Bengals at Chiefs
Sunday Night Football:
OPEN THREAD
by Laddie Morse
AFC West Implications
The game against the 4-and-2 Cincinnati Bengals tonight, is the biggest game of he season… so far. That seems to be an emerging and unending theme as each game, each week, is the biggest game of the year. Had the Kansas City Chiefs beaten the New England Patriots last Sunday evening, then this game would not mean as much. Now, with that loss on their record, and being only one game in front of AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers, this game means much, much more moving forward.
With the Chargers facing the 3-and-3 Tennessee Titans as we speak, across the pond, as they say (Wembley Stadium in London), the Chiefs may have the harder challenge of the two, although playing at home as opposed to traveling a quarter way around the world will be –> advantage Chiefs. Now, the reality is, even if the Chargers win and the Chiefs lose and they end up with tied records after Sunday is over… the Chiefs will still hold the tie-breaker, having already gone to L.A. and whipped the Chargers on their soil.
The other problem with losing today is… it will look a little bit like last season when after 5 wins out of the gate, the Chiefs lost 5 of their next 6 games. That’s another reason I’m glad this game is at Arrowhead today because the Chiefs don’t need to begin a losing streak and the K.C. home cookin’ noise should lend a heapin’ helpin’ of hootin’ and hollerin’ enough to change the game. That kind of support can help a young team like Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs.
Your Beast of Burden
The offense of the Chiefs is good. Really good. In fact, it may go down in NFL history as being one of the best ever, as the next few season’s play out. However, just like the Chiefs offense of the early 2000’s, the defense is, well, wanting. While GM Brett Veach, head coach Andy Reid, and defensive coordinator Bob Sutton work on fixing that side of the ball, the offense must make sure they play up to their potential and carry the weight for the team, especially if this team hopes to win deep into the playoffs this season.
Up until last week, the Chiefs offense outscored their opponent 59-to-9 in the first quarter. That not only signals a dominance for the offense but a certain amount of stout stoppage ability for the defense. Nine points total given up in your first five games, in the first quarter? That’s not just good, it’s great.
The lack of any kind of defense, was a huge problem for the Chiefs last week. Yes, the team won the coin toss six games in a row and deferred in each game… giving the defense a chance to go out and get an early stop. Which, for the most part, they did in games 1-5. That allowed Patrick Mahomes and his band of carry men (you know, because they “carry” the defense)… to attack down the field which helped them put up copious quantities of early points. However, last week, during the first half, that didn’t happen, and the Chiefs went into half time down by 15 points at 24-to-9, New England. The weight of playing from behind appeared to negatively affect both sides of the ball, in the first 30 minutes. Then things changed. In a good way.
Make Adjustments… or Bust
What is clearly impressive is that the offense, led by Patrick Mahomes, responded big-time by outscoring the Patriots in the second half 31-to-19 and taking the lead for a short time. In years past — and I’m not trying to make a statement about any past players here — the Chiefs would simply fold their tents and go home to live to fight another day… but not this time. That’s one of the most impressive signs I witnessed last week. Not only out of Patrick Mahomes, but the whole offense. Now, the defense? It’s enough to say that the Pats didn’t punt during the whole game. If they had come through even once? A much different outcome could be expected. Then again, they were up against a GOAT, in his own barnyard no less.
On to the Cincinnati Bengals
Knowing what we know about the Chiefs so far, this appears to be a game all about Patrick Mahomes and his swarming horde of super star buddies bouncing back after taking a hit. I have the “feeling” that this offense will rope-a-dope the rest of the league while making reparations to their defense. It’s hard for me to see the Bengals keeping up with this year’s Chiefs. Also, it should be a perfect evening for Chiefs football tonight.
Predictions and Projections
I’m 5-and-1 in predicting Chiefs wins and losses this year. I am of course hesitant to ever pick another team besides the Chiefs. That’s just me, always hoping for the best. While I think this game is an important game to win, I also think they will manhandle the Bengals who won’t be able to come back from a lead that Mahomes and his cohorts build early.
Chiefs 48, Bengals 24.
ITMN (Information That Means Nothing)
A full sized Bengal Tiger can reach from 35 to 40 miles per hour… while a full grown Cheetah can run 65 to 75 mph.
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