Bengals at Chiefs - What to look for

The sort of passion the Chiefs have shown at home over the last 18 late-season games could easily be on display, backed up by a screaming Arrowhead crowd, clad in bright red.

If Cincinnati want to, they could match KC's offensive firepower, and score at a higher rate, but two massive variables are how seriously they take the seeding issue, and how serious the groin strain Carson Palmer suffered last weekend is still bothering him.

If Palmer is well, look for the Bengals to got to the air early. If not, veteran John Kitna will come in after one or two offensive drives and the fireworks will swiftyl subside. Either way, look for the Chiefs to dominate time of possession through the running game and short passes, with the verdict reading something like 35-38 in favour of the Chiefs by the final whistle.
(Season so far 6-4)

NFLBriefing.com

Bengals at Chiefs - Stars and trivia

Chad Johnson #85, WR, Bengals
In his fifth season in the league, Johnson was last week named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad for the third time, only in part because he is third in the league with 1,377 receiving yards. Johnson is one of the biggest characters in the league and his touchdown celebrations have become legend. Two years ago he guaranteed victory over unbeaten Kansas City, and helped to deliver for the mediocre Bengals. In September he performed a Riverdance jig after scoring against the Bears. In November, he proposed to a cheerleader after getting through the Colts' defense and last weekend he pulled championship tee-shirts, caps and footballs out of a Santa bag and threw then into the crowd. Facing a defense that has struggled against the pass, Johnson could warm up for the playoffs in style.

Trent Green #10, QB, Chiefs
Despite the focus on their running game, KC are seventh in the league in terms of passing yards, and much of that is down to Green, a low-profile passer playing for his fourth team. Green's patient approach makes the most of a mediocre receiving corps. Eddir Kennison and tight end Tony Gonzalez are his two most dependable receivers, forcing defenses to stay balanced when they want to "cheat" up to stop Johnson and the running game.

Interesting trivia

Bengals trigger man Carson Palmer is the most accurate passer in the league this year, with 67.9% of his throws completed.

One of Kansas City's assistant coaches is Charlie Joiner, the Hall of Fame receiver who made his name with San Diego from 1976 to '86, after spending three years with the Bengals.

Despite the Chiefs' outstanding record at home in December, they don't look so good in January. In fact they have only played one home regular season game in the first month of the year, a 38-41 loss to the Oakland Raiders in 1999.

NFLBriefing.com

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

Bengals at Chiefs - Why it matters

Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs
Arrowhead Stadium
Sunday, 1 January
1300 EST on CBS/ 1800 GMT

On the final weekend of the regular season, just five games do not have implications for the playoffs, and two of those involve the top team in either conference. However, there is only one game where both teams involved could have everything to play for, which shows just how easy the NFL is to predict these days even for the league officials and TV executives who try to come up with season-ending cliff-hangers.

Kansas City looked to be dropping out of playoff contention with back-to-back defeats in mid-December, but they disposed of nearest rivals San Diego at home last weekend. Victory here may not be enough, though, as an AFC wildcard place will only be theirs if San Diego lose to Denver the previous evening and Pittsburgh lose to lowly Detroit.

After their upset defeat at home to Buffalo last Sunday, Cincinnati forfeited the number two seed in the AFC, and with it a bye through the wildcard playoff round to the Broncos. Neither subsequent option will appeal but fourth seed would require them to play a home wildcard game before visiting Indianapolis (to whom they lost a shootout in week 11) while number three would mean a visit to Denver if they get through the first round. The Bengals are likely to prefer the later and the result here decides it.

NFLBriefing.com

Seahawks 28-13 Colts - Verdict

After the death of Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy's son, any symbolic significance was taken from this game even before kickoff. The Seahawks wrapped up home field advantage through the NFC half of the playoffs while the Colts looked to get the game over as quickly as possible before heading to the funeral. Of vital importance for Indy, though, is that they now pick themselves up and rediscover their momentum going into the postseason.

Even without defensive stars Cato June and Bob Sanders, both at home with minor injuries, and with Dwight Freeney playing sparingly, the Colts should have been able to hold Shaun Alexander to less than his stellar 139 yards and three touchdowns. Even with Marvin Harrison rested and Peyton Manning only playing for the first two drives, they should have gained more than 41 yards from Edgerrin James.

If these sides face each other in the Super Bowl, the Seahawks will be without their inspirational crowd but carrying a strong psychological boost from this encounter. However, if the Colts get as far as the final game of the NFL season, they will be far better prepared to take Seattle on.

NFLBriefing.com