2009 Prediction For The Cincinnati Bengals: 8-8

My prediction for the 2009 Cincinnati Bengals is ocho and ocho (English: 8-8) and a lot of that depends on Chad Ochocinco and how interested he becomes. Fans who suffered through the 2008 season will smile at my optimism but the 2009 schedule seems friendlier this year.

All indications are this will be a solid year for Carson Palmer with a revamped offensive line to give him time to check and recheck his options. RB Cedric Benson is expected to have a 1,000+ yard season. Mike Zimmer is closing the defensive gaps with vets like Roy Williams. And agent Drew Rosenhaus reports that Ochocinco is in the best shape of his career, which is good news for the Bengals since he has skipped all mandatory workouts. But then what else would an agent say...via Twitter, of course.

Here are my week-by-week predictions:

Week 1 vs. Denver at home: The Josh McDaniels era begins with a Bronco loss. Bengals defense will take care of QB Kyle Orton. (1-0)

Week 2 vs. Green Bay at Lambeau Field: With or without the frozen tundra, the Bengals will lose this close game with the edge going to the fans of Lambeau. This will be the first test for the newly fashioned Bengals offensive line. (1-1)

Week 3 vs. Pittsburgh at home: The Steelers will visit Cincinnati early and will take the first of two games, sweeping the Bengals this season and taking the AFC North trophy home. Note: this game starts at 4:15 p.m. (1-2)

Week 4 vs. Cleveland at Cleveland Browns Stadium: The Bengals meet another newly-hired head coach in Eric Mangini and will win this one for the first of their sweep of the Browns and Brady Quinn. (2-2)

Week 5 vs. Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium: This game was a toss-up for me but Joe Flacco was impressive last year and has the line protection to continue to impress. One question: Will we see their first-round draft pick, the famous Michael Oher, the subject of Michael Lewis' book, Blindside? (2-3)

Week 6 vs. Houston at home: The Texans have a tough early schedule starting with the Steelers along with the Titans, Jaguars and Colts before they visit Cincinnati. I predict a Bengal win. (3-3)

Week 7 vs. Chicago at home: Lovie Smith will have the sharp shooting QB Jay Cutler in championship form by the seventh week of the season. (3-4)

Week 8, BYE WEEK: Perfect timing for a Bye Week, right smack in the middle of the schedule.

Week 9 vs. Baltimore at home: See Week 5. (3-5)

Week 10 vs. Pittsburgh at Heinz Field: See Week 3. (3-6)

Week 11 vs. Oakland at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum: The Bengals meet their third new coach of the season in Tom Cable, marking his first full season after taking over for Lane Kiffin last year. JaMarcus Russell has not seen success in his two years in the pros and the Bengals defense will contain his pass/run attack. (4-6)

Week 12 vs. Cleveland at home: Fans will be fired up to welcome the Browns and I give the edge to Carson & Co. with the long ball that will not be matched by the Men from Up North. (5-6)

Week 13 vs. Detroit at home: Bengals fans will welcome another new coach, Jim Schwartz, who was handed the reins of the 2008 winless Lions earlier this year. We may get to see #1 NFL Draft pick Matthew Stafford; regardless, Bengals get the win. (6-6)

Week 14 vs. Minnesota at the Metrodome: The Bengals will continue their winning streak and take it to four games with a late season appearance in Minnesota, with or without Brett Favre. Their run defense will give the Bengals trouble but the Bengals' long ball offense will prevail in this squeaker. (7-6)

Week 15 vs. San Diego at Qualcomm Stadium: This will be the toughest test for the Bengals, aside from their AFC North foes. The nod goes to Norv Turner and Philip Rivers. (7-7)

Week 16 vs. Kansas City at home: Barring a Pittsburgh implosion, I won't be writing about playoff possibilities at the end of December. The Bengals will bring home a winner over Kansas City to deliver hope of the first winning record since 2005. (8-7)

Week 17 vs. New York Jets at Giants Stadium: The Mark Sanchez Era begins in the Big Apple. A Jets win puts the Bengals at .500. (8-8)