AFC Championship Game: 5 bold predictions for Chiefs vs. Bengals
By John Buhler
4. The Cincinnati passing game will go toe-to-toe with the Chiefs aerial attack
It may be a year early for the Bengals, but their high-octane offense looks like it will be here to stay for a while. They have the undeniable star quarterback to build around in Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati receiving corps is as good as anyone’s in the league with the likes of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd and tight end C.J. Uzomah. This is why the Bengals have a puncher’s chance.
The Kansas City defense is prone to giving up the big play through the air, so look for Burrow to find his college buddy Chase on a game-changing, 50-plus-yard touchdown. Cincinnati can also pound the rock with Joe Mixon in the backfield. In a game where nobody really believes the Bengals can win it, Burrow and the Bengals’ passing game will put the NFL world fully on notice.
3. This will be the game that ensures Eric Bieniemy will be a head coach in 2022
It has been more than a long time coming, but this is the game that will convince an NFL owner to give Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy a shot to be a head coach. While he has put many pelts on the wall over the last several years, a main job has somehow evaded. Though he could be leading his alma mater in Boulder, Bieniemy knows his value and will cash in after this ball game.
The Chiefs will have a brilliant offensive game plan that will see them score in a multitude of ways. It will be a great combination of run and pass, as well as tremendous execution in crucial spots, such as in the red zone and on third down. This will be his equivalent of Super Bowl 53 where former New England Patriots assistant Brian Flores asserted himself to be a future head coach.
Though the offenses will be out in full force, time management and defense wins this ball game.