Weather forecast: 40f, Partly Cloudy, 3mph N winds

Line: Chiefs -7, Over/Under: 54.5

Trends:
Chiefs:
Kansas City are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games.
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Kansas City’s last 7 games.
Kansas City are 11-1 SU in their last 12 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Kansas City’s last 12 games against Cincinnati.
Kansas City are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Kansas City’s last 7 games when playing at home against Cincinnati.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas City’s last 5 games this season.
Kansas City are 8-1 SU in their last 9 games against an opponent in the American Football Conference conference.
Kansas City are 10-2 SU in their last 12 games against an opponent in the American Football Conference North division.
Kansas City are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games played on a Sunday.

Bengals:
Cincinnati are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati’s last 7 games.
Cincinnati are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games.
Cincinnati are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games against Kansas City.
Cincinnati are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games against Kansas City.
Cincinnati are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games on the road.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cincinnati’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Kansas City.
Cincinnati are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games this season.
Cincinnati are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games against an opponent in the American Football Conference conference.
Cincinnati are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games against an opponent in the American Football Conference West division.

Against the Spread:
[IMG]https://scontent.fmci1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/272693928_5376604189033932_2823233931502624554_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=qY6ixd19L3MAX_O0KZK&_nc_ht=scontent.fmci1-4.fna&oh=00_AT-D6aJWQLkR5DMcFWzDxA0PV8_XZg8ozEt4q6p-1F3h9g&oe=61FA74C1[/IMG]

Last 10 Games Head-2-Head:
[IMG]https://scontent.fmci1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/272854366_5376604195700598_6727531660249767769_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=D5NiRECXHWEAX_JOwGu&_nc_oc=AQlTkfbn5ZAH9_SKxsZFj3oTVZB4gge8UJBp4Vk__p0h2rUb5vbDDUQraPaTrykuwuEmtqRt71HTLJ-4iOKWJdfc&tn=CiCY3fvTpWrEQu5X&_nc_ht=scontent.fmci1-4.fna&oh=00_AT–lrgeIf9bzFgcRd4OQudDr1I6omrbCGGj4OdTeB8HaA&oe=61FB0C3D[/IMG]

Notable Quotables:
Chiefs:

“When it’s grim, be the Grim Reaper. Go get it. So, [Mahomes] did that. He made everybody around him better, which he’s great at, and he just does it effortlessly. When it gets tough, he’s going to be there battling, and players appreciate that.”

–Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid

Bengals:

“You’ve got to respect the speed, because it’s like a roadrunner, we call them, and they just keep on rolling. …
That’s why this team is so dynamic. … It’s a unique group that they have, and it’s a challenge for sure. We rise up to it and we’re ready to take it on for sure.”

–Bengals Safety Vonn Bell

OddsShark Super Computer Prediction:
[IMG]https://scontent.fmci1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/272951395_5376875685673449_1277611940416256929_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=wMzXu9BYnhwAX-h5HGG&_nc_ht=scontent.fmci1-4.fna&oh=00_AT_t1bzGxG0VKLVTpIGfdRa_BwHDGuB5ddXEK1flG_FLjA&oe=61FAC03D[/IMG]

Injury Report:
[IMG]https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/kc.png&h=100&w=100[/IMG]
K. Saunders DT Undisclosed
Probable
R. Fenton CB Back
Probable
T. Mathieu S Concussion
Questionable
D. Williams RB Toe
Questionable
L. Niang T Pectoral
OUT for season
M. Remmers T Knee
IR
J. Fortson TE Achilles
IR
J. Kaindoh DE Ankle
IR

[IMG]https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/cin.png&h=100&w=100[/IMG]
M. Daniels DT Groin
Probable
J. Tupou DT Knee
Questionable
S. Morgan WR Hamstring
Doubtful
C. Sample DE Groin
Doubtful
J. Evans LB ACL
OUT
X. Su’a-Filo G Knee
IR
D. Phillips CB Shoulder
IR
A. Tate WR Thigh
IR
A. Davis-Gaither LB Foot
IR
J. Ossai DE Knee
IR
D. Smith T Knee
IR
R. Reiff T Ankle
IR; is out for season
L. Ogunjobi DT Foot
IR; is out for season
J. Bachie LB ACL
IR; is out for season

