The wide receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson is now OFFICIALLY known as Chad Ochocinco.

But his ridiculous name change ain’t the story here. The story is on Ochocinco’s claim that the Cincinnati Bengals, a team that hasn’t made the postseason for quite some time, will finally be playoff-bound. He’s talking now before the 2009 NFL football season gets underway and the losses start piling up to prove him wrong again.

It’s ironic too that Chad Ochocinco is making such a claim this year. It was only last year when a disgruntled Ochocinco, (still referred to as Chad Johnson then…) was asking the Cincinnati Bengals for a trade.

If you missed it, Ochocinco was sick and tired of losing last year that he was ready to move on and leave the Cincinnati Bengals at the bottom of the AFC North. After another disappointing season in 2008, No.85 is still with the Bengals and for some reason, he now thinks that this team has a shot of finally making the playoffs.

”It’s going to be a great year; we’re going to the playoffs,” Chad Ochocinco guaranteed. ”We’re going, we’re making progress. I mean, I see it, and I can come out on a limb and say what we’re going to do.”

The last time the Bengals made the playoffs was during the 2005 season. Since then, Ochocinco had disappointing campaigns after disappointing campaigns. One talk with actor Denzel Washington and Ochocinco came back to the Bengals camp a new man, optimistic about their chances in 2009.

Yes, you read it right, he had a talk with Denzel Washington and according to Ochocinco himself, that talk put him back to his place.

”I need the fans to embrace me. I know people are mad at me. I read the message boards, but I’ve apologized 85 times,” Ochocinco said, sounding like a man whose fixation with the number 85 won’t be letting up soon.

”If they can embrace me, I can spread my wings and be myself. When they’re mad at me, I don’t know if I can be myself. I’m an emotional guy. I want them to know that I love them and I want to win. I want to be on point with everybody on the team and win. I know I’ve been frustrated when we haven’t won. Maybe now when I vent, I should just do it to the fans on the message boards.”

Ochocinco also claims that the Bengals have more talent this year than that 2005 Bengals team that made the postseason.

Which team will win Super Bowl XLIV? SPORTSBETTING.COM has the odds.

Pittsburgh Steelers 10-1

Arizona Cardinals 25-1

New England Patriots 4-1

Dallas Cowboys 12-1

Want more odds? Visit SPORTSBETTING.COM for more NFL betting odds. Want to watch the NFL live? Get NFL tickets online now.

Chad Ochocinco Cincinnati Bengals