After a long week, the 2024 Kansas City Chiefs are almost ready for another game. The team had a strong start to the season against the Baltimore Ravens and looks to welcome in the Cincinnati Bengals with the stored momentum.
The Chiefs will have to compete against a hungry Bengals team. Earlier in the week, Ja'Marr Chase pointed out that he believes the Bengals are the best team in the AFC and the team to beat rather than the Chiefs. The last time that the Chiefs felt disrespected, they went on to beat the number one seed in the AFC Championship and win the Super Bowl. While this rivalry between two young teams is continuing to brew, it might be a mistake to talk about the Chiefs this way.
The Bengals have a tough hill to climb after last week's loss to the New England Patriots. While the Patriots shouldn't be disrespected, they are certainly not in the same league as the Chiefs. Coming into Arrowhead this week might be a glimpse into the Bengals' flaws. Or, it could end with the Bengals on top since they almost always come out on top against the Chiefs.
Game Info
Date: Sunday, September 15
Start Time: 3:25 p.m. CT
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Stadium: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
TV Info: CBS (Jim Nantz and Tony Romo on the Call)
Chiefs Uniform Info: Red Tops, White Bottoms
Bengals 2023 Statistical Rankings
Points Per Game: 21.5 (16th)
Points Allowed Per Game: 22.6 (21st)
Offensive Yards Per Game: 340.2 (21st)
Passing/Rushing Yards Per Game: 250.4 (12th) and 89.8 (31st)
Defensive Yards Allowed Per Game: 374.59 (31st)
Passing/Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 248.41 (28th) and 126.18 (26th)
Third Down Offensive/Defensive Conversion Rate: 37.61% (19th) and 40.85% (23rd)
Red Zone Offensive/Defensive Conversion Rate: 59.62% (10th) and 51.67% (10th)
Penalties: 76 (31st)
Penalty Yardage: 614 (32nd)
Players Already Ruled Out Before Sunday
Bengals: Kris Jenkins (DT)
Chiefs: Marquise Brown (WR)
Cincinnati Bengals
Defense
The Bengals had to work hard to improve their defense in the offseason. In 2023, the defense was ranked at the bottom in most important statistics and was the weakest link on an already weak team. They gave up ten more touchdowns than they did the year before, bringing the total from 31 to 41.
Although the offense did not perform against the Patriots, the defense was already significantly better than last year. They only allowed one touchdown, a 3-yard touchdown from Rhamondre Stevenson. Throughout the game, the defense had trouble getting through the Patriots' offensive line yet kept New England to 16 points.
For years, the Bengals have been successful on the defensive side of the ball against the Chiefs. In mostly low-scoring affairs, the Bengals have been able to keep the Chiefs to field goals rather than touchdowns. In this game, this will be important once again. With the new-look Chiefs offense, the Bengals' defense will need to work overtime to secure the win.
Offense
When Burrow went down last season, it was hard for the Bengals to replicate his production. Burrow still deals with the lingering pain in his wrist, but the offense is still not living up to its potential. Tee Higgins was out all preseason, and Chase was absent the entire Summer.
Last week, it was easy to see that the Bengals were missing wide receiver Higgins. Right now, Higgins is doubtful to play in Sunday's contest. In order for the Bengals to win on Sunday, Chase needs to step up his game and play like the elite receiver that he is.
The Bengals need to ensure that their offensive problems do not last longer than the first few weeks of the season. The Chiefs' defense is not exactly the best unit to face when trying to work out these problems. In this contest, the offense needs to focus on turning the ball over less and staying on the field for longer drives.
Kansas City Chiefs
Defense
Against the Ravens, the Chiefs continued a trend that fans saw throughout 2023. While the offense was not particularly as strong as it could've been, the defense kept the Chiefs in the game the entire time. Until the final down, the defense provided a spark in the game.
Even though the defense was great, there was obviously a little rust. The Chiefs defense found themselves on the field for far longer than in 2023, for 80 snaps. In the days after the matchup, defense coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was very critical of linebacker Nick Bolton showing signs of rust. Although Bolton was not his strongest, he made an unreal to keep Isaiah Likely out of bounds and seal things up in regulation.
If the Chiefs want to make sure that they beat the Bengals, they will have to ensure their defense is as strong as 2023. With the past matchups heavily favoring the Bengals, the defense will be the star of the show in this game. The rookies who made their debut last week will have to play to their potentials, and show that the defense can be just as good throughout this season.
Offense
The game against the Ravens offered a first look at the revamped offense for the Chiefs. While Patrick Mahomes did not look as sharp as he has in previous seasons, his playmakers throughout the offense looked very sharp.
The Chiefs offense will have to learn to operate without free-agency signing Marquise Brown for at least the first few months of the season. On Friday, the team announced that Brown would undergo surgery after sustaining a sternoclavicular injury in the preseason. Although Brown was feeling better, his injury was not healing correctly, leading him to surgery. He was placed on IR Friday and will not return for at least four more games.
While this is certainly a blow to the offense, the Chiefs might be okay after seeing last week's performances. Rashee Rice has the capability of being one of the brightest stars in the NFL, and as long as he can continue his trend, he can contribute at great lengths. Xavier Worthy will go through growing pains, but as long as the rest of the offense is contributing, it should not be too much of an issue.
Betting Info
Points Spread: CIN +6 (-108) | KC -6 (-112)
Moneyline: CIN (+220) | KC (-270)
Over/Under: CIN O 48 (-110) | KC U 48 (-110)
Lines via DraftKings as of Saturday, September 14
Last season, the Chiefs went 11-6 ATS as a favorite but 5-4 as a home favorite. After Burrow went down in Week 11, the Bengals spent most of the time as the underdog. Throughout the whole season, they went 7-8-2 ATS. When looking at past matchups, the Bengals are heavily favored to win this game. However, when looking at the performances from last week's games, the Chiefs have the upper hand.
Prediction
While it does seem that the defending Super Bowl champs will be the ones to win on Sunday, the Bengals love to keep it close. It also cannot go un-noted that the Bengals have yet to lose a regular season game against the Chiefs. While I do think the Chiefs will ultimately win, I think Burrow and the Bengals will keep it close.
Final Score: Chiefs 31, Bengals 27
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