The Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) are gearing up to face the Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) in Week 13.
Just as we have over the past six seasons, the Chiefs Wire staff will offer its weekly predictions for each Chiefs game. Below you’ll find all of our picks for Kansas City’s Week 13 matchup against the Bengals on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 3:25 p.m. CT at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Charles Goldman's prediction:
I think the big thing for Kansas City — they must make sure they don’t get too caught up in the emotions of the AFC Championship loss last season during this game. Before the week of preparation really began, guys like Patrick Mahomes, Nick Bolton and Chris Jones were reflecting on their failures in that game. As the week progressed, they seemed more intent on putting that game in the past and preparing for the team they have ahead of them.
This Bengals team has some clear weaknesses that the Chiefs can exploit this year. Their offensive line is playing better, but they’re hardly playing great. They’ve got some injuries in the secondary that could play a factor. Ja’Marr Chase is just coming back from injury and could be on a pitch count. Joe Mixon might not even play. It just feels like the time is now for Kansas City to pounce on a weakened opponent that had their number the past two times.
Joe Burrow is a competitor and he’s playing at a high level and for those reasons I still expect the game to be close. I wouldn’t be shocked to see a classic game-winning drive from Mahomes. After the way the AFC title match ended, I feel like he’ll be at his best for a full four quarters. When it comes time to finish, I expect that he won’t hesitate to twist the dagger.
Chiefs 31, Bengals 24
Ed Easton Jr.'s prediction:
The Kansas City Chiefs have the opportunity to heal some wounds from last year’s AFC Championship game. A rematch with the Cincinnati Bengals at this point in the season is a critical stress test for the team heading into the postseason run.
Patrick Mahomes will need to be sharp early and often as the game will be more of a shootout, and the winner could be determined by who has the final possession. The spreading of targets throughout the receiving core will be essential as the Bengals will seek to double Travis Kelce. Isiah Pacheco needs another solid performance to further the offense and avoid being one-dimensional.
On defense, the secondary will be challenged by the Bengals receivers and an inspired Joe Burrow looking to notch his third straight victory over Kansas City. A healthy Joe Mixon will cause problems as Nick Bolton will need to be active and continue his stellar tackling this season. The game will probably be decided in overtime again and by a Harrison Butker field goal.
Chiefs 45, Bengals 42 (OT)
Nick Roesch's prediction:
Most Chiefs fans would tell you that last season K.C. lost its two matchups against the Bengals more so than Cincinnati won them. I think there’s a degree of truth to that, but if the Bengals beat the Chiefs for a third time in less than a calendar year it will prove that they are a bad matchup for the Chiefs and that Cincinnati has their number.
The Bengals have the best trio of receivers in the league for my money. Tyler Boyd is a great route runner who works the underneath and Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are absolute matchup nightmares. I like how the Chiefs are building their secondary, but I’m not sure if the young unit can match the savvy, athleticism and physicality of those three receivers.
The Chiefs have to not only get consistent pressure on Joe Burrow but bring him down for sacks. Burrow escaped pressure countless times during the AFC Championship game last year and made the Chiefs pay. K.C. also needs to create turnovers from the pressure it puts on Burrow. The Chiefs are -3 in turnover differential this season.
Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo made great second-half adjustments in both games against K.C. last season. Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy have to be willing to also make adjustments if they’re going to finish off the Bengals this time around. This game is going to be the Chiefs’ last big test before the playoffs and if they can get the win, the road to the No. 1 seed in the AFC will be golden.
As a lifelong Chiefs fan, I know that they don’t often make things easy. I fear that the Bengals are indeed a bad matchup for them and Cincinnati once again gets the best of K.C. in a tight one.
Bengals 33, Chiefs 30
Wesley Roesch's prediction:
The Bengals played their absolute best football twice against the Chiefs last season, yet won both games by just three points. Of course, a win is a win, but I think Kansas City is actually a better team now than it was last season, especially its defense. I’m not so sure I can say the same about the Bengals.
This time around, I expect the Chiefs to earn a bit more pass rush — after all, K.C. is fifth in the NFL in sacks with 35. I also expect the running game to be established better than last season. Running back Isiah Pacheco has almost 300 yards from scrimmage over the past three games, so I bet he will be a focal point of the Chiefs’ game plan.
All that should add up to a better game for the Chiefs which will allow them to close out a tight win. I’m sure this will come down to another Patrick Mahomes MVP-level drive in the fourth quarter.
Chiefs 30, Bengals 27
