The Cincinnati Bengals (10-5) have already clinched the AFC North, but they could play spoilers to the New York Jets (8-7) on Sunday.  If the Jets win they are in the playoffs, if they lose they are out.  The Bengals should not pull too many starters unless the game is a blowout, and not just to try and spoil the Jets’ season.  They need to continue to build momentum and rhythm heading into the playoffs.  It looks like head coach Marvin Lewis feels the same way, saying the Bengals “can’t turn it on and off”.  Still, reports are coming out that Carson Palmer and other key starters may be getting a lot of rest on Sunday so who knows?   Chad Ochocinco and Cedric Benson will be playing with chips on their shoulders though, with both getting snubbed in the Pro Bowl.  Even if they play a lot, it will still be a challenge since the Jets defense gives up only 264 total yards per game.

Jets’ rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez has had a very inconsistent season this year, and has turned the ball over a lot.  The Bengals are good at slowing down the run, giving up only 88 rushing yards per game, so that could force Sanchez to throw more.  Thomas Jones has rushed for over 1,300 yards this season though, so it won’t be easy.  If they can contain Jones, it makes it more likely for the Bengals to get a turnover or two, as Sanchez has thrown 20 interceptions this season.  If the Bengals rest their starters, then the Jets will probably win this game.  With contradicting reports coming out on the topic, it is still too early to know.  Since the Jets are fighting for their playoffs lives and the possibility that the Bengals will rest some starters, I am going with the Jets in this one.

PREDICTION:  Cincinnati Bengals 17, New York Jets 27

The Cincinnati Bengals will be playing with very heavy hearts Sunday against the San Diego Chargers after the tragic death of their 26-year-old wide-receiver Chris Henry.  Unfortunately the Bengals can’t skip this one and they are going up against a very tough opponent.  Philip Rivers has already passed for over 3,500 yards this season and has 21 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions.  The Chargers have a very potent passing game that the Bengals defense needs to try and contain.  They also have LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles to worry about running the ball.  This will be a tough matchup for the Bengals defense.

The offense is going to need a big day to keep up with the Chargers scoring.  If Cedric Benson can run the ball like he has all year, it will give the Bengals a great shot.  He needs Carson Palmer to play much better than he did last week, as the quarterback failed to throw for 100 yards.  Hopefully he and Chad Ochocinco can hook up for a few big plays.  They will need some if they are going to take down the Chargers who have won eight in a row.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  San Diego Chargers 31, Cincinnati Bengals 21

This may be the top game of the week, as the Cincinnati Bengals (9-3) are on the road facing off against Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings (10-2).  The Bengals have won five of their last six, but they have not been playing the best football.  Most of their opponents have been pretty weak lately, and they have not been winning by large margins.  They lost to Oakland a few weeks ago and beat the Browns and Lions by 10 or less points.  The Bengals seem to play down to their opponents a little bit, so hopefully they will play up to their opponent this time.  Carson Palmer needs to limit his interceptions, but he cannot shy away from going for the big play.  Chad Ochocinco (or should I say Hachi Go) has been having a big year and has been making a lot of those big plays that will be needed in this one.  Cedric Benson should be the first option though, as the running back looked great in his return from a hip injury and Palmer is going to need some relief from the Vikings aggressive pass rush.

The Bengals defense is going up against a very well rounded offense.  They have a great quarterback in Brett Favre and a great running back in Adrian Peterson.  The Bengals defense has been great, holding teams to under 300 yards of total offense on average, but if they can get Brett Favre  to force the issue they can get some interceptions like the Cardinals did against them.  Also, as good as Adrian Peterson is, he leads running backs in fumbles, so the Bengals may have some turnover opportunities.  This should be a very exciting and close game, but the Vikings are such a strong team at home that I have to go with them.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Cincinnati Bengals 23, Minnesota Vikings 30

The Cincinnati Bengals (8-3) are hosting the Detroit Lions (2-9) Sunday, a team they should crush.  The Lions have a terrible offense and even worse defense.  They have a rookie as their quarterback in Mathew Stafford, who will be playing hurt against the Bengals this week.  That means the Lions are going to try to get their running game going, but I don’t see them having any success against the Bengals’ strong run defense that only gives up less than 82 rushing yards per contest.

Carson Palmer should have a big game against a Lions’ defense that gives up 281 passing yards on average.  The Bengals are also getting Cedric Benson back, who was the NFL’s leading rusher when he went out with a hip injury.  The Lions are better at stopping the run than the pass, but that’s not saying much.  They give up well over 100 yards per game, so the Bengals offense should be able to score a lot of points Sunday.  This should be an easy win for them.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Cincinnati Bengals 35, Detroit Lions 10

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

The Cincinnati Bengals (3-1) have a big challenge facing them, as they square off against the Baltimore Ravens (3-1) in Baltimore Sunday.  The Bengals have won three in a row after their heartbreaking loss in week one to the Broncos, but the Ravens and their defense are looking to put an end to the Bengals’ winning streak.  The Bengals will need to get running back Cedric Benson going or else Carson Palmer and the Bengals offense will be in big trouble.  The Ravens are holding teams to only 59 rushing yards per game, but Benson has been having a very good year so far with 4.4 yards per carry and his offensive line has been very strong.  The Ravens have won of the best defenses in the league though and are hungry for a win after a controversial loss to the New England Patriots.

The Ravens are not just a defensive team anymore, as their offense is very dangerous.  Second year quarterback Joe Flacco has been playing great for the Ravens as he as already thrown for 1,103 yards with eight touchdowns and only three picks.  Flacco has shown he will try and force the ball at times though, so the Bengals need to attack and pressure him.  The Bengals defense has not been doing a very good job at stopping the run, as they are giving up 103 yards per game on the ground.  The Ravens have been great running the ball with the tandem of Ray Rice and Willis McGahee, so the Bengals look like they are in trouble in that aspect.  Carson Palmer has been a good leader down the stretch of games, but has been inconsistent so far this year.  The Ravens look like they have a better match-up in almost every aspect of the game, so I think the Bengals are going to have a very difficult time coming out with a win.  The Ravens defense is too strong and their running game looks like it will run all over the Bengals’ defense, so I think the Ravens are going to take this one.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Cincinnati Bengals 13, Baltimore Ravens 31

The Bengals have a tough schedule this season and they didn’t fix the defense enough to win half of their games in 2008.  I actually think that the Bengals will likely win 7 games this season so I can’t recommend with confidence to take the under even though that’s the way I’m leaning.

I like the Bengals this season.  Carson Palmer’s knee will not be an issue this season and that’s bad news for the AFC North.  Look for WRs Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh to have huge seasons without Chris Henry the first half of the season.  Also, look for Rudi Johnson to have another outstanding season.  The problem with the Bengals this season is that their defense is going to stink……bad.  But, the offense will save the day in Cincinnati as they win 10 or more games in 2007.

The over/under for the Cincinnati Bengals is 9 wins.  The Bengals are 19-1 to win the Super Bowl, and 11-1 to win the AFC.

I think the bookies are right on the money.  I see the Bengals winning 9 games this season, because they have a tough schedule this year.  I might suggest a small play on them to win the AFC, which they might have done last year if the Steelers didn’t cheap shot Carson Palmer.

On October 1st (week four) the New England Patriots invade the Jungle.  Unbelievable as it may seem the last five times the Pats have played in the Queen City….the Cats have covered.  And in the last eight overall, the Bengals are 7-0-1 against the spread vs. New England.  If Carson Palmer is healthy……bet on the Bengals.