Cincinnati Bengals 2010 NFL Predictions: Only a handful of football fans predicted the Bengals to win the AFC North last year and all of them live in southwest Ohio. With the Steelers and Ravens, the previous season's AFC Championship Game participants, in the division ranks, Cincinnati was an afterthought. However, Marvin Lewis got the most out of his squad and surprised almost everyone in the country with a 10-6 record. Based upon the latest 2010 NFL Predictions at Sportsbook.com the Bengals efforts a season ago meant little as the team is listed at +400 moneyline odds to repeat as division winner.
When the defensive minded Marvin Lewis first arrived in Cincinnati, the team had some high-powered offensive pieces in 
place. Lewis took advantage of that fact and watched the Bengals average nearly 24 points per game in the first five years of his tenure. That offense has slowed of late, though, putting up an average of 15.9 points per game over the past two seasons. Fortunately for Lewis, his defense finally showed up in 2009 and in a big way.
Cincinnati ranked fourth in the league last year in yards per game allowed at 301.4 and sixth in points per game allowed at 18.2, leading to the team's first place finish in the North. Almost the entire unit returns this season, including linebackers Keith Rivers, Dhani Jones, and Rey Maualuga. Also back is defensive end Antwan Odom, who had eight sacks before rupturing his Achilles tendon in a week six meeting with the Texans. The Bengals also added free agent cornerback Adam Jones and drafted Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap with its second round pick.
Cincinnati's offense improved upon 2008's wretched production (12.8 points per game), but was still a far cry from the glory days of the early Lewis era. The team ranked 24th in yards per game and 22nd in scoring, despite having Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco on the roster. The front office brought in more weapons this offseason to continue the uptick, drafting tight end Jermaine Gresham with its first round pick and signing free agent wide receiver Antonio Bryant.
The ground game, which was the strength of the offense last season, ranking ninth in the league in rushing at 128.5 yards per game, may be without Cedric Benson (1251 rush yards in 2009) for a while. The troubled running back was arrested in June for punching a bartender in the face.
Cincinnati Bengals 2010 NFL Predictions: 9-7, Second Place AFC North. The Bengals defense should again be one of the best in the league and the offense should improve upon last year's numbers; however, Cincy's schedule is a nightmare. In addition to four games against the Ravens and Steelers, the Bengals also face the Patriots, Panthers, Falcons, Dolphins, Colts, Jets, Saints, and Chargers.
Sportsbook.com Cincinnati Bengals 2010 NFL Predictions:
Odds to Win the AFC North +400 (three of four)
Odds to Win the AFC Championship +2500 (10 of 16)
Odds to Win the Super Bowl +5000 (20 of 32)
Regular Season Win Total: Over 7.5 (-150), Under 7.5 (+130)
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