It wasn’t pretty, but it didn’t have to be beautiful for the Kansas City Chiefs to win their eighth straight AFC West Title. In defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 25-17, the Chiefs lock down the third seed in the playoffs. The offense did just enough, and Harrison Butker kicked six field goals, which sealed the win.
With the win in hand, the Kansas City Chiefs enter Week 18 without reason to play his big-time performers. In defeating the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Head Coach Andy Reid can rest his starters and prepare them for the Wild Card round at Arrowhead in two weeks.
Against the Bengals, Patrick Mahomes was 21 of 29 for 245 yards with one touchdown pass and played his most complete game in a long stretch of futility. Unlike the result from Monday, falling behind 17-7 in the second quarter, Mahomes spread the ball to seven different receivers, including a pair of long passes to Rashee Rice for 67 yards and Justin Watson for 41 yards, which spread out the Bengals for secondary.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Chiefs had six sacks against Jake Browning. Most of the sacks came in the fourth quarter, including two from George Karlaftis and Justin Reid. Browning didn’t score another point after their early ten-point lead because Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo changed his coverages and increased the pressure on Browning when he had to pass the ball.
Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed held Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase to three catches and 41 yards, essentially shutting up all his bulletin board fodder. Before the game, Chase dissed Snead and the Chiefs secondary. However, that defense held Browning to a single touchdown pass and 197 yards passing.
At times, the Chiefs’ offense struggled, but they looked more like their old self on their first drive of the game. However, even though they didn’t score another touchdown in the red zone, they kept moving the ball, and Butker did all the work.
Regardless of some of their revolving issues offensively, with one turnover and several drops, including two more by MVS, I always felt the Chiefs would find a way to win this game. It’ll be interesting to see how much momentum Mahomes and Reid get from this game heading into the Wild Card round.
The AFC began to take shape with the Baltimore Ravens punishing the Miami Dolphins 56-19 to lock up the top seed. As I said, the Chiefs can’t lose their current seeding, and their likely opponent will be the loser of the Buffalo Bills Miami Dolphins game next Sunday.
Still, if you’re a fan, there were so many positives in this game that even though the Chiefs aren’t playing at an elite level, they can gain a lot of confidence from this game.
They are still the defending Super Bowl Champion, and as great as the Ravens looked today, it’s not inconceivable the Chiefs can make it back to their sixth AFC Championship game. This time, it’s likely to be on the road unless the top seeds lose in the divisional round.
Either way, Kansas City got some of its mojo back in time.
Now, the fun begins!
