NEWSLETTER
We’re treated to a phenomenal AFC Championship game for the second consecutive postseason. The Kansas City Chiefs host the Cincinnati Bengals. Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes go head-to-head. It’s time for a Chiefs vs Bengals Preview and Prediction.
This will be the third time since last year’s AFC title game that we’ve seen these two teams square off. In all three matchups, Burrow and the Bengals have got the better of Mahomes and the Chiefs. All three games, however, were incredibly close, with the Bengals winning by 3 points in each.
Both teams come into the AFC Championship game with some injury concerns. The Bengals’ offensive line is quite banged up but held up against Buffalo last week. As for K.C., Patrick Mahomes is expected to play after suffering a high ankle sprain against Jacksonville.
This should be an awesome game.
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How to Watch the Chiefs vs Bengals Game
Key Matchups
Let’s take a look at a few key matchups to watch out for in this game. These two teams know each other very well, so there are not many new things to look out for that we haven’t seen before. Let’s dive in.
Chiefs DL vs Bengals OL
This one is obvious but needs to be mentioned. The Bengals OL was their Achilles heel last season and ultimately led to their Super Bowl loss to the Rams. This year after some additions it was much improved, but down the stretch has been decimated by injury.
The Cincinnati offensive line held up fine against Buffalo last week, but this week presents a more significant challenge. They go up against one of the best interior defensive lines in football: Chris Jones. There’s no more significant disruptor for QBs than interior defensive line pressure. Just ask the Bengals about Aaron Donald in last year’s Super Bowl.
Jones is so good in pass rush but also stopping the run. Check out below from last week’s game against the Jaguars how easily he sheds a block and makes a stop.
If Jones can be that disruptive in the middle, Kansas City has a great chance to move on to the Super Bowl
Bengals Pass Rush vs Patrick Mahomes
Patrick did a great job breaking down this matchup earlier this week. He highlighted how vital it was for the Bengals to be able to get home with just four pass rushers. I’ll emphasize that here. The Chiefs thrive on their quick passing game, mainly the Mahomes to Travis Kelce combination. In Week 13, Cincy shut that down.
By only having to commit three or four players to rush Mahomes, the Bengals can drop seven and blanket Kelce. With Mahomes’ high ankle sprain, the ability to improvise will likely be diminished. If Mahomes can’t improvise as well, Cincinnati can give the Chiefs’ offense big problems with 7 or 8 in coverage.
Chiefs vs Bengals Prediction
This Chiefs vs. Bengals pick is so hard, mainly because of the Mahomes injury. It’s tough to believe Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid will lose four straight to the same team.
That said, playoff Joe Burrow is a thing. His only playoff loss came in last year’s Super Bowl. He’s proven time and again that no environment rattles him. He truly has been Joe Cool.
No matter Sunday’s outcome, I think we’ll see these two go at it in many AFC title games to come.
Final Score: Bengals 30, Chiefs 27
