The Kansas City Chiefs appear to be peaking at just the right time, riding an eight-game winning streak into Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday as they face the Cincinnati Bengals. The Chiefs have only permitted more than ten points twice in their last seven games, including a 36-10 undressing of the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. They will get all the challenge they want out of the Bengals, though, who have bounced back from a two-game skid to beat Denver on the road and then thrash Baltmiore at home last week, rolling to a 41-21 win in which Joe Burrow threw for 525 yards and four touchdowns. Can the Bengals make a statement against a contender other than Baltimore? In their other games against potential playoff teams, they have not fared all that well.
Before locking in your NFL betting on the game, check out our thoughts.
NFL Preview: Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, January 2)
When: Sunday, January 2, 2022, 1:00 pm ET
Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
TV: CBS
Radio: WDAF 106.5 FM Kansas City / WLW 700 AM Cincinnati
Live Stream: Hulu
NFL Lines: Kansas City -5 / O/U 51 // Kansas City -230 / Cincinnati +190
Why should you bet on the Chiefs?
While Patrick Mahomes is back in business as an elite quarterback after a tough first half of the regular season, and the Chiefs have been putting up crazy numbers on offense as a result, the real story of the Chiefs’ resurgence has been their defense. During the first half of the season, the Chiefs’ defense has been elite, holding such top offenses as Dallas in the single digits. Even if Kansas City can hold Cincinnati to 20 points (which would be a great effort against a phenomenal offense), the Chiefs should be able to get enough points to win.
Mahomes went 23 of 30 with 258 yards and three touchdowns against Pittsburgh in a romp. Those numbers can in just three quarters because the game got out of hand and Andy Reid opted to have his second string finish the game. Against Cincinnati’s defense, Mahomes should have time in the pocket and enough opportunities down the field to break the 300-yard mark and throw at least a couple of touchdown passes. Despite the fact that Kansas City has already clinche
Why should you put your money on the Bengals?
Cincinnati’s passing attack has exploded thanks to the emergence of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Both are 1,000+ yard receivers this season, but Higgins had a breakout game last week against Baltimore, hauling in a dozen passes for 194 yards and two scores. Joe Burrow targeted him 13 times, three more than Burrow’s former teammate, Chase. With both of those receivers producing at an elite level, the Chiefs will have to choose who to focus on – which could lead to a big night for the Bengals’ passing game.
Don’t forget Joe Mixon, who accounted for 135 yards and two scores against the Steelers. He got 65 yards and a score on the ground and 70 yards and another score receiving. Kansas City’s defense has struggled at times against the run, and Mixon feasts in those types of games.
Final Score and Betting Prediction
I see this game turning into a track meet, with both teams scoring multiple touchdowns. Patrick Mahomes has more experience in this type of game at the NFL level, but the Bengals have swept Pittsburgh and Baltimore in the division this year and know how to handle themselves when the stakes are high. Playing at home, I see the Bengals hanging around long enough to cover on a five-point spread – and maybe even steal the win on a last-minute drive. I predict a final score of Kansas City 34, Cincinnati 31.
Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals : Bet the Game Today
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