Chiefs vs Bengals Preview (12/4/22): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Chart

It’s the third edition of Burrow-Mahomes, with this battle taking place in Cincinnati for the first time. After the Bengals upset the Chiefs twice last season, including in the AFC Championship Game, the Chiefs will look to beat QB Joe Burrow for the first time and prove their supremacy in the AFC. Burrow and the Bengals will try to get their 3rd straight win against the Chiefs and end their 5 game winning streak.

Kansas City Chiefs Vs. Cincinnati Bengals Betting Odds

The Chiefs are (-1.5) favorites over the Bengals (+1.5). The over/under is set at 52.5, the highest total of the weekend. With both teams featuring heavier pass offenses and weak rushing attacks, don’t be surprised if this contest turns into a high scoring passing affair.

Kansas City Chiefs Vs. Cincinnati Bengals Prediction

If history repeats itself, the Bengals will follow up a win in Tennessee with a win against the Chiefs, just like in last year’s playoffs. Though the score wasn’t different too different in their win over the Titans, their play improved in one key area–the offensive line. After famously giving up 9 sacks in last season’s playoff victory, the Bengals only gave up 1 sack this past week. The offensive line hasn’t given up more than 2 sacks the past three weeks, which will need to continue versus the Chiefs this week. The Chiefs have sacked opposing quarterbacks 35 times, 5th most in the league and DE Chris Jones added another sack versus the Rams to increase his season total to 10.

The Chiefs racked their 5th win in a row versus the Rams last Sunday. The defense excelled in this win, holding Rams QB Bryce Perkins to just 100 passing yards on the day. They also sacked Perkins 3x and picked him off twice, including LB Nick Bolton getting his second interception in two weeks, this one off of a tipped pass.

BIG PLAY BOLTON ⚡️

📺: #LARvsKC on FOX pic.twitter.com/VZcMrhaGfp

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 28, 2022

The offense will need to get a faster start against the Bengals after they settle for four field goals during the Rams game. If the Bengals 6th best redzone defense can keep the Chiefs out of the end zone, it will give them the best chance at winning.

This is one of the toughest picks of the season, but I’m going to bet on the Chiefs getting the win and covering the small spread.

Prediction: Chiefs 31-28, Over hits

Betting Trends

Chiefs are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game.
Bengals are 11-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.

Key Injuries

Kansas City Chiefs Injuries: Kadarius Toney (Q), Juan Thornhill (Q), Joe Thuney (Q), Blake Bell (Q)

Cincinnati Bengals Injuries: Joe Mixon (Q), Ja’Marr Chase (Q), Tycen Anderson (Q), Brandon Wilson (Q), Josh Tupou (Q), Clark Harris (Q), Drew Sample (Q)

Key Matchups

Patrick Mahomes vs the Bengals Defense

QB Patrick Mahomes was just announced as the November AFC Offensive Player of the Month and is a favorite once again for MVP. Mahomes leads the league in passing yards and touchdowns. Not only does he already have 29 touchdown throws on the year, but he has six more than second place on the list. He also has a streak of six consecutive 300 yard passing games and will easily be the toughest test for the Bengals defense all season. The Bengals could stall Mahomes if they get pressure on him like in the playoffs last season when DE Sam Hubbard sacked him twice and DE Trey Hendrickson also added 1.5 sacks. If not, the secondary better watch out for Mahomes to target TE Travis Kelce who has a touchdown in each of the last 3 games.

Bengals Receivers vs Chiefs Secondary

Amidst the Ja’Marr Chase injury, Tee Higgins has emerged as the Bengals #1 receiver. He is 10th in the league in receiving yards with 826 yards. He is currently on a hot streak, with over 110 yards in his past two games. If Chase returns, this will be a huge advantage for both receivers and take attention away from Higgins. Higgins had an 103 yard game versus the Chiefs in the conference championships while Chase went off for 3 touchdowns and 266 yards in the regular season matchup last season. If either of these receivers repeat one of those performances, it will increase the Bengals chances for a 3rd straight win over the Chiefs. Chiefs S Justin Reid has caught headlines this week, saying they will be locking up all Bengals ensure they know their opponents identities before taking the field Sunday.

Kansas City Chiefs Depth Chart

QB:Patrick Mahomes
RB1: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
RB2: Jerick McKinnon
LWR: Marquez Valdez-Scantling
RWR: Juju Smith-Schuster
SWR: Mecole Hardman
TE1: Travis Kelce

Cincinnati Bengals Depth Chart

QB: Joe Burrow
RB1: Joe Mixon
RB2: Samaje Perine
LWR: Ja’Marr Chase
RWR: Tee Higgins
SWR: Tyler Boyd
TE1: Hayden Hurst