So here we go again: the Kansas City Chiefs against the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead in a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship game.
Twelve months ago, it was the Bengals who went to Missouri and turned around a 21-3 first half deficit to stun Patrick Mahomes and co. in overtime.
After the visitors dominated the Bills in Orchard Park and the Chiefs rather limped over the line – literally – against the Jags, will KC have their revenge here or can a rolling Bengals side reach back-to-back Super Bowls? Time for some props…
Joe Burrow proved by some stretch the superior QB over Josh Allen in New York and the Bengals’ star man can go to a remarkable 4-0 record over Mahomes with a Bengals win on Sunday. Having tipped the Ohio side to win from the wild cards at 8/1, Cincinnati are now looking good to at the very least get to Glendale, however, the bookies are finding it difficult to separate the sides.
Indeed, whilst QuinnBet have the Bengals at 10/11, SBK carry the Chiefs at 16/17.
The big cloud hanging over Sunday’s game will of course be the lingering doubt over Mahomes’ sprained ankle he sustained last weekend. Just how limited his mobility will be? That could mean any punts on passing yards are heavily affected, so perhaps turning to Joe Burrow to supply the big plays could be the smart move?
Sticking with QuinnBet, one of their featured props of Burrow to throw 300+ yds and his trusty WR Ja’Marr Chase to receive 100+ yds at 11/4 is worthy of consideration.
The game could also see the Chiefs running the football more than usual and so Isaiah Pacheco should be looked at, after 12 carries and a total of 95 rushing yds for an average of just under eight yds per play against Jacksonville.
Accordingly, a Pacheco TD and 65+ rushing yds is available at 7/2 with William Hill.
Though Mahomes was rather hampered against the Jags, Travis Kelce still put in a typically dominant playoff performance with a TD brace and the Chiefs’ tight end will be eyeing a number of catch-and -runs to replicate his 98 yds in the divisional round.
Kelce is evens to score a TD against the Bengals with Betway, a great shot at doubling your stake.
Last year’s contest went to overtime as documented and this does again have all the hallmarks of a tight game. For the game to go to OT once more at Arrowhead, 23/2 odds with UniBet could be worth a punt.
We’ll finish with some combo specials with 888Sport, and the ones to stand out albeit with an element of risk include over 10.5 points to be scored in the first quarter, plus both Kelce and Chase to score a TD at 49/10.
For slightly longer, a 25/4 punt for the Bengals to win, again over 10.5 points in the first quarter and both teams to score over 2.5 TDs is on the table.
