Chiefs’ number was 2021 Bengals, can they beat them again in 2021? – Cincinnati Bengals Blog

CINCINNATI — If any team was going to prove the Cincinnati Bengals weren’t cut out for greatness in 2021, it was the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kansas City is led by a star quarterback Patrick MahomesHe was a part of the three AFC championship games. The Chiefs are still considered one the most talented teams in the NFL. Two times last season, the Chiefs appeared to be on the brink of defeating the Bengals in high stakes games.

Both times Cincinnati folded but buckled. The Bengals beat Kansas City in Week 17, and the AFC championship match saw them come back from defeats. The latter game sent the team to its first Super Bowl since 1989.

Cincinnati beat Kansas City to achieve one of the most difficult feats in the NFL. Kansas City has been played at least twice by 10 teams since 2020. The Bengals are the only team to remain undefeated. And the game has quietly turned into a budding rivalry as they prepare to square off this Sunday at Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS).

“They’ve got a great history in November and December and have won a lot of football games,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said on Monday. “Our guys are up for the challenge and we’re excited for the opportunity.”

“All we needed was a spark”

The Bengals had just finished a two-game winning streak and were facing Kansas City last season. The Bengals won the AFC North and were poised to make it to the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

On that day, the Bengals looked to the combination that would transform their season — the quarterback. Joe Burrow Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.

Chase set the franchise mark with 266 receiving yards. His largest catch was on a thirdand-27 in the third period when Burrow, facing a seven man rush — found him down to the sideline.

Four weeks later, the AFC championship match was rearranged. Cincinnati’s pass protection had become a liability, surrendering nine sacks in the AFC divisional playoff win against the Tennessee Titans.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Bengals ran their offense from under center 12% more than they did in the first game against Kansas City. You can also run back Joe Mixon Chase was able to get more yards from scrimmage (115), but Chase (54).

Cincinnati led 21-3 at one time. It was less than two minutes until halftime. Cincinnati then ran back Samaje Perine It was the spark that gave life a new lease of life. Perine was able to catch a screen pass, make a defender misplace it and score on a 41-yard touchdown running.

“It didn’t matter who it came from, all we needed was a spark,” Perine recalled to ESPN 10 months later. “Once we got that spark, we were off to the races.”

Stopping Mahomes was the key to both victories.

Last season, both Kansas City games saw the Bengals lose touchdowns quickly and face a large deficit. In both instances, Cincinnati did not allow Mahomes to score after halftime.

Lou Anarumo, defensive coordinator, had different defensive game plans. In the Week 17 game, Cincinnati played zone on 73% of Mahomes’ dropbacks, per ESPN Stats & Info. This number dropped to 52.2% four more weeks later.

“You have to try and keep him off-balance at the plate if you want to look at it as a baseball analogy,” Anarumo said. “Because if they see fastball and get fastball, it’s going a long way.”

They were guaranteed a regular season meeting because Cincinnati and Kansas City were division winners in 2021. The Bengals will be trying to do something no other team has done since 2019, winning three games against Mahomes.

Cincinnati has minimized the history between both teams in the week before the big game.

“It’s two different seasons,” Taylor said. “At this point in the year, we’ll go through and be aware of how those games played out and what things they did, and they’ll do the same things with us.”

Each quarterback is also playing at an elite level. Mahomes is first in the NFL for passing touchdowns, while Burrow is second. According to Elias Sports Bureau: This is the first time in the past 30 seasons that the leaders in this category have met after Week 13.

Burrow said that while Mahomes and Burrow will be the focus of most pre-game conversation, they won’t be playing each other directly.

“That’s how the media likes to spin it and it creates energy for the game and anticipation,” Burrow said. “Each quarterback is going against the defense, and when you have two quarterbacks like that, it’s great for the game and great for fans to watch high-level quarterback play.”

Bengals have many receivers Tyler Boyd The matchup was compared to Peyton Manning’s and Tom Brady.

Boyd answered a question about which one was which. He pointed out the statistic that highlights the differences between the teams as the 2022 end draws near.

“Whoever got the most wins, there you go.”