Bengals vs. Chiefs AFC Championship Preview
The Cincinnati Bengals are riding high after their big upset win against the top seeded Tennessee Titans last week. Rookie kicker Evan McPherson kicked a 52-yard field goal as time expired. Head Coach for Cincinnati Zac Taylor said “He’s got ice in his veins.” With this win the Bengals move on to the AFC championship game for the first time since 1989. Quarterback Joe Burrow had a good game throwing for 348 yards but he did have an interception. If the Bengals want to pull off another upset they will have to figure out how to protect their quarterback. The Bengals offensive line allowed nine sacks against the Titans. Burrow and this offense will have to figure out a way to get the ball out of his hands before the Chiefs pass rush gets to him.
In what most people called the best game of the season the Chiefs outlasted the Buffalo Bills in overtime. This was a back and forth game from start to finish. It was a great showdown by both quarterbacks. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns. His third touchdown came in overtime where he threw an 8-yard pass to his tight end Travis Kelce. The Chiefs are the first franchise in NFL history to host four conference championship games in a row. The Chiefs offense will be OK but the defense is where most of the focus should be. Chiefs secondary took a huge hit in their divisional game when safety Tyrann Mathieu left the game with a concussion. As of now his status is questionable.
The last time they met: The Chiefs and Bengals met back on week 17. The Bengals came out with the win 34-31. Joe Burrow was on another level that day, throwing for 446 yards and four touchdowns while only having nine incompletions. His receiver Ja’Marr Chase had a career day breaking the rookie record for most yards in a game with 266. Chase had more receiving yards than Mahomes had throwing (259). Mahomes threw two touchdowns and running back Darrel Williams rushed for two touchdowns. The Chiefs pass rush was able to get a hold of Burrow, sacking him four times. After the game Mahomes told Burrow “Keep going, we’ll see you in the playoffs” and here we are. Kickoff is Sunday at 3 p.m. on CBS.
All eyes on Championship Sunday. 🔜#RuleTheJungle ➡ Rule The AFC pic.twitter.com/NhfHtRoY4x
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 27, 2022