NFL Playoff Preview: Kansas City Chiefs vs Cincinatti Bengals
This NFL Playoff Preview will show a rematch of a thrilling Week 18 Matchup. However, the stakes are raised much higher in this bout. The #2 seeded Kansas City Chiefs are once again hosting the AFC Title game as they welcome the upstart #4 seeded Cincinnati Bengals. Viewers will once again be treated to a thrilling duel at the quarterback position. Patrick Mahomes orchestrated a historic late-game comeback to snatch the win from Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Both quarterbacks were at their absolute best, but the Chiefs winning the coin toss ultimately sealed the overtime victory.
This time around, it will be Joe Burrow leading an exciting Bengals team who have burst out of their rebuild in fashion. A tight affair against the #1 seeded Tennesee Titans saw Evan McPherson call game with an incredible buzzer-beating field goal. It could come down to a battle of the kickers as well. Both McPherson and Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker were instrumental in their teams coming away with the win. Here are some keys to how both the Bengals and Chiefs could make their way to the Super Bowl.
How The Bengals Can Win
#1: Embrace the underdog
While Joe Burrow recently dumped the underdog narrative surrounding the Bengals, there isn’t much he can do here. Playing on the road at Arrowhead is a daunting task for any team. However, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, the pressure is dialed up to 11. Analysts thought that both the Raiders and Titans had a good shot of taking down the Bengals. However, that was not the case. Even if the Chiefs are heavy favorites to return to a third consecutive Super Bowl, the Bengals need not worry.
All Joe Burrow and company can do is drown out the noise and play their game. They are already playing with house money by even being here. Hosting a playoff game would probably already be considered a success. However, they will probably have a look-in against the Chiefs and must play at their best if they want any chance.
#2: PROTECT THE QUARTERBACK
This should go without saying. Despite being sacked NINE times by the Titans, Joe Burrow was able to keep making plays and ultimately put the Bengals in a position to win. Bengals fans can only imagine how this game will play out if the offensive line can manage to give up half of those 9 sacks. It’s a pretty simple chain reaction. If the line can hold its own, Burrow will be protected better. Burrow will not have to make mistakes or bad throws if protected better. If he can limit his mistakes, then he can keep his eyes downfield to his impressive arsenal of receivers. While it is a tall order, giving Burrow more time in the pocket could pay massive dividends for the Bengals.
#3: Get the Offense Going
The Bengals defense should take whatever they can get against Mahomes and the Chiefs’ nuclear arsenal. It could be 25, 30, or even 42 points that the top-rated Bills defense gave up. However, the Bills showed something important about the Chiefs. Matching their intensity and turning the game into a shootout is a viable way to compete. Like the Bills, Cinci has the weapons to do that. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd are already one of the NFL’s best receiving trios. If Tyrann Mathieu is unable to clear concussion protocol in time, then the Bengals could have a real shot at making this a nail-biter.
How The Chiefs Can Win
#1: Ride That Wave Of Momentum
Very few teams ever had the Chiefs on the ropes as the Bills did. Josh Allen and Gabriel Davis did some serious damage in the final 2 minutes of regulation. However, Patrick Mahomes showed why you can never count him out. With 13 seconds left, he was able to move 44 yards in 2 plays and set Butker up for the game-tying momentum. After the coin toss went their way, the game was over. With their backs against the wall, the Chiefs did something that will go down in football history. One of the ways to make everyone remember it would be by capping this season off with another Lombardi Trophy. The Red Sea was already deafening in the Divisional Round, so expect some serious decibel levels this Sunday.
#2: Just Play Your Game
Even though they opened up as historic betting favorites, the Chiefs just need to focus on the game. They know what is expected of them. Now all they can do is execute and show why they’re considered the team to beat. Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill were both at their best against Buffalo. The dynamic duo made big play after big play late in the game, with both scoring touchdowns after the two-minute warning. As long as they can do what they’ve been doing the whole season, they will control their destiny.
#3: Stop The Bleeding On Defense
Andy Reid should be very happy with the win. Reid will not be as happy to give up 36 points and nearly get eliminated. Potentially having the Honey Badger out with a concussion would be a tough pill to swallow. Regardless, Steve Spagnuolo will have to right the ship and make every play count. Keeping the Bengals around could be very dangerous, as they saw first-hand in their regular-season finale. Question marks on defense were one of the main reasons why Buffalo was seen as having a true chance at dethroning the Chiefs.
Once again, we could have a game for the ages on our hands. Or, the Bengals could come back down to Earth at the hands of the Chiefs on home-field. Regardless, this AFC Championship will be an exciting and important game to watch. Either the Chiefs Kingdom prevails once again, or the Bengals will prove they’re not just a fluke.
Prediction: 34-20 Chiefs
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