Team Leaders:
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[IMG]https://scontent.fmci1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/272932791_5376604485700569_1047369192249646254_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=1YNitPyBWgIAX_vJTod&_nc_ht=scontent.fmci1-3.fna&oh=00_AT9hcrpg3G8IRohCf-xHmn1LIf7-fQ68WiUDsG1l1kR_cQ&oe=61FB50AC[/IMG]

Expert’s Picks:
[IMG]https://scontent.fmci1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/272969817_5376604519033899_3573962803029250247_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=-snWkVFfhXYAX-abbt9&_nc_ht=scontent.fmci1-4.fna&oh=00_AT9cR_ZsvjF_5iq5A7z48318rvK4O0PQXsHo31taDAm0ZQ&oe=61FB6EC2[/IMG]

Prisco’s Pick:
[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD][IMG]http://chiefscrowd.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=884&d=1484473553&thumb=1[/IMG][/TD]
[TD][TABLE]
[TR]
[TD]It was in Week 17 that we saw the Bengals beat the Chiefs,
34-31, in a classic offensive shootout that the Bengals won
in the final seconds on a field goal by Evan McPherson.
Sound familiar?

The Bengals lit up the Chiefs defense that day, as Ja’Marr
Chase caught 11 passes for 266 yards. The Bengals
destroyed the Kansas City blitz. The Chiefs got pressure
that day against Joe Burrow, sacking him three times with
Chris Jones getting two of those. But Burrow has been
outstanding against the blitz all season — Kansas City’s main
style of defense — and he has especially been good when he
empties the backfield.

Coming off a nine-sack game last week against the Titans,
that would seem risky this week. But that also leaves
one-on-one situations outside for Chase and Tee Higgins and
Tyler Boyd in the slot.

As for the Bengals defense, they limited Tyreek Hill and Travis
Kelce to 11 catches for 65 yards and a touchdown in the last
meeting. They would gladly take that again, but that’s unlikely.
The Bengals have had issues against tight ends this season.
The key will be the protection up front for the Chiefs in front
of Mahomes. It was good last week against the Bills, but the
Bengals have better edge rushers. The matchup featuring left
tackle Orlando Brown vs. Trey Hendrickson will be the big one
to watch. Brown didn’t play in the last game.

This will be another game about the two quarterbacks. Both
will have success throwing it and both will roll up big numbers.
In the end, the Chiefs are the better team, but it will be close.
It will go down to the wire, but Kansas City will be moving on.
[/TD]
[TD]

