Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

8 minute read

Jan. 2, 2022

Dan Dobish
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) travel to meet the Cincinnati Bengals (9-6) at Paul Brown Stadium for a Week 17 AFC matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on CBS.

Score Prediction

Chiefs 34, Bengals 27

Best Bets

Chiefs -4 (-115) at DraftKings

Over 51 (-110) at BetMGM

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals Predictions

The Chiefs wrapped up the AFC West Division title, but they have their eyes focused on a larger prize. Kansas City is trying to wrap up the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC playoff picture, and the lone first-round bye out of seven spots. It will be a tall order facing the Cincinnati Bengals, who are still vying for the AFC North Division title and a potential playoff home game. The good news for the Chiefs is that they'll be at or near full strength after a bout with COVID-19. Star TE Travis Kelce was forced to miss last weekend's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, although the Chiefs coasted to a 36-10 win, which likely put a smile on the faces of the Bengals.

It wasn't all great for the Chiefs, as RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire suffered a shoulder injury against the Steelers, so Darrel Williams and Terrance Gore could be tasked with holding down the fort. CEH is considered week-to-week with the injury.

The Bengals registered a 41-21 victory at home against the Baltimore Ravens, sweeping both the Ravens and Steelers for the first time since 2009. QB Joe Burrow passed for 525 yards, with three receivers going for 85 or more yards. WR Tee Higgins led the way with 194 yards, while rookie Ja'Marr Chase ended up with 135 yards, and Tyler Boyd posted 85 yards. It was the second time this season the Ravens allowed 41 points to the Bengals. Burrow became the first-ever Bengals signal caller to reach the 500-yard plateau in a single game.

The Chiefs enter on an eight-game win streak, and they look to keep that streak alive in the 400th game as an NFL head coach by Andy Reid. The Chiefs are one game clear of the Tennessee Titans for the top overall seed in the AFC, and Kansas City controls its own fate in that department. It just has to keep winning. Cincinnati has won the past two games, but it hasn't had a win streak of more than two games at any point this season.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals Betting Odds

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Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals Betting Resources

• Matchup: AFC West vs. AFC North
• Date: Sunday, January 2, 2022
• Venue: Paul Brown Stadium
• Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
• TV-Time: CBS - 1:00 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report
• Super Bowl 56 Betting

Kansas City Chiefs Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 11-4
• ATS: 8-7
• O/U: 8-7
• ATS - Away: 4-2

The Chiefs are done with home games for the regular season, as they play in Cincinnati this week and in Denver in Week 18 to close out the season. It will likely be all hands on deck in each outing for the starters, so don't expect to see starters get a rest anytime soon. In fact, that's why they're keeping the foot on the gas, as the Chiefs can earn the first-round bye and two weeks to recharge the batteries before what it hopes is another deep postseason run.

The last time Kansas City suffered a loss was Week 7 at Tennessee, an ugly 27-3 setback. The Chiefs have rattled off eight straight victories since, while covering each of the past six outings. The offense has come alive in the past three games especially, going for 36, 34 and 48, and it's no surprise the OVER has cashed in each of the outings.

The Chiefs have covered six in a row, while going 6-0 ATS in the past six as a favorite, too. The Chiefs are also 4-0 ATS in the previous four games against teams with a winning overall record, while going 4-1 ATS in the past five games on the road. In addition, the Chiefs are 4-1 ATS in the past five as a road favorite, too. For the total, the OVER is 4-1 in the past five against AFC foes, while going 5-1 in the past six games in the month of January.

The last time these teams met was Oct. 21, 2018, a 45-10 victory by the Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium as 6.5-point favorites. The most previous meeting in the Queen City was Oct. 4, 2015, a 36-21 victory by the Chiefs, well before either Patrick Mahomes or Burrow were in the league. In fact, Cincinnati has won four of the past five meetings, with the Bengals holding a 3-2 SU edge. The UNDER is 4-1 in the past five meetings, for what it's worth.

