Bengals-Chiefs Game Preview

Good Morning Chiefs Kingdom,

It’s Bengals week, and as much as we all dislike Ja’Marr Chase, his comments about this rivalry were spot on, “We don't like them... They don't like us.”

He’s right about that!

But then Chase put his foot in his mouth as usual when he said, “We are the team to beat in the AFC … We’ve gotta act like it, and we’ve gotta play like it too.”

Does he know the Chiefs are back-to-back Super Bowl champions?

Trent McDuffie and company might have to remind him on Sunday. This game is going to be a fun one!

Today we bring you a game preview, press conference recap, the Week 2 schedule, NFL headlines, and more.

Go Chiefs!

— Luke Gromer

Chiefs News

Week 2: CIN @ KC

• 🏈 Who: Bengals @ Chiefs

• 📆 When: Sunday, 3:25 pm CT

• 📍 Where: Arrowhead Stadium

• 📺 Watch: CBS

  • 🎙 On the Call: Jim Nantz & Tony Romo

• 🎧 Listen: 96.5 FM The Fan in the KC area

  • 🎙 On the Call: Mitch Holthus & Danan Hughes

• 📕 Line: KC -5.5

• 🎟 Tickets: Buy tickets here (starting at $150)

• ⚕️ KC Injuries:

  • 🩹 WR Hollywood Brown did not practice Thursday

    • His status for the game is uncertain

#1: The Worthy Impact

Xavier Worthy scored two TDs on three touches in Week 1. What was less obvious however was the impact his speed had on the defense even when he didn’t get the ball.

According to Worthy, his teammates, and coaches, the Ravens played coverages that respected Worthy’s speed, which opened up space in the middle of the field for other receivers.

And to add fuel to Worthy’s fire, Bengals CB Cam Taylor-Britt essentially said Xavier Worthy is just a fast guy who can run straight. Expect Coach Reid to have some plays dialed up for Worthy in this one.

Can the Chiefs get the ball into Worthy’s hands and force the Bengals to adjust to his speed?

#2: A Bolton Bounce Back

Nick Bolton struggled in coverage in Week 1 against the Ravens. He was burned for a long TD and was beaten several other times in coverage.

Bolton is a key leader on the defense, serving as the QB of the unit as he handles all the play calls, but he still needs to be better in coverage.

Can Bolton bounce back in coverage this week or will the Bengals pick on him?

#3: McDuffie on Chase

Bengals star WR Ja’Marr Chase held out for most of training camp but played in Week 1. Despite the limited preparation, Chase still led the team in receptions and yards last week, and with WR Tee Higgins likely out this week, Chase will be Burrow’s go-to target.

Trent McDuffie and the secondary will have their hands full this week with the talented WR, but McDuffie is an all-pro for a reason and the secondary looked solid last week.

Can McDuffie and the secondary lock down Ja’Marr Chase and throw a wrench in the Bengals’ offense?

Dave Toub

• On kicking touchbacks: “We weren’t really trying to kick touchbacks. We were trying to put it in the end zone. They have a decision on whether or not to bring it out… You’ve got to look at the risk-reward as far as what you want to do there.”

• The ideal kickoff: “Ideally, it lands on the 5 and skips into the end zone and they don’t field it and they get it at the 20.”

• On the touchback spot: “Yeah five more yards [out to the 35] will force a lot more kicks into the landing zone.”

• On P Matt Araiza: “The good thing was the third punt was the best punt… Overall, I was pleased with his performance last week.”

Steve Spagnuolo

• On the good and bad from Week 1: “We played the RB run plays fairly well. The QB was another issue. We made some really good plays… But at the end of the day, our #1 goal is points allowed. We shot for 17 and gave up 20.”

• On players that didn’t practice during camp: “The concern was that because we hadn’t had enough reps together, we wouldn’t gel together… I think if you asked those guys, they were just kind of gutting it out at the end.”

• On FAU: Spagnuolo noted that he showed the team a play where FAU made a key tackle on a rocket screen that he was particularly proud of.

• On Joe Burrow: “I’m not buying [that he isn’t healthy]… It’s always been a tough out for us… We’ve got to be on point. We certainly have to be better as a defense this week than we were last week… He’s a lot better at avoiding the rush than people give him credit for… The containment of the QB on passes is really, really important.”

Matt Nagy

• On Week 1: “I think for the first game, I felt pretty good for the guys.”

• On Rashee Rice: “Rashee is doing a great job catching the ball and getting vertical.”

• On Xavier Worthy: “He’s a playmaker with the ball in his hands… It’s important to get him going.”

• On Noah Gray: Nagy praised Gray for his catching and blocking ability, and he noted that he and Mahomes trust him to do whatever is needed.

• On Kingsley Suamataia: Nagy noted that they were pleased with his Week 1 performance overall.

Chris Jones

• On the Bengals: “It’s all a battle when we face those guys.”

• On Joe Burrow: “Great QB, can make all the throws.”

• On getting double and triple-teamed: “George got to get more sacks if that’s the case.”

• Keeping Joe Burrow in the pocket: “He can run the ball exceptionally well… Joe Burrow… is an effective runner when he has the space. We definitely have to be cognizant of our rushing lanes.”

• On Leo Chenal as a pass rusher: “He’s been very effective for us.” Jones praised Chenal’s versatility for the defense.

View all press conferences in their entirety here

KC Football Fix

The Fan Club

Around the NFL

The Latest

Result: BUF 31, MIA 10

• Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion, the third of his career and many are speculating it could force an early retirement

• Bills RB James Cook scored 3 TDs in the first half

Source: ESPN

• Bengals WR Tee Higgins did not practice yesterday and is trending towards being out for the game against the Chiefs this weekend

• Jaguars CB Tyson Campbell was placed on IR with a hamstring injury and will miss 4 games

• The woman suing Deshaun Watson will meet with the NFL and claims to have video and additional witnesses

• The Jaguars stadium will be called TrEverBank Stadium for their home opener due to QB Trevor Lawrence’s collaboration with the bank

• NFL Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt passed away yesterday at the age of 92

• The Jets are re-signing C Connor McGovern as he returns from an MCL injury

Chiefs Tickets*

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See prices for the Chiefs home games below! Prices are subject to change.

Chiefs, NFL, and More

Worth the Click

• 📺 Nick Wright says Sunday’s game against the Bengals is not a must-win for the Chiefs

• 🏈 Grab some new Chiefs gear from Rally House*

• 🎟 Grab your Chiefs tickets before prices go up*

• 👍 WR Xavier Worthy made history with his performance in Week 1

• 🤔 This defensive stat from Week 1 might be the reason passing numbers were down

• 🎤 Listen to the latest episode of the New Heights Podcast (or watch a clip of Jason and Travis reacting to the Week 1 win)

• 📸 Take a look at pictures from practice this week

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