When Is the AFC Championship Game? Date, Location, Odds, Prediction for Bengals vs. Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals will face off for the second time this season in the AFC Championship Game for a chance to play in Super Bowl 56. 

These two teams already faced off earlier this season, with the Bengals taking a high-scoring affair behind a huge game from Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. 

Cincinnati upset the No. 1 seed Tennessee Titans in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, while the Chiefs won a thrilling game against the Buffalo Bills in overtime. 

Cincinnati hadn’t won a playoff game since 1991, but it has already taken down the Titans and Las Vegas Raiders this postseason. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the Chiefs and Bengals heading into Sunday’s AFC Championship Game. 

When Is the AFC Championship Game? 

The AFC Championship Game will be the first of the two conference title games to be played this weekend. 

• Date: Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022
• Kickoff time: 3:00 p.m. EST
• TV channel: CBS
• Live stream: CBS Sports App | fuboTV

Kansas City has won the last two AFC title games, and it is 1-1 in the Super Bowl over the past two seasons. The Chiefs are looking to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl for the third time under Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. 

The Bengals and Joe Burrow are in their first playoff run since Zac Taylor took over as the team’s head coach, but they have won and covered the spread in both of their playoff games this season. 

Where Is the AFC Championship Game?

The No. 2 seed Chiefs will play host to the No. 4 seed Bengals in this matchup. 

• City: Kansas City, Missouri
• Stadium: Arrowhead Stadium

This will be the fourth straight season that the Chiefs have hosted the AFC Championship Game. The team is 2-1 in the three previous matchups, with the lone loss coming to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the 2018 season. 

Arrowhead Stadium opened in 1972 and while it has undergone numerous changes, it is still one of the most popular and loudest venues in the NFL. 

AFC Championship Game Odds for Bengals vs. Chiefs

The Chiefs are favored to win this game at WynnBET Sportsbook, but let’s break down the odds and total.

Spread:

• Bengals +7 (-110)
• Chiefs -7 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Bengals: +265
• Chiefs: -330

Total:

• 54 (Over -110/Under -110)

The Chiefs are favored in this game, and they are the favorites to win the Super Bowl (+130 at WynnBET) this season. 

Despite that, it is worth noting that the Bengals are 5-1 against the spread as a road underdog this season, and they have covered in both of their playoff games this season. 

The Chiefs are an impressive 7-3 against the spread in the playoffs under Patrick Mahomes, and they are coming off an extremely high-scoring game against the Bills, hence the high total at 54 in this game. 

Can Kansas City get revenge on the Bengals for beating them earlier in the season?

AFC Championship Game Prediction for Bengals vs. Chiefs

Our own Ben Heisler thinks that this game could be one to take the over on the total in, but I think the Bengals are the team to trust in this game. 

Cincy has been great against the spread as a road underdog, and the Chiefs showed that their defense can get exposed without Tyrann Mathieu in the lineup. 

I like the Bengals to cover the seven-point spread, but don’t be surprised if Mahomes and company pull off another crazy win and advance to the Super Bowl for the third straight year. 

AFC Championship Game Winners By Year (Last 10 Seasons)

• 2021: Kansas City Chiefs
• 2020: Kansas City Chiefs
• 2019: New England Patriots
• 2018: New England Patriots
• 2017: New England Patriots
• 2016: Denver Broncos
• 2015: New England Patriots
• 2014: Denver Broncos
• 2013: Baltimore Ravens
• 2012: New England Patriots