Bengals vs Chiefs AFC Championship odds and predictions: Who is the favorite?

For all their huffing and puffing over the last few years, the Chiefs have stumbled when they’ve faced off against the Bengals. If ever there was a time to correct the mistakes of the past, it would be right here and now.

Related stories:

Bengals vs Chiefs: The lay of the land

As you probably know by now, the 2023 AFC Championship Game will be a rematch of last year’s title game, with the Kansas City Chiefs set to host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Interestingly, this will actually be the seventh championship game rematch in NFL history. If you missed it last year, the Bengals defeated the Chiefs 27-24 before going on to lose to the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl. Needless to say, both teams will be looking to go one better in their respective journeys.

Where the quarterback duel is concerned, Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes have met on three occasions previously and it was Burrow who came out on top in all three instances. A point worth noting, is that Mahomes injured his ankle in the Divisional Round win over the Jaguars last week. That’s to say, he’s not going to be at 100%, but with what’s at stake we’re expecting to see an epic show from the Chiefs’ signal caller. As for ‘Joe Cool,’ the Bengals’ man in the middle has been at the center of what is now a 10-game win streak. Do we need to say more? Kickoff at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri., is set for 6:30 p.m. ET.

In Joe Burrow they trust

By now it should be clear, that as long as Joe Burrow is on the field, the Bengals have got a shot at a title. If you’ve got any doubt about that, just consider his performance in Buffalo last Sunday. Add to that, the fact that the Cincinnati has beaten the Chiefs two times this year, including a home game back on December 4th and you may start to understand that this isn’t going to be easy for Kansas City. Indeed, during that last game the Chiefs led by seven entering the fourth quarter, but the Bengals scored 10 straight points to win.

Some might argue that the Bengals haven’t been a pillar of confidence this post season. There nervous Wild Card Round game against the Ravens certainly adds to that notion, but as they say, “luck is an attribute that the skilled possess.” Truth be told there was nothing lucky about what they did to the Bills last week. From start to finish Burrow was stellar as he went 9-for-9 on the night. This is all to say, that despite Kansas City’s clear pedigree and Cincinnati’s underdog status, Mahomes and Co. are facing a team that is not only unafraid of them, but has beaten them consistently to boot.

Can the Chiefs AFC history fire them to glory?

When you take a look at the Kansas City Chiefs, there is one particular tidbit of information that jumps out and that’s the fact that since Patrick Mahomes has become the team’s starting QB - 2018 - they have competed in the AFC Championship Game every single year. In those four years the Chiefs have got a 2-2 record and here now in 2023 one can imagine they will be looking to make it 3-2. That of course, will be a tough prospect and not just because of the opposition they face, or the head-to-head between them.

Indeed, the major concern going into Sunday’s big game will be Patrick Mahomes’ ankle. As mentioned above, the injury occurred during the Chiefs win over Jacksonville. What was not stated, however, is the fact that Mahomes actually had to leave the game for X-rays during the second quarter. Though the signal caller did return, it was evident that he was not doing OK. If the Chiefs are to avenge themselves against Cincinnati, it doesn’t need to be said that Mahomes has got to be on the field.

Bengals vs Chiefs: The Odds

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has said Mahomes will be ready to go on Sunday. With the star quarterback seemingly on the mend, the Chiefs are one-point favorites in the latest odds from Caesars Sportsbook. Over/under for total points scored is 47.5.