Predictions for Chiefs vs. Bengals Week 2

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) catches a pass as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton (21) defends in the second quarter during the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

The annual meeting between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs will add another chapter to the AFC rivalry. 

On offense, Patrick Mahomes will again look to his primary target of Rashee Rice and more opportunities for tight end Travis Kelce. The running game will rely heavily on Isiah  Pacheco again, featuring special plays for Xavier Worthy to showcase his unique speed. 

Again, Chris Jones will be a significant factor in the defense, attacking the Bengals’ offensive line and putting pressure on Joe Burrow. Burrow’s discomfort in the pocket is crucial for the defense to control the line of scrimmage. Turnovers will be the key to this game, with the Chiefs needing takeaways to secure the victory. 

Final score: Chiefs 28, Bengals 24 

Jan 2, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones (95) reacts after sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (not pictured) in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

This game will be another great matchup in the Chiefs/Bengals rivalry.

Cincinnati’s fans and players have done plenty of talking this week, letting the media know they aren’t scared of Patrick Mahomes and company. However, the Bengals are 0-2 against the Chiefs in their last two matchups after, famously, starting 3-0 against Kansas City since the arrival of Joe Burrow. If the Bengals lose again, they may want to consider hitting the practice field instead of blowing hot air.

The loss of wide receiver Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown for the regular season is certainly big, but with the numerous additions in the offseason, Mahomes will still have plenty of productive weapons on the field. Look for the former MVP to feed the ball to Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce whenever possible. Keeping Cincinatti’s offense off the field will be key to winning this game evening up the Mahomes/Burrow series 3-3.

Final score: Chiefs 27, Bengals 20

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) catches a deep pass as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (29) defends in the third quarter during a Week 17 NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The Kansas City Chiefs won, 25-17.

The Chiefs looked great last week and shouldn’t be expected to take a step back against the Bengals, who have become one of Kansas City’s most bitter rivals. Patrick Mahomes seems poised to build on his Week 1 performance and, despite the continued absence of wide receiver Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown, the Chiefs’ receiving corps may give Cincinnati’s secondary fits.

Though I don’t expect Kansas City to steamroll the Bengals, this game seems like a bit of a mismatch after Cincinnati’s loss to the New England Patriots last week.

Final score: Chiefs 26, Bengals 13

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 29: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

I’m going to be bold this week and predict an absolute blowout. Cincinnati came out flat against a beatable New England Patriots team last week, and if that performance was any indication of the Bengals’ trajectory, the 2021 AFC champions will be pretenders instead of contenders this season.

Joe Burrow has had Patrick Mahomes’ number in the past and has outdueled the reigning Super Bowl MVP to this point in his career. Given the momentum that Kansas City will bring into this game and the Bengals’ pitiful performance in Week 1, it seems prudent to pick the Chiefs by a landslide.

My final score reflects that this is functionally a revenge game for Mahomes, and assumes that Andy Reid won’t mind blowing out Cincinnati in front of a home crowd at Arrowhead Stadium after Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase continued his team’s war of words this week.

Final score: Chiefs 55, Bengals 9

Nov 10, 1968; Cincinnati, OH, USA: FILE PHOTO; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) in action against the Cincinnati Bengals at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Long Photography-USA TODAY Sports