Bengals @ Chiefs - Preview, Pick & Props!

The Bengals visit the Chiefs at 6:30 p.m. as a red-hot Joe Burrow will face off against a potentially gimpy Patrick Mahomes (ankle) in what should be an incredibly entertaining game. 

The Bengals are riding a 10-game winning streak and Burrow is not only 3-0 against the Chiefs, including last season’s AFC title game, but is 3-0 on the road in playoff games where he was an underdog in all three. The Bengals beat the Ravens 24-17 two weeks ago when Burrow threw for 209 yards and a touchdown to advance. Joe Mixon rushed for just 39 yards in that one, although Burrow was able to run one in for a score. Ja’Marr Chase caught nine balls for 84 yards and a touchdown, Hayden Hurst caught four for 45 yards, and Tee Higgins had four catches for 37 yards. The Bengals D had two sacks and an interception in that one. 

Last weekend the Bengals beat the Bills 27-10 in Buffalo when Burrow threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Joe Mixon got loose for 105 yards and a touchdown, Chase caught five passes for 61 yards and a score, and Hayden Hurst had five catches for 59 yards and another score. The Cincy D produced one sack and one interception in the win. 

The Chiefs enjoyed a bye week and then took out the Jaguars 27-20 last weekend despite Mahomes suffering an apparently severe ankle injury during the game. Mahomes finished with 195 yards and two TDs on 22-of-30 passing, while Chad Henne was 5-of-7 for 23 yards and a TD while Mahomes’ ankle was being worked on. Isaiah Pacheco had 12 carries for 95 yards (7.9 average) and Jerick McKinnon had 11 carries for 25 yards. Both KC TDs came through the air to Travis Kelce. Kelce caught 14 balls for 98 yards to go along with the scores, Kadarius Toney caught five passes for 36 yards and JuJu Smith-Schuster caught just two balls for 29 yards. Marquez Valdes-Scalding was nearly invisible with just one catch for six yards. 

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Mahomes had one of his best games of the season in a Week 13 matchup against the Bengals with a QBR of 79.6 while in the pocket, and just a 14.0 from outside the pocket. Given that his ankle is dinged up and he shouldn’t be as mobile as usual, look for Mahomes to spend a lot of time in the pocket throwing the ball tonight.

The Chiefs were just 7-11 against the spread this season and 11 losses ATS is a huge number. Meanwhile, the Bengals were 13-5 ATS this season. The Chiefs have won six straight games and are 11-2 over their last 13, and the Bengals have won 10 straight games and are 14-2 over their last 16 games. 

Top performing Oddscrowd bettor tomwitthauer likes the Chiefs Moneyline and Mike Rose likes the Over on 48 tonight. We like the fact that Burrow is 3-0 against Mahomes in his career and leads a potent offense against a banged up Mahomes and the Chiefs. 

Pick 1: Bengals +1.5

Pick 2: Over 48.5 points scored

Prop 1: Travis Kelce anytime TD

Prop 2: Joe Burrow Over 277.5 passing yards

Prop 3: Ja’Marr Chase Over 85.5 receiving yards