Revenge: Are Chiefs More Prepared For Bengals This Year?

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Arguably the biggest game left on the Kansas City Chiefs 2022 schedule will take place this Sunday. They will travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals. As of now, Kansas City is 9-2 with the current AFC number one seed in their grasp. The Bengals are 7-4 and currently hold a wild card spot in the AFC playoff picture. Despite being in second place in the AFC North, Cincinnati is tied record-wise with the Baltimore Ravens, who have begun to struggle.

Once the 2022 schedule came out, this game was heavily circled and highly anticipated, at least from the perspective of the Chiefs. Kansas City lost both games to Cincinnati last year. One came in the final weeks of the regular season. Meanwhile, the Bengals also downed the Chiefs in last year’s AFC Championship Game, denying Kansas City a third-straight Super Bowl appearance. As a result, Kansas City has revenge on their minds during this week’s trip to Cincinnati.

Revisiting Last Year’s Crushing Losses

Not only did both losses to the Bengals include devastating finishes, but they also were two games that were eerily similar. The Chiefs largely had a strong first half in each game. Specifically offensively, Kansas City’s passing attack with Patrick Mahomes was the most lethal threat to Cincinnati. It also helped Kansas City gain a mostly commanding lead in each contest, to boot.

However, there were multiple mistakes in many areas in the second half of those two games. Offensively, the Chiefs looked for the home run too often, while also abandoning the running game. This caused KC to get in their own way and in their own head. But defensively, they also began to play more hesitant against Joe Burrow as the games got deeper. The Bengals quarterback was able to pick his spots, extend plays with his legs and put daggers into the hearts of the Chiefs defense with perfectly thrown passes in the intermediate or deep passing game. You saw missed tackles and a lack of energy from Kansas City’s defensive unit. Finally, the coaching got away from their bread and butter and coached not to lose, rather than coaching to win. You cannot do that against explosive teams, as the Chiefs found out against the Bengals.

The Hunter Vs The Hunted

Despite currently holding the AFC’s number seed, Kansas City will arguably be the hunters in this matchup. The Bengals have somehow become the hunted between these two teams. Much of that has to do with the head-to-head results from last year. Yet, we also have to remember that Kansas City has played with a different edge, attitude and confidence this season. That is not to say that the Chiefs have lacked confidence in recent years. Cincinnati can still match that same energy as well.

Nonetheless, Kansas City was forced to adjust their offensive attack and lean on new and different traits from players on defense this season. Because of their execution with that, the Chiefs have become harder to defend. They are finishing games stronger, which did not happen last year against the Bengals. Additionally, the unpredictability allows for many different players to get a piece of the pie, so to speak. That helps to make Kansas City stronger, tougher and more versatile in these critical matchups, to boot.

Accordingly, the Bengals are not much different than they were last year. Their scheme, tendencies and ceiling is still at the same surface to where it was last season. But unlike the Chiefs, Cincinnati is operating with less room for error. The Bengals already have four losses this season. Even with some wins over some top teams, Kansas City will be looking to deliver a major punch to the Bengals’ playoff hopes or playoff ceiling. Can Cincinnati operate loosely? Or, will the Bengals play too tight in a massive game?

Newly-Designed Roster Could Give Chiefs Boost Against Bengals

The Bengals quietly have some of the best team depth in the league, especially at the skill positions. However, there are some newly added pieces that the Chiefs could use to poke holes in the Cincinnati game plan. Let’s start with the Kansas City offense.

In the running game, there is a greater mix of power and speed. This surrounds rookie running back Isiah Pacheco. Simply put, he hits the hole harder and with more determination than Clyde Edwards-Helaire. His wicked change of direction skills and broken tackle ability are also greater than CEH’s abilities in those same areas. Moreover, Chiefs wide receivers are immediately winning leverage more often in the outside perimeter. Kansas City is generating consistent high totals of yards after the catch on quick passes, due to the wider array of shapes and sizes in the wide receiver room.

Defensively, the Chiefs were eager to add more speed, physicality and length with new defenders this past offseason. At cornerback, the rookie trio of Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson have all held their ground adequately, while L’Jarius Sneed continues to be a unique weapon. This group has been extremely potent when looking to frustrate opposing receivers. Certainly, that is an area where Kansas City struggled last year against Cincinnati. The Chiefs have also seen more production from their pass rush, something to watch against an often-patient passer like Burrow. Lastly, the KC run defense has continued to display tremendous energy and pursuit from all angles.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles and analysis throughout this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.