Bottom Bengals

Ochocinco says the Bengals are going to win the Super Bowl. Ocho is just good at getting people worked up. The 2010 Bengals, with their new circus act T.O., won't be sniffing the Super Bowl this year. They won't even be sniffing the playoffs.

It's not just TO coming in causing a media circus. He and Ocho are now "Bonnie and Clyde" and "Batman and Robin." Maybe on the reality TV circuit. If they want to get attention with their shenanigans, fine. Yuck and laugh it up. Make outrageous claims like how not winning the Super Bowl will be a "shame."

It's more than just two media whores that will keep the Bengals from the playoffs this year. It's the team's history. It's the schedule. It's last year. It's the team. Don't buy what Ocho is selling.

If you look at the Bengals under Marvin Lewis, who is entering his 8th year, you'll notice a trend of mediocrity. Not that Lewis is entirely to blame but he hasn't come close to producing back-to-back teams worth a damn.

Under Lewis:
2003: 8-8
2004: 8-8
2005: 11-5, won division
2006: 8-8
2007: 7-9
2008: 4-11-1, man that tie is an eye sore.
2009: 10-6, won division

Based on that history, the Bengals will be, at best, 8-8. The 2005 team was even better than last year's team, yet the following year they underachieved. And they had a much more potent offense in '05.

Now you have to look at their schedule for this year. It's the fourth-toughest in the league, based on opponent's record from 2009. Here are some noteworthy games: Week 1: @ New England.  Week 10: @ IND. Week 12: @ NYJ. Week 13: vs. NO. Week 16: vs. San Diego. Plus the divisional schedule.
Last year they went 6-0 vs. the AFC North. Does anybody think that could miraculously happen again? There is no way in hell they sweep their division again. Pittsburgh and Baltimore will definitely have something for them this year. Cleveland might even be able to pull one out on them. I say 3-3 in division this year, maybe 2-4.

The Bengals have too many people gunning for them this year. They are playing a first-place schedule. Teams want revenge. Teams don't want them back in the playoffs, especially Pittsburgh. The Bengals got a little too full of themselves last year and this off-season. Now they have Ocho predicting them to the Super Bowl.

One more thing: Carson Palmer is overrated. He's not in the elite group and never has been.

Final prediction: 2010 Bengals: 6-10. Check their schedule. Tell me where the wins are.