Chad Johnson may have been the one who guaranteed a victory, but it was his Bengals teammates who backed it up. Sunday's 24-19 victory over the previously unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs shocked sports fans across the nation, marking an unofficial end to the decade-plus parlor game of crafting Bengal jokes. It was a huge image boost for the team - and for Cincinnati, which like the Bengals has rebounded this year.

It gets better. With Baltimore's 9-6 loss to Miami, the Bengals find themselves in first place in the AFC North. First place. Savor it. Roll it around on your tongue a while, like a fine wine that's been aging for 13 years - since the Bengals last made the playoffs.

First-year coach Marvin Lewis, who said his aim was to "bring the NFL back (to Cincinnati)," has worked his will on a team that for years hasn't believed - and hasn't been in shape to back up any boasts.

The Lewis method has worked on the fans, too. Sunday, it was obvious that The Jungle finally has returned - rather, has set up shop in the Bengals' new digs, Paul Brown Stadium. These fans smelled blood. The sellout - unusual for game not involving a division rival - brought a stadium-record crowd of 64,923.

In nearby parking lots before the game, they engaged in the usual tailgate grilling and cornhole games. But there was more - extra-cranked heavy metal blasting from SUVs, extra-intense yelling and "Who-dey" cheers. The mood was fierce.

Maybe it carried over to Bengals, who played some mean, focused, error-free football against the NFL's top team. Peter Warrick's two touchdowns made the difference. But this was a team achievement. As Warrick said of the blocking on his punt return, "Everybody did their job."

In retrospect, Chad Johnson's "guarantee" was more cunning than it appeared. Most thought it would just anger the Chiefs, but the real effect was to motivate his teammates to "get his back." "They didn't leave me hanging in the wind," Johnson said.

This new chemistry is also apparent among the fans. Tailgaters lingered for hours after the game, and "Who-dey"s echoed along the streets of downtown into the evening. Whatever else transpires on the field this season, it's a new day for the Bengals and their fans. Guaranteed.