The Kansas City Chiefs are back for another week, and it's for another contest against an AFC North foe.
Coming to town this time are the Cincinnati Bengals, who are in desperate need of a win early in the year. Joe Burrow and Co. fell to the New England Patriots in Week 1's upset, and dropping to 0-2 would put them in a hole to kick off the 2024-25 campaign. On the other side, a Kansas City victory would keep the Chiefs in a great spot both within their own division and when thinking about possible playoff seeding down the line.
Predictions for Chiefs vs. Bengals
Joshua Brisco: The Bengals need this game more than the Chiefs, but I'm not sure if they can take it. As stupendous as Ja'Marr Chase is, the absence of Tee Higgins and offseason departure of Tyler Boyd leaves Joe Burrow's array of weapons appearing significantly less daunting, while the Chiefs' offense appears well-positioned to move the ball against the same defense that allowed 170 rushing yards to the New England Patriots in Week 1. Trey Hendrickson vs. Kingsley Suamataia is my matchup of the game, but if the Bengals can't get pressure aside from Hendrickson, I'm confident that Patrick Mahomes will be able to keep the passing game on time even when his rookie left tackle gets beat. I'm leaning into my skepticism about the Bengals' offense with a not-quite-right Burrow and assuming the Chiefs take the air out of the ball if they grab a double-digit lead.
Jordan Foote: It'd be shocking to see the Bengals come out as flat as they did a week ago against the Patriots. With that said, there's still a clear advantage on the Chiefs' side and I think that will be enough to come away with a win. Like many Cincinnati-Kansas City matchups in the recent past, expect a fairly close game. The Bengals probably won't just roll over. But with Patrick Mahomes dealing and the Bengals' offense still finding its footing, the home team gets the victory in Week 2.
Zack Eisen: A familiar foe comes to Arrowhead, or as they call it, “Burrowhead,” this week. The Bengals are coming off a confusing loss at home to the Patriots in Week 1. They struggled on both sides of the ball, but expect them to be ready to play against the Chiefs. Kansas City can gain a significant tiebreaker advantage by beating two other AFC contenders in the season's opening weeks. The offense should be able to establish themselves early and often in this game, allowing the defense to take advantage of a weak Cincinnati offensive line. The Chiefs enjoy the friendly confines of Arrowhead and cruise to a victory.
Mark Van Sickle: The Bengals had an embarrassing loss at home in Week 1, but this is the NFL and anything can happen week to week. The Chiefs are the better team, but they will still need to go out and prove it. I expect to see a high dosage of Isiah Pacheco as the Bengals had a tough time stopping the run in Week 1. Pacheco had a career-high in rushing yards against the Bengals last year with a 130-yard effort, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him have another great game this week. The Chiefs' offense can go so many different directions: Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and more. The Bengals will try and put up a fight, but they won’t be able to win a shootout in Kansas City.
The Bengals' Offense Remains a Concern
While The Bengals' offense should be able to put up points against the Chiefs, it's clear that they have some work to do in the coming weeks. The team's offensive line remains a question mark, and it's a significant factor in the Bengals' ability to keep Burrow upright and allow him to make plays. The offensive line's struggles have also hurt the running game, which has had difficulty getting going in the first two weeks of the season. Burrow's inability to keep the Bengals in the game, and the unit's struggle to find a rhythm offensively, was made all the more obvious against the New England Patriots. Cincinnati's offense looks less daunting now, with the departure of Tyler Boyd, and the absence of Tee Higgins due to a hamstring injury. The Bengals will need to find a way to get their offense clicking if they want to make a run at the AFC title. The offensive line will need to improve their performance in protecting Burrow, and the run game will need to be more consistent, but until then, I'm not sure if the Bengals can take this game against the Chiefs.
Chiefs Offense Looks Ready to Go
The Chiefs' offense looked explosive against the Ravens in Week 1. Mahomes continues to be one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league, and he is well-positioned to have another big game against a Bengals defense that struggled to contain the Patriots in Week 1. Mahomes will look to continue his success with receivers like Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy and tight end Travis Kelce. Expect the Chiefs to come out and run the ball with Isiah Pacheco against the Bengals defense, who struggled against the Patriots' running game. The Chiefs' offense has a lot of weapons at their disposal, and they should be able to move the ball against a Bengals defense that doesn't look as strong as it did last year. The Chiefs will be looking to build on their Week 1 performance and put together a strong season. If their offense can continue its recent success, they will be a tough team to beat.
The Chiefs' Defense is Ready for a Big Test
The Chiefs' defense looked good against the Ravens in Week 1, and will need to be at their best again against the Bengals. The Chiefs' defense will need to be ready to slow down a talented Bengals offense led by quarterback Joe Burrow. The Bengals' offense is led by Ja'Marr Chase, who will be a tough matchup for the Chiefs' secondary. However, the Bengals offensive line remains a question mark, and the Chiefs' defensive front will have to be able to get to Burrow if they want to keep him off balance. The Chiefs' defense will be looking to make a statement this season, and this game against the Bengals is a chance to do just that. If they can stop the Bengals' offense, they will be in a great position to win this game.
Chiefs Will Win This Game
Overall, I think this game will be a close one, but the Chiefs will come out on top. The Chiefs have the advantage at home, and Mahomes is too good to lose two games in a row. The Chiefs have a great offense that can put up points quickly. It will be a tough challenge for the Bengals. Expect the Chiefs to come out on top, and build on their recent success. The Chiefs are a talented team with a lot of weapons at their disposal. I'm not sure if the Bengals can stop the Chiefs' offense, especially at Arrowhead Stadium. It is likely the Chiefs will get the win, and I think they will have a great shot at a playoff run.
The Chiefs and Bengals: An AFC Rivalry for the Ages
The Chiefs and Bengals have become one of the NFL's best rivalries in recent years. The two teams have met in the playoffs in three of the last four seasons, and the rivalry is sure to continue for years to come. The Chiefs have been the dominant team in the rivalry recently, winning four of the last five games between the two teams. But, the Bengals' offense has been able to score a lot of points against the Chiefs defense. So, expect the AFC North rivals to continue their rivalry for many years to come.