Chiefs 34
Bengals 34[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Game Preview
From Chiefs.com
[TABLE=”width: 350″]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Matt McMullen
Community & Digital Media Producer
Chiefs.com
@KCChiefs_Matt[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

~~~continued form previous post

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor watches during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

STAR POWER

The two teams combined to send nine players to the Pro Bowl this season, six from Kansas City and three from Cincinnati, and there’s another half-dozen players from each team that probably had a good argument to make it.

As it stands, the Chiefs have Mahomes joining wide receiver Tyreek Hill, tight end Travis Kelce, defensive tackle Chris Jones and safety Tyrann Mathieu along with new left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. The Bengals are sending Chase along with running back Joe Mixon and defensive end Trey Hendrickson.

Of course, players for the winner Sunday will be heading to the Super Bowl instead.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) leaps for a first down against Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Jayon Brown (55) during the second half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

DYNAMIC DUO

Burrow and Chase are 6-0 when playing together in postseason games, including their four games together at LSU, when Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was a teammate. Burrow has averaged 381.8 yards passing with 22 TD throws during those six games, while Chase is averaging 106.8 yards receiving and has four of the scores.

KEEPING JOE CLEAN

Figuring out how to better protect Burrow has been a priority for the Bengals this week. They’ve struggled all season, especially against the better pass-rushing teams, and Burrow was sacked a stunning nine times by Tennessee.

“There’s a lot of things that play into it, starting with me putting him in the best position, putting our guys in the best position to block the other team and be prepared for pressures and all that kind of stuff,” Taylor said. “We spend a lot of time and effort talking through that. Some games, it’s great. Some games, we’re going to need to improve.”

Tennessee Titans cornerback Janoris Jenkins (20) tackles Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) during the second half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

TWO TEAMS, ONE SEASON

Lost amid the playoff chaos last weekend was the fact that few people outside Kansas City thought the Chiefs would even be in this position. They dropped three of their first seven games, including an embarrassing 27-3 loss in Tennessee, and an overhauled defense was allowing yards and points in staggering numbers.

The Chiefs turned things around quickly, though, and have lost just once since that October day — to Cincinnati.

“I think I just saw the persistence and the championship swagger, I guess you would say, of the team we have,” Mahomes said. “Guys didn’t hang their head. They just wanted to get better. I think that process of every day getting better and better has put us in this situation now, and we don’t want to come up short. We want to keep this process going, and get better, and try to leave our best football out there on the football field.”

Chiefs-Bengals AFC Championship: 5 things to watch
from ArrowheadPride.com

Sunday will be the last chance this year for an AFC team to knock Kansas City off its throne atop the conference.

By Ron Kopp, Jr | Jan 29, 2022, 12:05pm CST

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

It will be difficult for this game to match the insanity of the Divisional Round, but the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals will sure try in the AFC Championship at Arrowhead Stadium.

After knocking the Chiefs out of the No. 1 seed in the conference with a Week 17 win, the Bengals haven’t looked back — beating the Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans on their way to the franchise’s first AFC Championship appearance since 1988.

Since that week, Kansas City has also gotten hot, winning three straight games — including both playoff games with over 40 points scored.

There’s a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance on the line for one team; on the other side, it could be the first Super Bowl berth in over 30 years.

I have five things to watch in the high-stakes battle:

1. A big day for Chiefs pass rushers

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

There may not be a more significant mismatch on the field than the Bengals’ offensive line against the Chiefs’ defensive line.

Last week, Tennessee racked up nine sacks against Cincinnati — the most in a single playoff game in NFL history. It wasn’t a one-time occurrence; it’s been a problem all year: the Bengals had the second-highest rate of dropbacks turned into sacks in the regular season. In Week 17, the Chiefs got to Burrow four times; defensive tackle Chris Jones notched two of those.

