Chad Johnson is putting his mouth where his heart is, guaranteeing he and the Bengals will hand Kansas City its first loss Sunday in Cincinnati.

The question is whether the Bengals would have been better off had Keyshawn’s cousin kept his mouth shut.

“When I was at the Rams and we played Cleveland in Cleveland, somebody said they were going to beat us,” Kansas City coach Dick Vermeil said. “I don’t know what the score was, but it wasn’t close.”

It was 34-3, Dick. And the game was in St. Louis.

But more relevant is that the Chiefs, who have won their first nine, might be taking the Bengals (4-5) more seriously because of Johnson’s prediction.

They should, even as six-point favorites.

These Bengals already have doubled last year’s win total and only are a game behind Baltimore in the moribund AFC North, making this game meaningful to them. And the Chiefs have to lose at some point.

Johnson is .500 as a prognosticator. Last season, he predicted the Bengals, then 0-7, would beat Houston. They did, 38-3. Alas, two weeks later, they lost after Johnson predicted a victory over Cleveland.

And there’s a certain logic to Johnson’s guarantee.

Cincinnati receiver Chad Johnson has predicted a Bengals win Sunday over Kansas City. Johnson, seen Nov. 9 in Cincinnati, has guaranteed victory over the Chiefs.

There’s really not much difference between the best (Kansas City) and the so-so, including the Bengals. The Chiefs have had no injuries and gotten big plays late to win three games they might have lost: to Baltimore, Denver and Green Bay.

This time?

With the Bengals trailing 28-21 and 15 seconds left, Jon Kitna finds Johnson for a touchdown. Marvin Lewis goes for the 2-point conversion, Kitna spots Johnson in the end zone and …

BENGALS, 29-28

Dallas (plus 4) at New England

It’s the third time Bill Parcells faces one of his old teams, this time against Bill Belichick, his right-hand man for 15 years. Tuna beat the Giants and Jets, but two of three isn’t bad.

PATRIOTS, 20-13

Pittsburgh (plus 4) at San Francisco (Monday night)

The Steelers broke a five-game losing streak against Arizona and they’re cocky?

San Francisco is 4-1 at home.

49ERS, 31-20

Green Bay (plus 4) at Tampa Bay

The loser has little hope of a wild card.

BUCS, 24-11

Washington (plus 6) at Carolina

Does anyone remember that Steve Spurrier once coached upstate at Duke?

PANTHERS 16-12

Baltimore (plus 6) at Miami

Good field, no hit — on both sides.

RAVENS, 6-3

New York Giants (plus 3 1/2) at Philadelphia

The Eagles don’t win easily, including the first game with the Giants. But they win.

EAGLES, 17-13

New York Jets (plus 6 1/2) at Indianapolis

The Jets won 41-0 in the playoffs last season.

COLTS, 41-0

Jacksonville (plus 10) at Tennessee

Tennessee’s feast continues.

TITANS, 35-13

Detroit (plus 10) at Seattle

Another coaching reunion: Mooch and Mike.

SEAHAWKS, 27-20

Minnesota (minus 4 1/2) at Oakland

The Raiders have lost their last five games, the Vikings have lost their last three.

No, not 5-3.

VIKINGS, 31-20

San Diego (plus 8) at Denver

Jake Plummer should be back. Doug Flutie, too.

BRONCOS, 26-17

St. Louis (minus 6) at Chicago

Depends on the weather.

RAMS, 24-9

Atlanta (plus 8 1/2) at New Orleans

Will the Falcons relax after finally getting No. 200 for Dan Reeves?

SAINTS, 37-20

Houston (plus 7) at Buffalo

The Bills play better at home.

BILLS, 17-15

Arizona (plus 6 1/2) at Cleveland

The Cardinals are awful on the road.

BROWNS, 20-3

• Last week: 6-7-1 (spread); 8-6 (straight up).

Overall: 81-59-4 (spread), 89-55 (straight up).