Bengals at Chiefs - Talking points

If you haven't already read that stat about Kansas City having won their last 18 games at home in December then you haven't been reading hard enough. Once winter comes to Missouri, the Chiefs are a terrifying prospect and they have been even more terrifying in the last few weeks with the arrival of Larry Johnson in the starting line-up.

The season could have been ruined when Priest Holmes went on injured reserve on 1 November with neck and back injuries but Johnson has run for 1,150 yards since then, a total that would look good for a whole season. Denver, one of the best run defenses this season, were shredded for 140 runs; Dallas for 143 despite a similarly strong reputation. Whatever happens this season, it will be looked back on as the one when the back surprisingly selected in the first round of the 2003 college draft stated his credentials.

Bengals fans have been pinching themselves all season as their team advanced towards the playoffs for the first time since 1990, when they lost Super Bowl XXIII to San Francisco. Coach Marvin Harrison has been able to turn one of the league's most moribund franchises around in just three seasons, with the help of Carson Palmer who, in his third season as a professional, is already being rated as one of the best five quarterbacks in the league. Having finished last year with an 8-8 record, they were handed what turned out to be the second-easiest schedule in the league this season, which has helped, but they put up a strong performance in a defeat to league-leading Indianapolis and split the season series with Pittsburgh, showing they could be a force through the postseason.

What the fans' blogs think

Home of the Chiefs has had a break during Christmas but was seriously smarting after back-to-back defeats away from home to the Cowboys and Giants.

Of course, there are still 2 games left in this Jekyll-and-Hyde season. But even if the Chiefs blow out both the Chargers and Bengals in convincing fashion, it would still be hard to take out the sting of the last two losses. How would anyone be able to believe the Chiefs could win a game on the road? How would anyone be able to believe the Chiefs could tackle strong and elusive playoff opponents?

Bengal Nation is unworried by the final regular season game but bothered about the implications of the seeding process, especially given last Sunday's defeat by Buffalo.

The Patriots are likely to win out, while the Chiefs game on Sunday is looking like a likely loss. That would drop the Bengals to the fourth seed in the AFC, leading to a second round rematch against the Colts. If Kelly Holcomb is able to pick on the Bengals D the way he did Saturday then I shudder to think of what Peyton Manning will do a second time facing Cincinnati.

The Eye of the Tiger doesn't do its match preview until Fridays but is in upbeat mood despite the upset loss to the Bills.

It will be interesting to see how the Bengals prepare for the Chiefs team this weekend. Do you rest Carson, Deltha or anyone else with a nagging injury? How important is it to win the last game? How bad would it be to lose the last two games of the playoffs? Interesting questions indeed, and the type that only teams whose spot in the playoffs is assured get to deal with. A good problem to have if you ask me.

NFLBriefing.com