Cincinnati’s line really struggles to block pass-rush stunts — where a defensive end may loop to an inside gap while an interior player attacks an outside gap. Edge rushers like Frank Clark and Melvin Ingram have excelled in those situations, using their athleticism for their size to beat a lineman to the inside gap he’s stunting to.

Then there’s Chris Jones, who can rag-doll interior offensive linemen like the Bengals’ right guard Hakeem Adeniji — who had a lot of trouble with Titans’ defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons last week.

The pass rush’s impact could be what allows or prevents the Bengals from making this a contest.

2. Continuing to use Mecole Hardman in his ideal role

Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images

Over the last month, we may have witnessed the most impactful stretch of wide receiver Mecole Hardman’s career.

He’s had more productive points; early in his rookie year, he filled in for wide receiver Tyreek Hill admirably and showed off his explosion with some highlight-reel plays. Now, Hardman is executing his niche role that has boosted the ceiling of this offense.

He may not be getting the second-most snaps at his position — and he may not be producing the raw numbers like some hoped he could when he was selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft — but the Chiefs are utilizing his strengths to get the best out of him. They do that by deploying him strictly on well-setup quick screens, jet sweeps, and other quick-hitting passes.

Instead of forcing Hardman to be a traditional receiver, the coaching staff is putting him in the best positions to succeed — and it has paid off for the Chiefs’ offense down the stretch.
continued in next post~~~

Chiefs vs. Bengals: Game and score predictions
from ArrowheadPride.com

Let’s see what Arrowhead Pride contributors — and our readers — think about Sunday’s AFC Championship.

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

In the Divisional round matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, two of Arrowhead Pride’s contributors picked Buffalo to win — and almost all of those who picked the Chiefs thought it would be a close game. So our composite prediction for a 33-30 Kansas City victory was 18 points removed from the team’s 42-36 overtime win. More of our readers — about one in five — thought the Bills would win. About half thought the Chiefs would win a close one.

So now it’s on to the AFC Championship, in which the Chiefs face the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Kansas City is favored by seven points. Let’s see what the staff — and our readers — think about the matchup.

Tom Childs (@tomchilds56)
I deserved every single bit of criticism I received last week. It was silly to doubt Playoff Patrick — and I won’t be doing it again. After what we saw last week, the Chiefs simply cannot lose this game. A loss at this point would result in this season being classed as a missed opportunity — even a failure. I just can’t see the Chiefs allowing that to happen. Chiefs 35, Bengals 24

John Dixon (@Arrowheadphones)
Since Patrick Mahomes became the starting quarterback, the Chiefs are 3-1 in postseason games in which their opponent defeated them in the regular season. So it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility that Cincinnati could figure out a way to beat Kansas City on Sunday. But in the 2020 postseason — especially in the Super Bowl — it always seemed to me that the Chiefs were too wound up. I see no sign of that this season. The team is focused — but it’s also loose, having fun and playing to its potential. The Bengals aren’t going to roll over — but they aren’t going to roll into Los Angeles, either. Chiefs 31, Bengals 24

Talon Graff (@CoachGraff34)
The Chiefs are hosting their fourth straight AFC Championship, a feat that has never before been accomplished — and one that may not ever be matched. Kansas City gets another chance against the Bengals after losing to Cincinnati in their Week 17 matchup. I respect what the Bengals have accomplished this season, but there is too much riding on this contest for the Chiefs to make the same silly mistakes that led to the previous loss. The defense should shake up how they approach this one — especially the number of times they blitz and how they cover Ja’Marr Chase; I can’t imagine Chase has another day with over 250 yards. I also doubt that Kansas City will score only three points in the second half. These were all pivotal aspects of the first game. Patrick Mahomes and the offense are absolutely cooking right now — so in this scenario, the Chiefs are just too overwhelming for the up-and-coming Bengals. Chiefs 34, Bengals 20

Kristian Gumminger (@kgumminger)
