Chad Johnson Ochocinco Era

Lore & Background

The head coach was Marvin Lewis, who had coached the team since 2003. He was chosen by the Associated Press as its NFL Coach of the Year following the season. Lewis was recognized for turning around the Bengals in the face of serious off-the-field adversity. First, three players were personally affected by the tsunami that hit American Samoa in late September. Shortly after this disaster, Vikki Zimmer, the wife of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, unexpectedly died. Finally, wide receiver Chris Henry, who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 9, died in December from injuries suffered when he fell from the back of a pickup truck during a domestic dispute.

Reader's Guide

The Bengals began their season with a Week 1 loss to the Denver Broncos, then won at Green Bay for the first time in franchise history in Week 2. They defeated the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3 for their first home victory against the Steelers since 2001. In Week 4, they won in overtime against the Cleveland Browns, earning the nickname 'Cardiac Cats' for pulling through in the clutch. In Week 5, they beat the Baltimore Ravens to take the division lead, with Cedric Benson snapping the Ravens defense's 40-game streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher.

Did You Know?

• Marvin Lewis was named NFL Coach of the Year by the Associated Press after the 2009 season.
• Three Bengals players—Jonathan Fanene, Rey Maualuga, and Domata Peko—had family affected by the tsunami that hit American Samoa in late September 2009.
• Wide receiver Chris Henry died in December 2009 from injuries suffered in a fall from a pickup truck during a domestic dispute.