Kansas City Chiefs x Cincinnati Bengals – Palpite & Prognóstico (30.01.2022)

There’s a reason many NFL analysts and fans have referred to last week as the “real” AFC Championship game. This is not meant to be disrespectful in any way to the Cincinnati Bengals. Rather, it just means that last week’s incredible competition between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium was the pinnacle of competition in the NFL. And, somehow, the game more than matched its own billing.

We raise this question now, because when researching our contributors’ predictions for the AFC Championship game, it’s clear that few people expect this one to be as close as it was last week. Instead, many of our experts have KC narrowly winning – and even the punters have the 7-point spread. Will it be that close? Who will be right? Here are our writers’ predictions for the Bengals vs. Chiefs, scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

Max Cashio

Patrick Mahomes has put the championship up against the Bills for what feels like the millionth time in his 4-year career to date. Coming out of divisional round nirvana, and securing home ground in the title game through the Titans’ loss to these same Bengals, the Chiefs will look to rectify a major season-ending loss to the Bengals. The Chiefs’ repechage experience and the Bengals’ patchwork lineup are the difference in this one. Chiefs 35, Bengals 21

Matt Conner

I think the Chiefs are up the hill, at least for a moment, and unless it’s the sheep sitting and waiting for them in Super Bowl LVI, I don’t think the Chiefs will honestly face any big challenges this season. The Bengals had an amazing run, but it ends Sunday night at Arrowhead. Chiefs 32, Bengals 21

Lyle Graversen

Joe Burrow has an arsenal of weapons and the unflappable demeanor to get into Arrowhead and put up points despite his inexperience on such a big stage. Fortunately for KC, their offensive line is not good and their defense is a step below what KC just faced against Buffalo. Ultimately, I don’t think Burrow and co are ready to dethrone defenders of AFC champions and Patrick Mahomes and co keep rolling. Chiefs 37, Bengals 27

Scott Loring

With their line offense intact in this game, the Chiefs make full use of their screen play and utilize it to perfection. The Chiefs leave no room for doubt. Chiefs 51, Bengals 35

Ellen Mathis

I asked for a stress-free Chiefs win last week and got the exact opposite. Maybe this week I’ll get it? I doubt it. I think the Chiefs get this one, but how close it is will depend on the status of Rashad Fenton and Tyrann Mathieu. I’ve seen some reports that say both are expected to play. If that’s the case, I think the Chiefs handle their business in another high-scoring case. Chiefs 42, Bengals 36

Greg Morse

The Chiefs set out to seek revenge against yet another team that beat them in the regular season. The Bengals aren’t Bills, and they get the full Arrowhead treatment as the Grim Reaper sends Burrow and his lads back home en route to a third straight Super Bowl. Chiefs 35, Bengals 20

KC Proctor

The Chiefs’ defense was visibly frustrated at various points in the split round, and assuming the secondary is able to heal over the next week, I’m expecting a better performance. Particularly in the down room. They won’t be able to bottle Joe Burrow for a full four quarters, and the balance within the Bengals’ offensive will show at some point. With nearly every playoff game involving the Chiefs turning into an all-out war, I expect some fireworks, but overall, a convincing win for the Chiefs to keep the Lamar Hunt trophy where it belongs. Chiefs 34, Bengals 24

Hunter Stanton

Este jogo será mais um mordedor de unhas até o amargo final. Os Bengals derrotaram os Chiefs pela última vez na semana 17; no entanto, o ataque dos Chiefs está clicando em níveis insanos, pois Mahomes está pronto para conquistar o AFC mais uma vez. Se os estatuetas do secundário, como Tyrann Mathieu, voltarem saudáveis para este jogo, tenho os Chiefs indo para o Super Bowl pelo terceiro ano consecutivo. Chiefs 37, Bengals 34

Tuttle Grant

The Chiefs are focused and will be out for blood in their rematch with the Bengals. While Tyrann Mathieu’s status is up in the air, I would still completely anticipate a different strategy than his first rematch. While Spagnuolo will need to be at the top of his game, I expect more heroism from Mahomes and the offense. Mahomes rarely loses twice to an opponent and that’s not going to happen here. Kansas City will again be the Super Bowl. Chiefs 31, Bengals 24