OAKLAND, Calif. — Chad Ochocinco sent deodorant to the Baltimore Ravens before a key AFC North showdown to pump himself up for the big game.

The fun-loving Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver wanted to send mustard to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week because they would never “ketchup” in the game before coach Marvin Lewis nixed that idea.

With a game against the struggling Oakland Raiders next up on Cincinnati's schedule, Ochocinco has no plans for any gimmicks.

“I'm just coming to give the Black Hole the best show they've ever seen,” he said. “I'm not sure if they've really had much to look forward to this year. But man, we're coming to town. It will for sure be a circus.”

Coming off emotional victories over Chicago, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, it would only be natural if the Bengals (7-2) came down a little bit emotionally heading into Sunday's game against the Raiders (2-7).

With home games against Cleveland (1-8) and Detroit (1-8) to follow, this is by far the easiest stretch of Cincinnati's schedule. Winning these three games will be crucial in the Bengals' bid to win the division and earn a first-round playoff bye.

“We're supposed to beat these type of teams,” safety Chris Crocker said. “That's how we approach it. This could be one of those games where people expect the Cincinnati Bengals to fall flat on our faces.”

The Bengals were in the Raiders' position the past few years, looking to play spoiler against a contender at the end of yet another lost season. Cincinnati even finished a half-game behind the Raiders a year ago, before turning it around behind a revamped defense and revived running game led by Cedric Benson.

That revival gives hope to the Raiders, who are in the midst of an even longer stretch of ineptitude. Oakland is on pace for its seventh straight 11-loss season, extending its own record for futility.

It's on defense where the Raiders concern the Bengals. Oakland has at times been dominating on defense, most notably shutting down Philadelphia's high-powered offense in October. But then there are times where teams have run right through the Raiders like the Jets did the following week.

“I can't for the life of me understand how they are not winning,” Ochocinco said. “I don't get it. Because what I see on film, the record does not show. Because they look a lot better than their record shows, so I'm not understanding what's going on.”