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.

The Bengals have brought back 26-year old DT Orien Harris who they traded during the off season to the Rams for RB Brian Leonard.  Harris was then traded to the Lions before the year started but he was let go before playing in any games for them.  Harris played in 14 games (1 start) for the Bengals last season and he had 14 tackles.  This was a depth signing for the Bengals as Harris projects as nothing more than a backup.

The Bengals have lost starting DE Antwan Odom for the season due to a torn ACL.  This is a HUGE blow to the Bengals as he was having a career year for them.  He finishes his season with 19 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 tackle for a loss and 2 passes defensed.  Rookie 3rd round pick Michael Johnson (Georgia Tech) will likely replace Odom in the starting lineup.  He has 9 tackles and 2 passes defensed this season.  Johnson will have to step up especially when rushing the passer as Odom was the best player on the Bengals’ D.

The Bengals got beat up against the Texans yesterday afternoon in the Jungle.  The Texans jumped on the Bengals quickly likely taking them out of their gameplan which was likely to run the football early and often.  Carson Palmer completed 23 of 35 passes for 259 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 interception yesterday but he didn’t have any 4th quarter magic.  Cedric Benson carried the ball 16 times for 44 yards (2.8 ypc) yesterday.  Chad Ocho Cinco led the way for the Bengals yesterday with 103 yards receiving on 5 catches (20.6 avg).  Andre Caldwell was also busy for the Bengals in this game with six catches for 57 yards (9.5 avg).  Laveranues Coles even woke up from his deep sleep this season to catch 4 passes for 40 yards (10.0 avg) with a TD.  The Bengals finished up with 295 total yards on offense in this game (46 rushing, 250 passing) as they only had the ball for 23:45.

The Bengals did not play well on defense in this game.  CB Leon Hall (12 tackles, 1 pass defensed), LB Dhani Jones (11 tackles) and safety Chinedum Ndukwe (10 tackles) were the players working the hardest on defense for the Bengals yesterday.  The Texans finished up with 472 total yards in this game (87 rushing, 385 passing)!  The Bengals fell to 4-2 on the season which has them now tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for first place in the AFC North.

This should be a interesting football game on Sunday afternoon.  During even numbered weeks this season the Texans are 2-0 outscoring teams 60-37 while the Bengals have won four games in a row.  The Texans will likely pass first in this game as they are getting very frustrated with the running game.  That means it will be up to Matt Schaub and his receivers to move the ball against the Bengals’ D.  If Schaub has time to throw the ball he will be really effective and that means the O-Line will have to slow down DE Antwan Odom who has 8 sacks this season.  The Bengals are allowing 222.8 yards passing per game this season so they are vulnerable to the passing game.  WRs Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter will stretch the field to give TE Owen Daniels the opportunity to get a lot of room to run the short stuff.  If the Texans get the lead in this game then they will likely get RB Steve Slaton involved in the game to attempt to protect their own defense which is not too good.

The Bengals will come out of the locker room handing the ball to Cedric Benson early and often.  He has 487 yards rushing (4.4 ypc) so far this season and the Texans are allowing 140.8 yards rushing per game and 5.2 yards per carry.  Riding Benson helps the Bengals out two fold as it keeps the clock going and it keeps Texans’ QB Matt Schaub on the bench.  WRs Chad Ocho Cinco and Andre Caldwell will run the short stuff in this game but look out for Chris Henry deep on play action.  Carson Palmer is a closer playing his best ball in the 4th quarter and this game will likely come right down to the end before a winner is crowned.  The Texans give up 222.2 yards passing per game this season so look for Palmer to pull this game out late.

PREDICTION:  BENGALS 30, TEXANS 27

Carson Palmer saves his best for last as he has seemed to coast for the first three quarters of games this season before exploding in the final quarter.  Palmer’s overall numbers are not that great but the most important numbers to the Bengals are 4-1.  They are very happy to have Palmer back healthy and leading the way for them on offense.  Palmer has completed 97 of 168 passes (57.7%) for 1,116 yards with 7 TD passes and 6 INTs (76.9 QB Rating).  I look for his numbers to improve as the season goes on as he appears to still be shaking off some rust.