For this matchup, it’s pretty simple for me: the Chiefs are the better team. The Chiefs are the home team. The Chiefs have both the quarterback and coaching advantage. The Chiefs are going to win. The Bengals just don’t scare me. On offense, they rank 18th in efficiency but 25th on the road. Burrow and Chase scare you, but the line doesn’t — and the coaches do nothing to help the line protect Burrow. On defense, there are a few good players — but none that really scare you. After the Chiefs just handled T.J. Watt and the diverse Bills defensive line, relying on Trey Hendrickson to wreck the Kansas City offensive line won’t be enough. And after the Chiefs went toe-to-toe with the Bills’ first-ranked defense, the Bengals’ 24th-ranked defense (according to DVOA) just doesn’t scare me Finally… the coaching advantage. There is a lot of talk about “emotional letdown” after Kansas City’s Divisional round win. Did people forget who leads this team? After the win, Andy Reid addressed the team with eyes on this game. As fans, we can talk about 13 seconds — but this time, the Chiefs are planning on putting their opponent down early. See you all in LA! Chiefs 34, Bengals 20

Mark Gunnels (@MarkAGunnels)
For me, this one is simple. Come Sunday, the Chiefs will have been in this game for four years in a row — while the Bengals haven’t been here once. Sure… the Bengals won their head-to-head meeting less than a month ago. But it took a historical performance by Ja’Marr Chase — and a lot of questionable calls — to only win by three. Last week, Joe Burrow was sacked nine times. I’m not expecting nine sacks, but if the Chiefs can get constant pressure on Burrow — and force his team into punts — that bodes well for Patrick Mahomes and his offense. I think the Chiefs roll. Chiefs 45, Bengals 24

Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp)
In regular-season circumstances — if the Chiefs were still high from an unbelievable win — this would be the perfect opportunity for a letdown game. The Bengals are playing with house money. It’s a young team (with a young coach) playing well over its expectations from the beginning of the season — or even a few months ago. That makes them scary for a team that could overlook them. But this is the AFC Championship — and this Chiefs team is still motivated. They are hungry to prove they’re the best of the best. Kansas City comes out with momentum carried over from the previous game, controlling this contest throughout. A few significant sacks make for great Arrowhead moments. Chiefs 40, Bengals 21

Aaron Ladd (@aaronladd0)
WHEW! What a ride the Chiefs-Bills game was. 13 seconds. Grim Reaper. ‘Do it Kels!’ Whatever you want to call it, the Divisional round game was special for Kansas City. Motivated by a tie-or-die sensation, I think Mahomes and company find a different gear against Burrow’s Bengals. “We’re not done,” Mahomes told reporters on Wednesday. Motivated by that clean-out-your-locker feeling (that I believe many around the Kingdom experienced with 13 seconds remaining) and undefeated in rematches this season, I like Kansas City comfortably advancing to a third consecutive Super Bowl. Chiefs 35, Bengals 21

Rocky Magaña (@RockyMagana)
There are many things different between this game and the one these two teams played in Week 17. First off, there is a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. Second, the Chiefs are playing at home. Neither of these factors bodes well for the Bengals. Cincinnati may be the young hot upstart team — but at this stage in the postseason, experience matters. There is no NFL team more battle-tested than the Chiefs — and head coach Andy Reid has his guys peaking at just the right time. I think Steve Spagnuolo will have a game plan for Ja’Marr Chase — and by a game plan, I mean he will drop seven guys into coverage and make Burrow go the length of the field. I don’t believe the Bengals have an answer for our front four, so I would expect a big game from Sack Nation. In the offense, Patrick Mahomes has ascended to a plane of consciousness similar to Neo in The Matrix — where the game has slowed down so much that he can bend the rules of physics as he sees fit. This — coupled with the rest of the team’s pure will to win — makes Kansas City nearly unbeatable at this moment. I think the Chiefs cruise to victory, punching their ticket to Los Angeles in a relatively calm affair. Chiefs 31, Bengals 20

Kramer Sansone (@KramerTalks)
I believe the Chiefs will continue their hot hand on Sunday; a week ago, 13 seconds was all it took to win the game from their own 25-yard line. I don’t see the Chiefs trailing at all — and the only way for the Bengals to even come close to winning is to go over the top. I don’t see that happening. You also have to consider that it is extremely hard to defeat Andy Reid twice in one season. Chiefs 35, Bengals 17

Jared Sapp (@TrumanChief)
There has been too much revisionist history regarding the meeting a month ago; the national media has been forgetting how much had to go right for the Bengals to come out on top. I think this game plays out much like the previous two AFC Championship games: a competitive game in the first quarter — and then the Chiefs pull away as the game goes on. Kansas City will play smart on both sides of the ball and will advance to their third consecutive Super Bowl. Joe Burrow will be under heavy pressure for the second week in a row. The Bengals’ offense will have its moments, but the defense will not keep the Chiefs from being more successful. A late Cincinnati score will make the game appear closer than it really was. Chiefs 37, Bengals 24

Stephen Serda (@StephenSerda)
