An inside take a look at Sunday’s Chiefs-Bengals AFC Championship recreation in Kansas Metropolis, Mo.:
Marquee matchup
Bengals QB Joe Burrow vs. the Chiefs’ go rush
The Titans sacked Burrow 9 instances within the divisional playoff recreation final week, one thing the Bengals know they've to repair in opposition to the Chiefs. The Bengals have had a troublesome time all season defending Burrow, and the Chiefs, who sacked Burrow 4 instances on Jan.2 , shall be seeking to tee off on the younger QB.
“There’s lots of issues that play into it, beginning with me placing him in the perfect place, placing our guys in the perfect place to dam the opposite crew and be ready for pressures and all that sort of stuff,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor stated. “We spend lots of effort and time speaking by way of that. Some video games, it’s nice. Some video games, we’re going to wish to enhance.”
Chris Jones led the Chiefs with 9 sacks this season. Kansas Metropolis additionally has Frank Clark to get to Burrow.
In simply his second season within the NFL, Burrow has already positioned himself among the many greatest quarterbacks within the league. He threw for 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns this season.
“He’s uncommon,” Taylor stated this week. “It’s inconceivable to place into phrases why he's what he's.”
Costello’s name
The Bengals are on the rise, however the Chiefs are already on the prime of their recreation. Patrick Mahomes and Kansas Metropolis won't want any last-minute magic on this one. They are going to management the sport from begin to end.
Chiefs 35, Bengals 20
4 downs
Ok.C. dynamic duo: It was becoming throughout final week’s last-second comeback that Patrick Mahomes threw first to Tyreek Hill, then to Travis Kelce, to maneuver the Chiefs into field-goal vary. These two have been constant superstars for the Chiefs, and shall be a key if they're to beat the Bengals and return to the Tremendous Bowl.
Kelce caught 92 passes for 1,125 yards and 9 touchdowns this season. Hill broke Kelce’s crew report with 111 catches for 1,239 yards and 9 touchdowns.
“That one is meant to be held by a large receiver. The tight finish isn’t at all times the focus within the offense,” Kelce stated. “Tyreek has executed an unbelievable job of taking his recreation to the subsequent degree. Positive sufficient, you see him breaking data … and he’s simply going to maintain taking off. It’s so enjoyable to play with him.”
Protecting Chase: The final time these two groups met, Bengals large receiver Ja’Marr Chase embarrassed the Chiefs. The rookie from LSU caught 11 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns within the 34-31 Bengals win. Kansas Metropolis was not alone amongst groups that Chase made look foolish this season. He had 81 catches for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns.
It's going to be as much as Chiefs cornerbacks Charvarius Ward and L’Jarius Sneed to decelerate Chase. Payments quarterback Josh Allen carved the Kansas Metropolis protection up final week. Can Burrow and Chase get them once more?
Massive Purple: Chiefs head coach Andy Reid already has a résumé that may put him in consideration for the Corridor of Fame. One other Tremendous Bowl title would make him a lock. Reid can match Tom Landry for the second-most playoff wins in NFL historical past with a victory over the Bengals. It could be Reid’s twentieth playoff win. Solely Invoice Belichick has extra with 31.
A win would additionally give Reid his fourth Tremendous Bowl look, and third straight with the Chiefs, after one with the Eagles in 2004.
Reid is fifth all-time in teaching wins with 233. He trails simply Don Shula (328), George Halas (318), Belichick (290) and Landry (250).
Kick-Pherson: The Bengals have loads of younger stars, but it surely was their kicker who stole the present final week in opposition to the Titans. Evan McPherson, a rookie from Florida, booted a 52-yard subject objective as time expired to win the sport for Cincinnati, giving the franchise its first street playoff win.
McPherson is 8-for-8 in these playoffs.
“Having been round him for the reason that first day he confirmed up for coaching camp,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor stated, “and the way constant he’s been, simply his demeanor and the way he carries himself, there’s no false confidence there. The man’s the true deal. He believes he’s going to make each kick that leaves this foot, and he got here by way of for us.”
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