A Cincinnati Bengals star has fired back at Travis Kelce’s fiery comments regarding the Kansas City Chiefs’ final game of the regular season. The tension has been palpable, especially after social media users claimed that the Chiefs intentionally lost to the Denver Broncos in their Week 18 matchup. This accusation has stirred up quite the conversation in the NFL community.
In a recent episode of the New Heights podcast, Kelce addressed the allegations head-on. "I ain’t scared of f***ing nobody," he declared, making it clear that he has no fear of the critics questioning the Chiefs’ integrity. His brother, Jason, prompted the discussion by mentioning the accusations that the Chiefs threw the game to benefit the Bengals. Kelce’s response was emphatic, showcasing his competitive spirit and determination.
In order for the Bengals to have reached the playoffs, they needed to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Miami Dolphins to lose to the New York Jets, and the Chiefs to defeat the Broncos last weekend. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, only the latter task wasn’t achieved as Kansas City played its backups in the road game versus the Broncos and was blown out by a score of 38-0.
The Bengals had a rough start to the season, beginning with a record of 4-8. However, they rallied impressively, winning their final five games. Yet, their postseason hopes were dashed when the Chiefs, already securing the No. 1 seed with a 14-1 record, opted to rest their starters against a Broncos team that needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Broncos seized the opportunity, clinching the last playoff spot, much to the dismay of Bengals fans.
Denver made the final playoff spot instead and fans, especially those in the Bengals variety, accused the Chiefs of throwing the game to ensure Cincinnati a spot on the golf course instead of playing postseason football.
This controversy ignited a fiery response from Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt. He took to social media to voice his opinion, retorting to Kelce’s comments with a blunt message: "Cap, shut that sh** up," accompanied by a crying emoji and a laughing emoji. It’s clear that the Bengals are not backing down from this debate.
Kelce’s Competitive Spirit Shines
Despite the controversy, Kelce expressed his respect for the Bengals. "That was one of the wackiest years of football I’ve ever seen from a team that I thought was 10 times better than what their record showed," he said. He acknowledged that the Bengals were a formidable team, especially towards the end of the season.
Yet, Kelce remained adamant about the Chiefs’ intentions. "But we didn’t f***ing throw any game," he stated passionately. "Guys were out there competing their ass off, trying to get a win." He lamented the team’s inability to put drives together and stop the Broncos, emphasizing that it was a frustrating game for everyone involved.
Kelce wasn’t done voicing his thoughts. He added, "I wanted them in the f***ing playoffs. I want to slay every dragon one by one, like Mortal Kombat." His competitive nature shone through as he expressed his desire to face the best teams in the playoffs, stating, "I ain’t scared of a single soul, man."
Looking Ahead to the Playoffs
As the NFL gears up for the Wild Card Weekend, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Chiefs, having secured their spot, will look to achieve the first-ever three-peat as they prepare to take on the winner of the Los Angeles Chargers-Houston Texans game in the Divisional Round at Arrowhead Stadium. Meanwhile, the Broncos will face the Buffalo Bills, hoping to make a deep playoff run.
The Bengals, despite their strong finish, will be watching from home, reflecting on what could have been. Cincinnati narrowly lost to the Chiefs earlier in the season, with a close score of 26-25. The rivalry is heating up, and both teams are eager to prove themselves in the future.
NFL Wild Card Weekend Schedule
Saturday, January 11:
- No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 4 Houston Texans, 4:30 pm ET (CBS, Paramount+)
- No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 3 Baltimore Ravens, 8:00 pm ET (Prime Video)
Sunday, January 12:
- No. 7 Denver Broncos at No. 2 Buffalo Bills, 1:00 pm ET (CBS, Paramount+)
- No. 7 Green Bay Packers at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles, 4:30 pm ET (Fox, Fox Deportes)
- No. 6 Washington Commanders at No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:00 pm ET (NBC, Peacock, Universo)
Monday, January 13:
- No. 5 Minnesota Vikings at No. 4 Los Angeles Rams, 8:00 pm ET (ESPN, ABC)
As the playoffs approach, the excitement is palpable. Fans are eager to see how these rivalries will unfold on the field. Will the Bengals get another shot at the Chiefs? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure—this rivalry is far from over, and the NFL playoffs are set to deliver thrilling matchups that fans won’t want to miss.