Cincinnati Bengals Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 9-6
• ATS: 8-7
• O/U: 7-8
• ATS - Home: 3-5

Believe it or not, the Bengals are searching for their first win streak of at least games since opening the 2015-16 regular season with eight consecutive victories from Sept. 13 to Nov. 5, 2015. One of the eight victims in that win streak was the Chiefs, in the most recent game in the 'Nati, oddly enough.

The Bengals are 4-1 ATS in the past five games against teams with a winning record, while going 4-1 ATS in the past five against AFC teams, too. However, the Bengals are just 2-5 ATS in the past seven at home, while going a dismal 2-7 ATS in the past nine at home against teams with a winning road record. Cincinnati is also 4-9 ATS in the past 13 games following a straight-up win.

On totals, Cincinnati has cashed the OVER in four of the past five games at Paul Brown Stadium, while going 6-2 in the previous eight against AFC teams. However, the UNDER is 5-1 i the past six as an underdog, while going 5-2 in the past seven as a home 'dog.

Clyde-Edwards Helaire is doubtful to play due to a shoulder injury suffered in Week 16. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Kansas City Chiefs

• Record: 11-4
• Division Standing: 4-1
• Points Scored: 421
• Points Allowed: 306
• PS/G: 28.1
• PA/G: 20.4

Inside the Stats - Cincinnati Bengals

• Record: 9-6
• Division Standing: 4-1
• Points Scored: 410
• Points Allowed: 324
• PS/G: 27.3
• PA/G: 21.6

Key Players to Watch

• KNC: Tyreek Hill - WR (104 catches, 1,197 yards, 9 TD)
• KNC: Patrick Mahomes - QB (383/579, 4,310 yards, 33 TD, 13 INT)
• CIN: Joe Burrow - QB (336/481, 4,165 yards, 30 TD, 14 INT)
• CIN: Joe Mixon - RB (280 rushes, 1,159 yards, 13 TD)

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals Betting Conclusion

The Chiefs invade the Queen City with the longest active win streak in the NFL, and they're looking to keep winning to secure the No. 1 overall seed and a first-round bye. That doesn't bode well for the Bengals. Edwards-Helaire might be out for the Chiefs, but Kansas City wasn't likely going to try to run a lot anyway against a Bengals team which ranks fourth in the NFL with just 92.1 yards per game allowed on the ground. The Achilles' heel of this Cincinnati team is its inability to stop the pass, as it allows 252.8 yards per game through the air, just 29th in the NFL. That is bad news against a Kansas City Chiefs pass attack which will be whole with Kelce back in the mix.

This is going to be an offensive show between Burrow and Mahomes, and it could be a possible AFC playoff preview, too. Kansas City is cooking along right now, playing its best football of the season, while Cincinnati hasn't won at least three games in a row in several years. The Bengals have been an outstanding story, as it's been quite a while since they have played meaningful games into January. But if they're going to clinch the AFC North Division title, it will have to come in Cleveland next Sunday. The Chiefs are going to get it done in this one in a shootout.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals Betting Trends

• The Chiefs are 6-0 ATS across the past six games.
• The Chiefs are 6-0 ATS in the past six as a favorite.
• The Chiefs are 4-0 ATS in the past four vs. winning teams.
• The Chiefs are 4-1 ATS in the past five road games.
• The Bengals are 2-5 ATS in the past seven home games.
• The Bengals are 1-7-1 ATS in the past nine games in January.
• The Bengals are 4-1 ATS in the past five vs. winning teams.
• The OVER is 4-1 in the past five vs. AFC for the Chiefs.
• The OVER is 4-1 in the past four home games for the Bengals.
• The OVER is 6-2 in the past eight vs. AFC for the Bengals.

Where to place a bet this NFL Season?

• Use our exclusive BetMGM Bonus Code VIBONUS1500 to unlock BetMGM’s welcome offer for new sportsbook users!
• Compare the latest NFL Odds from the best sportsbooks before placing a bet on this week's games.
• Check out the North Carolina Sportsbooks just before they launch legal online sports betting.

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