This weekend marks the 35th showdown between the Bengals and the Chiefs, but it looks like the heat is squarely on the shoulders of the Bengals.
Plagued by injuries and contract holdouts in their wide receiver corps, coupled with a brand-new backfield, the Bengals had a rough outing against the New England Patriots last weekend. Their offense was akin to a car stuck in first gear, unable to find any semblance of rhythm. Meanwhile, their defense was more "Swiss cheese defense" than steel curtain, allowing the Patriots to find ways to secure the victory.
As the Bengals gear up for this week’s clash, they will need to find that elusive spark on offense or face the harsh reality of an 0-2 start.
The Chiefs: A Juggernaut Ready to Roll
On the other side, the defending Super Bowl Champions started their season with a bang, dispatching the Baltimore Ravens with finesse. Their defensive line terrorized the Ravens’ revamped offensive line all night, making it clear why they hoisted the Lombardi Trophy last season.
Rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy made quite the impression, scoring both a rushing and a receiving touchdown. The young gun seems poised to be a significant factor in the Chiefs’ already formidable offensive arsenal.
Cincinnati Finds Itself in a Familiar Territory
It will be interesting to see which Bengals team shows up this week. Historically, they’ve had the Chiefs’ number, winning three of their last five meetings.
Game Details and How to Watch Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs
- Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024
- Time: 4:25 PM EST
- Site: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
- City: Kansas City, MO
- TV/Streaming: CBS
Latest Game Odds: Bengals vs. Chiefs
The latest odds as of Friday evening courtesy of DraftKings:
- Moneyline: Bengals (+136), Chiefs (-162)
- Spread: Chiefs -5.5
- Total: 48
NBC Sports Bet Best Bets
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) believes the Chiefs can cover the 5.5-point spread.
“It’s a tough call given Joe Burrow’s track record against the Chiefs,” Thomas states. “However, now might be the best time to fade the Bengals. Their WR corps needs Ja’Marr Chase to play a larger role, but with his limited capacity, it’s a tall order. The Bengals’ offensive line performed well last week, but replicating that success with Chris Jones on the opposite side will be no easy feat.”
Team Stats and Betting Trends
- The Chiefs were 10-7 against the spread last season.
- The Bengals were 7-10 against the spread last season.
- The OVER was 5-12 for the Chiefs last season.
- The OVER was 10-7 for the Bengals last season.
Quarterback Matchup: Burrow vs. Mahomes
- Bengals: Joe Burrow – Burrow only threw for 164 yards last week and failed to throw a touchdown pass.
- Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes – The reigning Super Bowl MVP threw for 4,183 yards, 27 TDs, and 14 INTs last season.
Player News and Injuries
- Bengals WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) is doubtful
- Bengals OT Amarius Mims (pectoral) is doubtful
- Chiefs WR Marquise Brown (shoulder) has been moved to the IR
As kick-off inches closer, all eyes will be on whether the Bengals can pull off an upset or if the Chiefs will continue their dominant run. Grab your snacks, gather your friends, and get ready for what promises to be an epic clash on the gridiron.
