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Two teams at the top of their respective divisions face off in primetime Sunday night. The Bengals lead the all time series 15-13, and have won the last 4 matchups between the two.
The Bengals are coming off a last second 28-21 loss to the Steelers. In week 4, the Bengals outlasted the Falcons 37-36, and beat the Dolphins 27-17 in week 5.
The Chiefs are also coming off a heartbreaker, losing 43-40 on a last second field goal to the Patriots on Sunday night. In week 4, the Chiefs defeated the Broncos 27-23, and smoked the Jaguars 30-14 in week 5.
BetOnline has the Chiefs as 6 point favourites, with an O/U total of 58.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals offense was fairly stagnant last week, but has been pretty tough throughout the season. Andy Dalton threw for just 229 yards and 2 touchdowns on 26/42 passing. The Steelers did a great job of controlling the clock and limiting the Bengals possessions, and Dalton just missed some throws.
Tyler Boyd and A.J. Green had no issue getting open, and Green did drop 2 balls, but Boyd caught 2 touchdowns. Joe Mixon continues to be a multifaceted weapon, averaging almost 6 YPA on his 11 carries, and finding the endzone, while he also caught 4 balls for 20 yards. The line was solid across the board, while they were susceptible to pressure from the interior. Cordy Glenn also had a huge penalty that negated a would-be 40 yard reception as the Bengals attempted to mount a comeback.
The defensive front did not control the point of attack the way they have the past few weeks, and why Carl Lawson isn’t playing more snaps has me baffled. Vontaze Burfict was picked on in his second game back, allowing 5 catches for 71 yards, while Darqueze Dennard struggled a bit in the slot as well.
Injuries and Inactive Watch
CB Darqueze Dennard (shoulder) – questionable, LB Nick Vigil (knee) – out, RB Gio Bernard (knee) – questionable
Kansas City Chiefs
You all know the story on offense for the Chiefs. Theyre capable of scoring anytime from anywhere. Belichick did his best to negate Pat Mahomes, but he still put up 352 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs on 23/36 passing. Tyreek Hill continues to show why he should be put in the elite wide receiver conversation, as he absolutely burnt the Pats defense for 142 yards and 3 TDs on just 7 catches, including an incredible catch and run on a deep crosser where he crossed the safeties face and outran everyone who had an angle to the endzone.
Kareem Hunt also got loose out of the backfield on a few deep balls, even though one was a near miss and would have been a TD, but still put up 5/105/1. Hunt also had 10 carries for 80 yards, displaying excellent yards after contact ability. The offensive line continues to do a fantastic job of keeping Mahomes clean, holding the Pats without a sack and allowing just one QB hit.
The defense is another story. They lack playmakers and talent at all 3 levels really. Dee Ford and Chris Jones lead the way up bunch, but Ford is pretty one dimensional as a speed rusher, and Jones is more of a run stuffer. The secondary needs Eric Berry back desperately as they need a difference maker. Jordan Lucas and Ron Parker just are not getting it done.
Injuries and Inactive Watch
EDGE Justin Houston (hamstring) – questionable, C Mitch Morse (concussion) – questionable
Predictions
As you may know, this game replaced the Rams/49ers game as the NFL decided to flex this game to primetime. I personally don’t like flexing games this early in the season, but this will be a fun one regardless. Once again, the bookmakers seem to be pretty much right on the money. Cincinnati will give KC a run for their money, as the Bengals don’t struggle to move the football, and Joe Mixon should have a heyday against the Chiefs up front.
The Chiefs are just going to be too much to handle offensively for the Bengals to win/cover. The Bengals don’t have anyone who can match Tyreek Hill’s long speed, and Jessie Bates in center field will have to keep a close eye to Hill’s side of the field. We see this being a big Travis Kelce game, as you saw Vance McDonald have success against the Bengals linebackers last week. We are gonna take the Chiefs to cover, and we like a small play on the over, but both are gonna be real close, like 34-27ish.
Final Pick: Chiefs (-6) and OVER 58
