The Bengals are using converted FB Daniel Coats and J.P. Foschi at TE this season.  Neither of them is much of a receiver but they have helped the running game with their blocking as the Bengals are rushing for 127.7 yards per game and 4.3 yards per carry.  Coats has caught 12 passes for 118 yards (9.8 avg) and Foschi has caught 8 passes for 74 yards (9.3 avg) with 1 TD grab.  The Bengals were looking for a pass catching TE at the trade deadline but it just didn’t happen so they will be content to use Coats and Foschi the rest of the year.

24-year old Leon Hall has been outstanding this season for the Bengals giving them a true lockdown corner.  He has played in 7 games for the Bengals this season and he has 38 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 2 forced fumbles, 10 passes defensed and 3 interceptions.  Hall is playing at such a high level that opposing teams are starting to focus on the other side of the field rather than challenging him.

The Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) exploded against the Chicago Bears (3-3) on Sunday and pretty much had the victory in the bag at halftime.  It was an all-around team effort in this one for the Bengals, as Carson Palmer, Cedric Benson, Chad Ochocinco, and the entire Bengals’ defense all played great.  Palmer had five touchdowns and zero interceptions, getting 233 yards on 20/24 passes (83%).  Cedric Benson got revenge against his former team whom he did not part well with, getting 189 yards and a touchdown on 37 carries (5.1 avg).  Chad Ochocinco caught 10 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns.  The Bengals came out and proved they were the better team, but nobody expected this big of a win for them.  The Bears looked flat out bad.

The Bengals defense did a good job keeping the Bears out of the game, as the offense built a huge 31-3 lead at half.  They gave up one touchdown in the second half to Devin Hester.  Hester was the only effective offensive player for the Bears, finishing with 101 yards on eight catches and a touchdown.  The Bengals defense took Cutler out of the game, intercepting him three times.  He was obviously rattled and was not in any kind of rhythm, as he fumbled two snaps.  This was a big statement made by the Bengals, especially since this game was supposed to be pretty evenly matched.  Hopefully they can keep this momentum going, but they now have a bye week and the Baltimore Ravens are their next opponent so it will be difficult.

The Cincinnati Bengals (4-1) are at home Sunday against the Chicago Bears (3-2).  These are two pretty evenly matched teams and it should be a close game.  Some extra drama has been stirred up this week going into Sunday, as Cedric Benson has been voicing his poor opinion of the Bears and their coaching staff.  He feels that they “blackballed” him after releasing him.  Benson was a first round draft pick of the Bears four years ago and they expected him to do for them what he is doing for the Bengals this season.  Both sides seem like they are out for revenge, but I think this could end up hurting Benson’s effort.  He seems to focused on getting revenge, so he may try and do too much.  The Bears depleted defense is still pretty dangerous and I am sure they will try and send a message to Benson.

The Bengals offense needs to stop Jay Cutler and they will win.  Cutler is very prone to throwing interceptions, but he is also capable of making the big play as he has the gunslinger mentality.  The Bengals should be able to slow down the Bears running game, especially since their RB Matt Forte has been struggling all season.  That will put all the offensive load into Cutlers’ hands, and if they can get some pressure on him they can force some turnovers.  Johnny Knox and Devin Hester are big threats to go deep though, so the secondary needs to be aware of that.  Carson Palmer has proved he has what it takes to win close games, but I think the Bears will be able to slow him down and get a close win.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Chicago Bears 31, Cincinnati Bengals 27

25-year old Jonathan Joseph has been a solid player in his career for the Bengals and he’s doing it all over again in 2009.  He has played in all 6 games for the Bengals this season and he has 19 tackles, 5 passes defensed and 3 interceptions.  Joseph also has 83 yards returning his interceptions including one that he scored a TD on.  He has been one of the big reasons for the Bengals’ surprise start this season.