Three keys to the game for the Chiefs against the Bengals in week two

While the rivalry surely remains, the optics are not the same this go-around. Cincinnati took a major upset in week one, while the Chiefs showed out. Here's three keys to KC keeping them down.

Heading into week two against the Kansas City Chiefs' biggest current rival, the Cincinnati Bengals, times are a little weird. Even though Patrick Mahomes is 1-3 against Joe Burrow, the Chiefs are one of the heaviest favorites in the NFL this weekend. 

Even without Burrow in week 17 in 2023 Kansas City found themselves trailing heading into the fourth quarter before three Harrison Butker field goals gave them an eight-point victory that kicked off a six-game win streak en route to the Super Bowl. Between Burrow’s seemingly lingering wrist injury, Ja’Marr Chase’s contract situation and Tee Higgins’ hamstring injury, to go along with him playing under the franchise tag, it has the Bengals in disarray, however. 

Cincinnati was the largest favorite in week one, over the New England Patriots and wound up taking the loss. In head Zach Taylor’s six years at the helm, he has a combined record of 1-10 in weeks one and two, which also bodes well for Kansas City. 

After taking the most embarrassing loss in the NFL in week one, in combination with the disdain the two teams have for each other, the Bengals will be motivated no matter what the odds are in Vegas. With that said, no part of the game against the Patriots showed something they could hang their hat on. 

Burrow threw for 154 yards and no touchdowns on 29 attempts, they ran for 70 yards on the ground, they could only muster 10 points against a team that many assume will have the first overall pick in next year's draft and allowed the Patriots to rush for a buck-70 on them. That last part is what leads me to my first key for the Chiefs.