By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Chad Johnson had one more guarantee after the Bengals' 24-19 upset of Kansas City Sunday.

"I can predict that we will play well as a team," the Bengals wide receiver said.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Sunday's game

Johnson had guaranteed a Bengals victory over the previously undefeated Chiefs, and his teammates backed him up. Johnson, who had seven receptions for 74 yards, said he apologized to Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil before the game and spoke to some Chiefs players he knows.

"I let (Vermeil) know that it was strictly for my team, that it was to get us fired up," Johnson said.

Johnson also had apologized to his teammates for making a statement that could have motivated Kansas City. But did it motivate his teammates?

"No, yeah, of course," he said. "But if I hadn't guaranteed it, we still would have played the same."

Johnson had to go to the locker room in the third quarter to receive an IV because of leg cramps. He returned in the fourth quarter.

Chiefs wide receiver Dante Hall gave Johnson credit.

"It's sickening that he was able to back that up," Hall said. "... I tip my hat to that guy."

Johnson was 1-1 in guaranteed victories in 2002 and retires from the guarantees with a 2-1 record.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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