The Cincinnati Bengals look to get back on track when they visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Here’s our preview, which includes a prediction, using the best NFL odds from the top sportsbooks.
NFL Pick: Chiefs -5.5 (-110) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Bengals vs. Chiefs
Sunday, September 15, 2024 – 04:25 PM ET at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
Two Teams Heading in Opposite Directions
Patrick Mahomes further cemented his position as the leading MVP candidate with a 27-20 win against the Ravens on Thursday Night Football, while Joe Burrow endured one of the worst games of his career in a disappointing 16-10 home loss to the lowly Patriots.
Mahomes displayed his usual dominance, completing 20 of 28 passes for 291 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Burrow, on the other hand, completed 21 of 29 passes for just 164 yards without a touchdown, and added 15 rushing yards on four carries.
The Bengals, who once seemed poised for a playoff run, now find themselves in a precarious position, while the Chiefs appear to be cruising towards another Super Bowl. This change in fortune is reflected in the betting odds.
Cincinnati’s start to the season couldn’t have gone much worse. Burrow’s shaky performances, combined with Ja’Marr Chase’s holdout and injuries to key players like Tee Higgins and Burrow himself, have quickly dampened the team’s expectations.
While the Bengals have enjoyed some memorable matchups with the Chiefs in recent years—Burrow is the only active quarterback to have beaten Mahomes in the playoffs—their current form suggests those days might be behind them. Kansas City is well on its way to a 2-0 start, but can they cover the spread in this game?
NFL Pick
The Bengals still have the talents of Burrow and Chase, but their offensive line has been a glaring issue, and their defense has also struggled. Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ offense looks better than it has in years, possibly the best version yet.
Against the Ravens, Kansas City averaged a league-best 7.1 yards per pass play and tied for the most passing first downs (15), all without wide receiver Marquise Brown.
Even though the Chiefs weren’t at their peak in Week 1, their offense remains one of the most dangerous in the league. Despite Brown being sidelined, the passing attack still functioned efficiently, generating big plays when needed.
Rookie wideout Xavier Worthy made a significant impact with two touchdowns, but his true value comes from how his speed opens up the offense. Once Brown returns, opposing secondaries will have even more to handle. I expect the Chiefs to win by at least a touchdown, even if Brown doesn’t play.
NFL Pick: Chiefs -5.5 (-110) at Bet365
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