Chiefs Vs Bengals AFC Championship Game: Keys To Victory

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The time for talking is almost over before Sunday’s kickoff. For the second straight season, we will see the Kansas City Chiefs host the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game. Cincinnati is looking to reach the Super Bowl for the second consecutive season. Meanwhile, Kansas City is hoping to end their losing streak against the Bengals, while looking to reach the Super Bowl for the third time in the last four years.

Recent history between these two teams is well documented. In the quarterback matchup of Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow, Burrow holds a 3-0 record head-to-head. Earlier this year in the regular season, Cincinnati won at home against Kansas City by a score of 27-24. The Bengals have defeated the Chiefs by three points in all of the last three meetings.

Today, we will be listing some keys to victory for each squad. How could the Chiefs or the Bengals emerge victorious? We will list three keys for both Kansas City and Cincinnati. Let’s kick it off.

Keys To Victory- Kansas City

Set The Tone Upfront

In order to match or stay ahead of the Bengals’ intensity, the Chiefs must set the tone upfront in the trenches. That goes for each side of the ball. Kansas City’s defensive line is well aware of the dominance that the Cincinnati offensive line displayed last week. More importantly, the Chiefs offensive line has to keep Mahomes clean and avoid giving up hits where defenders go untouched. Kansas City’s signal caller looks as good as can be, despite his ankle injury. Though, it will be up to the blocking unit to keep that from worsening as much as possible. Led by Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals are a physical and dense pass rush.

Get Mahomes In Rhythm Early

Beyond protecting Mahomes, the Chiefs should look to get the passing game going through quick passes early. This does not have to be their entire attack all game long. But, Kansas City may want to protect Mahomes by getting in rhythm with simple throws in the first quarter. This could result from bubble passes out to the perimeter. It could result from RPO looks. Furthermore, the Chiefs and Mahomes may look to set up their patented screen game within the first few drives. Kansas City cannot hesitate to get Mahomes comfortable and settled in, despite his past success and lack of massive pain in his ankle.

Execute In Third Down Situations

If you look back at the recent losses to the Bengals, the Chiefs have struggled mightily in situational football. Third down execution will have to be airtight throughout this contest, in order to reach Super Bowl LVII. Kansas City cannot overthink third down play calling on offense. Simply put, keep the ball in the hands of your top playmakers and work vertically up the field. Defensively, the Chiefs have to be able to provide more pressure on Burrow than they did in this year’s regular season matchup. Kansas City also sat in soft zones far too often in the latest meeting. Will the Chiefs be more willing to mix up coverages against the lethal Cincinnati passing attack?

Keys To Victory- Cincinnati

Stop Kelce

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For the most part, the Bengals have actually corralled Travis Kelce well in the last few games. Yet, we know that the all-world tight end can break free and spark momentum in any instant. The Jacksonville Jaguars actually attempted to bracket him last week in the Divisional Round. Nevertheless, Kelce found soft spots and set a new record for most catches in a playoff game for a non-running back with 14 receptions. The Chiefs have to be pleased with the growth that has occurred with their wide receivers. But far and away, Kelce is the top weapon that the Bengals will have to account for.

Be Ready For The Run

For obvious reasons, the Chiefs offense is known more for the aerial attack. Kansas City was able to find some success on the ground in Cincinnati earlier this season, however. Isiah Pacheco appeared to relish in the tenacious matchup with the Bengals. With his mix of speed and power, Cincinnati knows that they will have to be prepared to tackle him in space. On the flip side, Jerick McKinnon can come in and outrace some of the top Bengals defenders. Kansas City may also increase their rushing attempts, due to Cincinnati dropping seven or eight defenders into coverage.

Let It Fly Deep

Primarily, the Bengals will operate with the quick passing game or the intermediate passing game. That is not to say that Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and others cannot have success deep. We just do not see Cincinnati prioritize that area of the passing attack very consistently. This is an area where Kansas City has been vulnerable as a pass defense. Trent McDuffie‘s second half reemergence helped mitigate that to a degree. According to Next Gen Stats, the Chiefs have allowed 12 passing touchdowns on passes that travel 10 or more air yards this season. That is while Kansas City has been in man coverage. Including the playoffs, that is the second most passing touchdowns allowed in man coverage, while the ball travels 10 or more air yards.

Be on the lookout for our FPC Chiefs articles and analysis following Sunday’s game. 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.