AFC title game injuries, players to watch | KCSN Daily 1.27
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The Chiefs will host the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium during the AFC Championship Game. It’s a battle between the AFC’s No. 1 seed and the AFC’s No. 3 seed for a chance to compete in Super Bowl LVII. Kickoff is set for Sunday, Jan. 29 at 5:30 p.m. CT. The game will be nationally televised on CBS stations with Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Tony Romo (analyst), Tracy Wolfson (reporter), Jay Feely (reporter) and Gene Steratore (rules analyst) on the call.
You can find tickets for the game down below:
Chiefs vs. Bengals AFC Championship Game preview:
KCSN’s Kent Swanson, Craig Stout, and Matt Lane preview the Kansas City Chiefs AFC Championship game rematch vs. the Cincinnati Bengals.
Be sure to pick up a paid subscription and check out a written version AFC title game preview from Kent, Matt and Craig.
Players to watch in AFC Championship Game:
LG Joe Thuney: Thuney missed Week 13 with an ankle injury and it made a tangible difference in the game. Not only did Orlando Brown Jr. struggle with pass protection, but the interior offensive line also struggled with D.J. Reader in the ground game and the passing game. Having Thuney back in the lineup this week should provide a big boost on the interior against Reader, but also will allow Brown Jr. to play at his best.
DT Chris Jones: With the Bengals missing starting RG Alex Cappa, the Chiefs need to capitalize and get Jones going in this game. He’s still chasing his first career playoff sack and he seems riled up by Mike Hilton’s “Burrowhead” comments regarding Arrowhead Stadium. He should have no shortage of motivation to make this a game to remember.
RB Isiah Pacheco: On Wednesday, Pacheco said he’d been waiting his whole life for this moment. Well, with Patrick Mahomes dealing with an ankle injury, he should have an opportunity to be a featured component of this game. Explosive plays and taking care of the ball in the running game could perhaps make the biggest impact in a winning game plan for Kansas City.
LB Nick Bolton: When the Chiefs faced the Bengals in Week 13, Joe Burrow cannibalized the middle of the field with passes to running backs, tight ends and receivers. They also bludgeoned Chiefs linebackers with Samaje Perine in the running game. Bolton’s the unquestioned leader of the middle of the defense and he needs to have one of his best games if they’re to avoid similar results.
Final Injury Report:
Chiefs:
DNP: WR Justin Watson (Illness).
LP: WR Mecole Hardman (Pelvis), WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Knee), and LB Nick Bolton (Ankle).
FP: TE Travis Kelce (Back), QB Patrick Mahomes (Ankle), LB Willie Gay Jr. (Toe), and RB Jerick McKinnon (Ankle).
Designations: WR Justin Watson (Questionable), WR Mecole Hardman (Questionable), and TE Travis Kelce (Questionable).
Bengals
DNP: G Alex Cappa (Ankle) and OT Jonah Williams (Knee).
LP: DT D.J. Reader (NIR - Rest).
FP: LB Joe Bachie (Foot), TE Hayden Hurst (Calf), C Ted Karras (Knee), CB Tre Flowers (Hamstring), and DE Sam Hubbard (NIR - Rest).
Designations: G Alex Cappa (Out) and OT Jonah Williams (Out).
Key:
DNP (Did Not Participate), LP (Limited Participant), FP (Full Participant), NIR (Not Injury Related).
Notes:
The Chiefs are not required to report the practice status of Clyde Edwards-Helaire or Jody Fortson until they’ve been activated to the 53-man roster.
21 Questions - Who will surprise in Chiefs vs. Bengals AFC Championship Game
KCSN’s BJ Kissel, Craig Stout, and Matt Lane answer questions from the subscribers of KC Sports Network. Want the chance to have your question featured on the show? Subscribe to KCSN Daily below for access to Discord.
(Photo via NFL)
Remember, vote for Kansas City Chiefs 2022 NFL Fan of the Year Nominee Dr. Amy Patel. You can vote multiple times until polls close on Wednesday, Feb. 9. Click the image above to listen to KCSN’s BJ Kissel exclusive interview with Dr. Patel.
KCSN Update:
KCSN’s BJ Kissel sits down with Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema to get his three key matchups from the Kansas City Chiefs AFC Championship game rematch with the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday.
Quotable:
“I haven’t touched him yet in the playoffs, but I appreciate the kind words. He’s tough to bring down. He’s quicker than he’s perceived. Agile – slithery at times – and hopefully we’re able to get our hands around him and get him down a couple of times, but he’s definitely a challenge to bring down.” - Chris Jones on sacking Bengals QB Joe Burrow
“Yeah, just understanding that for me, right now, the current goal is winning a Super Bowl. And that’s really just been my focus, and as far as all those other things, that will be taken care of by my agent and however things are worked out on the business side. So, I just try to focus on that goal and to me that’s what’s most important right now.” - Orlando Brown Jr. on his mindset heading into AFC title game.
Quick Hits:
From Las Vegas, Nevada: KCSN is at the East-West Shrine Bowl this week. Be sure to follow our social channels for updates from the college All-Star game.
From the practice field: NFL Network’s James Palmer again captured practice footage of Patrick Mahomes getting some throws in.
From the Up & Adams Show: Our fearless leader, BJ Kissel, appeared on Kay Adams’ show this morning to talk about Patrick Mahomes’ ankle and the matchup against the Bengals.
NFL championship round schedule:
Sunday, Jan. 29 at 3:00 p.m. ET - Eagles vs. 49ers - NFC Championship Game
Sunday, Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m. ET - Chiefs vs. Bengals - AFC Championship Game
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