Phillip Maxwell
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Never, never, never, would I have ever imagined that Kansas City Chiefs fans would be coming together in 2022-23 to collectively root for the Cincinnati Bengals. Did I say “Never?” I think I speak for all Chief fans when I say we would rather sit through an IRS audit than to cheer on anything Bengals…… well, except if a Cincinnati Bengals win over the equally hated Buffalo Bills and puts the Chiefs in the driver’s seat for the #1 seed in this year’s upcoming playoffs!
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Under those conditions, I think Chief fans are willing to put their loathing of the Bengals aside — just this once — to achieve a greater goal, one that could make the Chiefs road to the Superbowl a good deal smoother.
It will take two things to happen for the Chiefs to obtain the coveted #1 seed and the luxuries that come with it.
#1 The aforementioned Cincinnati Bengals will need to defeat the Buffalo Bills in tonight’s Monday night contest. A clash between two very talented and well-coached teams. This game could go either way.
#2 The Chiefs will need to take care of business next Saturday against the Las Vegas Raiders in Vegas……and this one will be no small feat. The Raiders would love nothing more than to play spoiler to the Chiefs’ dreams of a #1 seeding.
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Speaking of the Raiders…. in a shocking twist, the Raiders benched starting Quarterback Derek Carr in favor of Jarrett Stidham, whom I must say did an incredible job going up against the 49ers vaunted — and well-deserved — Elite Defense.
Stidham put up a respectable 365 yards on 23/34 with 3 TDs. Unfortunately for the kid, 2 INTs proved to be the one thing keeping him from obtaining a W in his first-ever start for the Raiders. He looked good, and if he brings that kind of game — which I expect he will — to the Chiefs game next weekend, it could be a hard-earned win for the Chiefs… or a grueling loss. –> Heaven Forbid.
One thing to mention though, if the Bills do win tonight’s game, the Chiefs do indeed lock the #2 seed up, as the Bengals would get their 5th loss.
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The #2 seed ain’t bad by no means, but the road to the Super Bowl becomes much harder. Most likely a tough Wild Card battle with the Dolphins, followed by a tough Divisional battle with the Bengals… and if they are still standing, a very tough AFCCG in Buffalo. BLAH!
Of course, several things could alter those scenarios and those examples assume the highest seed always advances, but you know the old saying –> on any given Sunday.
As the #1 seed, the Chiefs could manage to avoid playing both the Bengals and the Bills in the playoffs as they would very likely pair up in the Divisional round while the Chiefs played the lowest seed left standing.
So as you can see, tonight’s Bills vs Bengals game has an enormous bearing on where the Chiefs finish in the seedings, not just the two teams that are locking horns. Plus, it might not be the most popular opinion — but it’s mine — that the Chiefs are going to need all the help they can get!
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Phillip Maxwell — ArrowheadOne
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