NFL coach has strong take on how the Bengals vs Chiefs AFC Championship game will go on Sunday
Ahead of the AFC Championship game on Sunday, The Athletic interviewed several anonymous coaches and executives to get their take on the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals. This is the second straight season that the two franchises have met in the AFC Championship game. A year ago, the Bengals won […]
Ahead of the AFC Championship game on Sunday, The Athletic interviewed several anonymous coaches and executives to get their take on the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals.
This is the second straight season that the two franchises have met in the AFC Championship game. A year ago, the Bengals won 27-24 in Kansas City to earn a trip to the Super Bowl.
The game is once again in Kansas City this season, but it's the Bengals that are mostly viewed as the favorites, thanks in part to Patrick Mahomes' sprained ankle (he's playing, but he could be limited).
One anonymous coach that The Athletic spoke to doesn't think Cincinnati will have many issues with the Chiefs. He suggested that the Bengals will eliminate superstar Travis Kelce from being a factor in the game.
"The Bengals know how to play the Chiefs, will take Kelce out of the game and not allow explosive plays downfield,” said the anonymous coach. “K.C. has trouble handling the blitz and pressure without Mahomes making athletic plays. The ankle a week later will probably be worse than it was in the last game — tighter and mobility will be [an] issue. Pressure packages will get to him, and their offense will be tough to keep consistently moving."
“The Bengals are the most complete team in the AFC," added the coach. "Their offense will be able to handle (Kansas City's) rushes. And if the Chiefs sit back in coverage, they will get picked apart.”
When Cincinnati beat the Chiefs in December, they held Kelce to four catches for 56 yards. In the AFC Championship game last year, Kelce caught 10 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.
That's not exactly shutting Kelce down, but the Bengals did manage to prevent some of those explosive plays (I'm not sure anyone can actually shut Kelce down, teams just have to hope to limit the damage).
There's no doubt that Cincy has the advantage this weekend with Mahomes' injury playing a factor, but nothing is certain when it comes to the playoffs. And Mahomes, even on a bad ankle, is still a magician. I'm sure he'll have some signature moments against the Bengals. Cincy will just need to keep those moments to a minimum.
Featured image via Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