In the Week 17 contest between these two teams, I have to believe the Chiefs overlooked the Bengals a little bit. Ja’Marr Chase is a total superstar — and heading into that game, it feels like the Chiefs slept on his talent. Burrow may eat a lot of sacks, but that doesn’t seem to affect his confidence or thought process during a game — which is unbelievable. This Bengals team is young and ready to compete, but they had the easiest path in the AFC playoffs — and this time, the Chiefs won’t sleep on them. At the end of the day, the Chiefs’ talent and playoff experience will just be too much for the Bengals to handle. Chiefs 42, Bengals 28

Matt Stagner (@stagdsp)
It’s going to be tough to top that Divisional round game. Many called it the “true AFC Championship game” — with the assumption that the winner would go on to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in a few weeks. The game turned out to be insane — and to a lesser team, it could lead to a letdown. But at this point, I think this Chiefs team has seen it all — and they’ll keep their eyes on the real prize ahead. In the regular-season matchup, the Bengals team found ways to win — aided by five attempts at a game-winning touchdown before kicking the field goal that did win it. That game should be remembered as the one where they kept the ball out of Mahomes’ hands for most of the fourth quarter; the Chiefs had no chance to respond. The Chiefs will get that chance now — and I have a feeling they will capitalize in a big way. Make no mistake about it: this season, its historical context and the way we all feel about it will be dramatically altered if the Chiefs don’t win this game. Win the AFCCG and Super Bowl, and the Buffalo win is etched in history. Lose either game, and it becomes a fluky win in a failure of a season. But these guys aren’t done yet — and Mahomes still has plenty he wants to prove. Look for him to have another over-my-dead-body game, with the supporting cast executing on a high level. The Bengals may still score, but the Chiefs’ offense will score more. Kansas City advances to the Super Bowl — and it may be a more comfortable win than many expect. Chiefs 42, Bengals 31

Bryan Stewart (@BryanStewart_)
The Chiefs lost to the Bengals just a few short weeks ago in an incredibly frustrating contest that ultimately cost Kansas City the No. 1 seed in the AFC. But forget all this talk about a potential letdown game. There will be no dropoff. Kansas City — as it has done in previous years — will ride the momentum of what transpired this past Sunday to a convincing AFC Championship victory. Look for Patrick Mahomes to string together another sturdy, three or four-touchdown performance — while defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo relies on a deep four-man pass rush to make Joe Burrow uncomfortable. Bengals’ wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase will not be left in single coverage very often — if at all. Chiefs 35, Bengals 23

Pete Sweeney (@pgsween)
My Week 17 call turned out dead wrong. (I predicted a 13-point win instead of the actual three-point loss). But about a month later — and with much more on the line — I don’t feel all that different about the matchup. And it’s because so much (from penalties to the game of Ja’Marr Chase’s life to the Chiefs’ working through COVID issues) had to break the Bengals’ way for them to win… by three points. Now they’re in Arrowhead, and I still think the major key to the game is the Kansas City front four against a Cincinnati offensive line that gave up nine sacks last week. I like the Chiefs’ line to dominate, with a special nod to Melvin Ingram, who — in his ninth year in the league — will play in his first AFC title game (I like the veteran to get home twice). That advantage — and Mahomes seemingly “figuring out what it was that figured him out” means the Grim Reaper is in line to bury another team’s dreams. The Chiefs win the rematch. Chiefs 34, Bengals 21

Ethan Willinger (@ecwillinger)
Kansas City’s 13-second comeback against the Bills is one of the more impressive feats you’ll see in professional sports. While the Chiefs were favored in the game, some have likened their heroics at the end of regulation to the 1980 United States Olympic hockey team. Given the American team’s overwhelming underdog status in Lake Placid, the comparison may be inappropriate. However, one thing is for sure: like the Miracle on Ice team, the Chiefs still have more work to do following their unbelievable win. After their unprecedented victory over the Soviet Union, the U.S. hockey team still had to top Finland in the championship game. Similarly — after their emotional win over the Bills — the Chiefs have two games standing between them and a Lombardi Trophy. Like the Miracle on Ice, those thirteen seconds at Arrowhead may become the defining moment of a championship push — but what comes after is just as important. The Bengals are a talented, up-and-coming team — but I think a Divisional round hangover is the only thing that can tank Kansas City on Sunday. Fortunately, they have the look of a team that is just getting started. I think the Chiefs still have 120 minutes of championship ball left in them. Chiefs 34, Bengals 23