Is there anything better than good old fashioned trash talk leading into a fierce matchup? Fans used to read about players antagonizing each other before games in the newspaper, or if we were lucky we caught footage on television of rivals baiting their opponents amid team laughter. Now fans get to see the trash talking unfolding live on social media. It's perfect pregame fireworks and we all get front row seats. This week the tickets were worth the price of admission as Chiefs defensive leaders and Bengals offensive weapons exchanged barbs.
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Justin Reid Lights a Match
Players from the juggernauts in Kansas City and favorites in Cincy gave fans top level trash talk as they prepare for a sure fire shootout in Week 13. The last time the Chiefs and Bengals met was at the AFC Championship Game from last January when the Bengals shockingly halted Kansas City's hopes for another AFC championship win.
The Chiefs are looking to keep their dominant season alive and the Bengals are looking to keep their high scoring season rolling. It'll take a strong showing from the Chiefs defense to stop Joe Burrow and company from putting up 30+ on the scoreboard and when you're up against Kansas City's offense you know you have to put up high numbers if you want any chance of beating them. Chiefs safety Justin Reed had a lot of thoughts on this week's personnel matchups, but his inability to name the correct players threw a lit match on an already sparked rivalry.
While speaking to PJ Green with Fox4 News Kansas City Reid talked about his intention to shut down Hurst, but kept getting the tight end's name wrong: "They have 88 Higbee—no, not Higbee, he's with the Rams—what's his name? It's Higgins, yeah they're gonna have him back, he's a very talented receiver, more of a finesse type of guy, not the best blocker, I'm gonna lock him down."
The Bengals Bite Back
As you can imagine, this fired up the Cincinnati locker room. When the media mentioned Reid's comments to Hayden Hurst on Thursday, he quickly suggested the Kansas City safety would be tucking his tail Sunday.
"I feel like I'm probably the last person you want to talk shit about." Hayden Hurst to Justin Reid. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/k3ky29cSMy
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) December 1, 2022
The Bengals tight end has two touchdowns on his resume this season and replied chuckling, "You can pick anybody in this locker room, but I feel like I'm the last person you want to talk s—t about because I have a long memory."
Hurst wasn't the only Bengal to bite back. Cincy's top receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who leads his team with six touchdowns, took to twitter to keep the trash talk booming and we all grabbed our popcorn. The wide receiver replied to Reid after the Chiefs safety attempted to explain why he kept forgetting Hurst's name. Tweeting his reasoning, "Tbh, I meant Hayden Hurst* for the man matchups. Nonetheless, any and everybody still getting locked up."
At this point Chase was already stirred up and asked Reid if he'd like to put some money where his mouth is. Reid's response only escalated their exchange and caused twitter football fans to lose their minds. See for yourself, because it's hysterical and sprinkled with name calling. Immature? Maybe. Entertaining? 100%.
Asked #Chiefs safety Justin Reid about what he would've done differently against Cincinnati if he played with KC last year.
His words show just how motivated the team is about beating the #Bengals.
His words about Tee Higgins: "I'm gonna lock him down." pic.twitter.com/9W5Khndh1J
— PJ Green (@PJGreenTV) November 30, 2022
tuna ina can 🐱
— Ja’MarrChase (@Real10jayy__) November 30, 2022
Noted ✍🏾 pic.twitter.com/7ytOA44uWu
— Justin Reid (@JustinqReid) November 30, 2022
After their twitter sparing the Bengals wide receiver told All Bengals reporter Elise Jesse that he doesn't think Reid has been watching film at all. I'm sure Kansas City's D line won't take that personally at all.
It appears the Chiefs and Bengals budding rivalry is thriving and if this twitter trash talk is any indication, we're in for a thrilling matchup Week 13.