Ocho-Stinko, Money Marv, and T.O.: Are We Really Surprised The Bengals Are 2-10?

So, you want to know why the Cincinnati Bungles are sitting at 2-10? How much time do you have? Let's see.

Two of the most egotistical players in the history of professional sports, Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco are playing there. Their starting running back, Cedric Benson, only has a single 1,000 yard season in his career and has never played a full season since entering the NFL. Carson Palmer is a mediocre quarterback who hasn't lived up to the Heisman-hype since he was drafted first overall by the Bengals in 2003.  They have the 20th ranked defense in the league, and head coach Marvin Lewis, who is in the final year of his contract, has been on the hot seat since the middle of the season. And let's not forget the fact they are in the same division as the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Bengals opened the season against the Patriots in Foxborough and dropped an absolute bomb. Their defense which entered the season with so much promise, let Tom Brady throw for 258 yards and three touchdowns as the Bengals lost 38-24.

During weeks 2 and 3 their defense was in full effect as they took down the Ravens and Panthers, giving up a total of 17 points to both teams. Since then, the Bengals have been an absolute disaster. They haven't won a game since their week 3 victory against the hapless Panthers, and they're sitting in the cellar of the AFC North, three games behind their in-state rival Cleveland Browns for third place. They're defense blew a 31-14 first half lead against the struggling Bills, and a simple offsides call late in the game cost them Sunday against the Saints. They just find ways to lose.

Let's just be real. The Bengals are a bad team. But they're not as bad as everybody thinks. Out of their nine straight losses, seven of them have been by eight points or less. That's only a single possession! However, the Bengals have their bright spots. Off-season acquisition Terrell Owens has 961 yards and nine touchdowns, with four games remaining, and Cedric Benson is on track for a second-straight 1,000 yard season.

Despite these dim lights on an already dark season, the Bengals still have a tough road ahead of them. Three of their final four games are against teams with .500 records. Nobody knows what the future holds for Terrell Owens who only signed a one year deal. Since Owens's arrival in Cincinnati, his diva-receiver chronie, Chad Ochocinco, has been whining about being double teamed and not getting the ball. And the two of them seem to be more concerned with their television show ratings than winning on Sunday. Also, it's highly unlikely Marvin Lewis will return next season.

Oh well, unless the Panthers make some late-season noise, the Bengals will in all likelihood end up with the second overall pick in next year's draft. There is an ounce of hope in what is the Cincinnati Bengals; if there is a lockout, they won't have to go out and embarrass themselves every Sunday.