(Kansas City) The Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs typically battle for a spot in the Super Bowl game when snow falls. On Sunday, however, the two clubs will cross swords to keep their chances of participating in the playoffs alive.
The Bengals (8-7) have won three of their last four games to maintain their hopes of clinching a spot among the American Association’s draft teams. However, they desperately need a victory against the Chiefs (9-6) to put themselves in a good position.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, have lost three of their last four games and still need a win – or a little help from the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos – to clinch the section title American West.
“It’s so hard to predict from year to year which teams are going to rise,” said head coach Zac Taylor, who managed to keep the Bengals in the race despite losing his number one quarterback. 1, Joe Burrow, after 10 games this season.
PHOTO MATT DURISKO, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor
“You look at the American Association and [presque toutes] the teams are still there. It will be a question of which ones can find a way to gain and maintain their momentum. »
The Bengals lost their rhythm last week in Pittsburgh when they allowed the Steelers to retreat to the locker room at halftime with a 24-0 lead. They eventually lost 34-11. Jake Browning, who played well after Burrow’s injury, had three interceptions in the game.
“Obviously, there’s a different quarterback, but we’ve had stretches before where we said, ‘Hey, let’s focus on one game at a time,’” Browning said. So we have to focus on the Chiefs, and we’ll see what happens. »
PHOTO DENNY MEDLEY, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid
If the Bengals believe that the favorable situation is still on their side, the Chiefs have rarely been so deprived of it since head coach Andy Reid took control of the club.
The Chiefs’ last game may have been their worst in nearly a decade under Reid. They didn’t allow an offensive touchdown on Christmas Day, but still lost 20-14 to the Raiders.
The Nevada club brought back a Chiefs fumble for the touchdown, then they scored another defensive major after an interception at the expense of Patrick Mahomes on the next play.
The reigning Super Bowl champions no longer have any chance of finishing in first place in the American.
“We are still in first place in the West section,” argued Mahomes. We have another match to win the sectional title. We understand that it will not be easy. But if we continue to work, win this game and make the playoffs, we know we can achieve our goal at the beginning of the year, which is to make it to the Super Bowl. »