Everyone sports fan loves rivalries and loves a good rematch and in the AFC Title game we are getting exactly that. Now, this rivalry is not like Steelers versus Ravens but is more along the line of Brady versus Manning. Two franchise quarterbacks leading their respective teams to the playoffs and eventually playing in a win or go home game. And for the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals doubt is the word that has fueled these two teams to meet for the second straight year in the AFC Championship Game.
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Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs were supposed to take slight step back this year after the departure of Tyreek Hill but once again that offense has been one of the best in the league. Mahomes may have lost Hill, but he still has the best tight end in the NFL in Travis Kelce who had another huge season, especially in the redzone.
And for the Cincinnati Bengals, they were deemed a team who flourished earlier than expected last year after reaching the Super Bowl but would potentially not even win their division this season. Well, with their run game and stacked receivers, Joe Burrow and the Bengals won the AFC North, beat the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round and are once again just one game away from a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance.
Regardless of who wins on Sunday Night, both these teams have proved to the doubters that they are still the two best teams in the AFC.
How to Watch and Early Betting Lines
Left: Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images, Right: Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
- Date/Time: Sun. Jan 29th, 6:30 p.m. (EST)
- Channel: CBS
- Betting: CIN -1, O/U 47
Bengals Looking to Reach Second-Straight Super Bowl
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The Buffalo Bills had home field advantage and historically have thrived in snow games. But the Cincinnati Bengals could have cared less as they went straight at the Bills on both sides of the ball with their 27 to 10 win. Joe Burrow proved that he should be in talks of the top quarterbacks in the league going 23 of 36 with two touchdowns and 242 yards, spreading the wealth to eight different Bengals.
Chiefs Looking to Avenge Last Year's Loss
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It was a scary sight for Kansas City Chiefs' fans when Patrick Mahomes injured his ankle in the first quarter. But luckily, Mahomes returned the Chiefs got the victory. But Mahomes was not alone as he got some stellar support from backup quarterback Chad Henne who threw for his first career playoff touchdown. And the Chiefs' defense showed up and made some big plays especially late to get the Chiefs to their fifth straight AFC title game.
Cincinnati's Keys to Victory
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Offense: Joe Mixon and the run game is critical to this offense succeeding. Have Burrow continue to spread the ball around and stretch out the defense.
Defense: Shutdown Travis Kelce. Force Mahomes to make some 50/50 throws and try to force turnovers off those throws.
Kansas City's Keys to Victory
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Offense: Try to establish the run game early in the game. Mahomes' ankle is not 100% and the less he has to do to win, the better.
Defense: Get to Burrow as quickly as possible and try to prevent him from extending plays to allow his receivers more time to get open.
The Final Word: Expect Fireworks
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The Kansas City Chiefs are considered by many as the best team in the league but have lost their last three meetings to the Cincinnati Bengals. Can the Chiefs grind out another win and get to their third Super Bowl in four years? Or will the Bengals continue to prove to be the Chiefs' kryptonite and reach their second straight Super Bowl?
Prediction: Cincinnati 27, Kansas City 24.
