Cincinnati @ Kansas City preview
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
Last Meeting ( Aug 19, 2017 ) Kansas City 30, Cincinnati 12
The Kansas City Chiefs will face a third consecutive AFC contender when they host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night. The Chiefs put the best record in the conference on the line against the Bengals, who are tied atop the AFC North standings.
Both teams are looking to bounce back from crushing losses a week ago. The Bengals took the lead with 1:18 left, only to see Pittsburgh drive for a score with 10 seconds remaining and claim a 28-21 victory. Kansas City phenom Patrick Mahomes led a spirited comeback in the second half at New England, which kicked a field goal in the final seconds for a 43-40 triumph. “We knew it was going to be a tough game,” Mahomes told reporters. “We wanted to win and we ended up coming up a little short, but I feel like that fight that we had in the second half of that game will carry over into this next week.”
TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Chiefs -6. O/U: 58
ABOUT THE BENGALS (4-2): Cincinnati ranks just 23rd in total offense but sixth in scoring thanks to a league-best 75 percent touchdown rate in the red zone. Andy Dalton has thrown seven interceptions but also has 14 touchdown passes - including three to veteran star A.J. Green and four to Tyler Boyd, who has emerged as a dangerous secondary target. With the exception of a Week 3 loss at Carolina, the Bengals have been solid against the run, but the secondary has struggled - in large part because of an inconsistent pass rush.
ABOUT THE CHIEFS (5-1): Kansas City’s offense is producing at a record-setting clip, with Mahomes passing for 1,865 yards with 18 touchdowns and four interceptions through six games. The second-year quarterback is surrounded with talent - including running back Kareem Hunt and versatile speedster Tyreek Hill, who have combined for 13 touchdowns. The defense has been another story, ranking last in the NFL in total defense and 27th in scoring, as it has struggled mightily against the pass and still is without safety Eric Berry (Achilles) while linebacker Justin Houston (hamstring) could miss his second consecutive game.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Mahomes is the first quarterback in franchise history to pass for 300 yards in five consecutive games and second in the league to do so (Aaron Rodgers) since 2016.
2. The Bengals have recorded 12 sacks in their four wins and only one in their two losses.
3. Hill has averaged 47.4 yards on his 27 career touchdowns.
PREDICTION: Chiefs 37, Bengals 30