The Bengals didn’t show much at all last week as they got pounded 37-0 by the Jets while they were resting some players.  Look for a different team to show up tomorrow in the Jungle.  The Bengals will likely tighten up the chin straps on offense and turn Cedric Benson loose against a Jets’ D that only allowed 98.6 yards rushing and 3.8 yards per carry this season.  Remember though, Benson has had success against run defenses that are better than the Jets this year.  With Chad Ocho Cinco likely being covered all game long by CB Darrelle Revis the Bengals might look to use other receivers more tomorrow.  Watch for TE J.P. Foschi over the middle against the Jets’ safeties as he has earned Carson Palmer’s trust.  Also, look for the Bengals to use a lot of three receiver sets with Andre Caldwell and Laveranues Coles getting a lot of targets.  I expect Carson Palmer to get his fair share of passing yards in the Jungle tomorrow afternoon.

Defensively the Bengals need to go all out to stop the Jets’ running game with led the league averaging 172.3 yards rushing and 4.5 yards per carry.  That will be easier said than done as DTs Tank Johnson and Domata Peko will have to keep the linebackers clean to get to the running backs.  If the Bengals can stop the Jets on first and second down they will be in business because Mark Sanchez will have a hard time beating the corners.  Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall will likely be all over Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery as they fell jilted by not making the Pro Bowl. 

PREDICTION:  BENGALS 20, JETS 17

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 Bengals should be able to get back on track this Sunday against the pitiful Chiefs.  Cedric Benson should really take advantage of the very soft run defense of the Chiefs which is allowing 162.6 yards rushing and 4.8 yards per carry.  When Benson needs a rest or the Bengals are winning by a comfortable margin look for Larry Johnson to thrash his old team.  The Chiefs only have 19 sacks this season so Carson Palmer should have enough time to slice up the secondary like a surgeon.  Look for Chad Ocho Cinco to be dancing in the end zone a couple of time this weekend.

The Chiefs have been running the ball well lately with Jamaal Charles so the defense will likely focus on stopping him.  They should be able to handle Charles as they are only allowing 85.2 yards rushing per game and 3.8 yards per carry.  The Bengals are not a team that blitzes too much but they might change that for this game as Chiefs’ QBs have been sacked 44 times this season.  Matt Cassel has proven this year that he will throw into coverage when he has a pass rush in his face so look for Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph to make some big plays on Sunday.

PREDICTION:  BENGALS 27, CHIEFS 13

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