As we review the Cincinnati Bengals AFC North Odds for 2008 you can clearly see that they have no problem on the offensive side of the ball past few years.  Their defense needs to improve dramatically or they aren't going anywhere.

The Cincinnati Bengals  were 7-9 last year.  Much of that can be attributed to the fact that their defense gave up 24.1 points per game.  The Bengals couldn't stop anyone on defense.  They do have lots of youth right now on defense with 10 starters with less then 5 years experience.  The secondary was bad all season last year, they love to blitz, but they can’t match up down the field.  Corner back Deltha O'Neal lead the team with 16 pass backups last season despite reduced to the number 3 corner.  The good thing about O'Neal is he is entering the last season of his contract and wants to have a big year so he can have a big payday.  The Bengals signed linebacker Keith Rivers, he was the top pick this year and is one of four college captains in draft class.  It seems as though Rivers is a can't-miss prospect who will pan out.  With any kind of defense at all, the Bengals are a playoff team with or without Chad Johnson.  The Cincinnati Bengals have a young but promising secondary that includes two first-round corners in Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph so maybe the front seven can make the necessary changes needed to defend the run.  The AFC North Betting Odds at Bodoglife.com currently have the Cincinnati Bengals 40/1 to win the 2009 Superbowl,

Cincinnati has two top receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh who set franchise records the past few years combined receiving yards.  The duo accounted for 2,583 of the 4,131 yards QB Carson Palmer threw.  Look for Houshmandzadeh to have another big year, this is the last year of his contract and wants to get paid the big bucks.  Who knows what's going to happen with Johnson, he just could be a distraction to the team.  He will get his number though.  If The Bengals could get a couple more players as reliable options they could be dynamic on offense.  The AFC North Betting Odds at Bodoglife.com currently have the Cincinnati Bengals 7/2 to win 2008/09 AFC North Division. 

They should have traded wide receiver Chad Johnson, but they didn't.  Johnson has been asking for a trade since the end of last season.  The Bengals refused, and Johnson has threatened to sit out the season if he's not dealt to another team.  The question is this season; will he tear the locker room apart?  In June Johnson had his troublesome right ankle, and they cleaned out.   He is expected to be ready for the start of training camp on July 27.  I wonder how Chad's going to react to the boo's he's going to hear during the season opener, because believe me they are going to be booing.  As far as loyal Bengals are concerned, Ocho Cinco is a joke.  He's a fair-weather fan of his own organization.  Replacing his agent is the only way I see him salvaging his reputation.  If Bengals new wideouts can live up to expectations, I say they trade him.  

Get the latest NFL betting odds in real time from the internet’s best online sportsbooks. Watch up-to-the-minute lines moves and get the best odds to win with your online sports picks.

---