Chiefs open as favorites vs. Bengals in AFC championship recreation

The Kansas City Chiefs misplaced simply thrice this season. A type of losses got here to the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Bengals have been one of many few groups in recent times to have the Chiefs’ quantity, together with Cincinnati profitable the AFC championship recreation at Kansas Metropolis final season. The 2 groups will meet once more within the AFC championship recreation after the Bengals knocked off the Buffalo Bills in an AFC divisional playoff recreation Sunday. The Chiefs, who had been taking a look at a neutral-site AFC championship recreation if the Payments had received, are a 1.5-point dwelling favourite at BetMGM.

The Chiefs received however did not cowl within the divisional spherical in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars. They received 27-20 as a 9.5-point favourite. That is nothing uncommon for the Chiefs; they had been the No. 1 seed within the AFC however simply 5-11-1 in opposition to the unfold, one in every of the worst records against the spread in the NFL.

The Bengals had been 12-3-1 in opposition to the unfold within the common season, the second-best ATS file within the NFL. They did not cowl the unfold within the wild-card spherical in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens, however they received after which simply lined as a six-point underdog within the win over the Payments.

One of many massive storylines for the AFC championship recreation shall be Patrick Mahomes‘ well being. He suffered a sprained proper ankle and performed via the ache within the second half on Saturday. Reviews have mentioned it is a excessive ankle sprain, which is commonly an damage that may linger for a couple of weeks.

The Bengals’ historical past in opposition to the Chiefs and Mahomes’ damage standing provides intrigue to an amazing AFC championship recreation. Regardless of these elements, oddsmakers nonetheless choose the Chiefs, a minimum of within the opening line. Simply not by loads.