The Kansas City Chiefs haven't won in Cincinnati since 1984 but barely edge the Bengals in the all-time series 13-12. The Chiefs have had a few memorable games against the Bengals in recent years including:
- Bengals ending the Chiefs nine game winning streak to start the 2003 season.
- Chiefs stomp the Bengals 37-3 in Dick Vermeil's final game on 1/1/06.
- Bengals beat the Chiefs in the 2006 home opener. Trent Green was knocked unconscious during the game.
- In October 2007, Tony Gonzalez set the touchdown record for tight ends in a 27-20 victory.
- Bengals beat Chiefs 16-6 in final game of 2008 season.
For the Chiefs, it's pretty simple on the surface. Stop the run.
The Chiefs pass defense has produced it's best two-week effort since 1998 but that's partially because the run defense has been so miserable the last several weeks.
The Bengals strengths play right into the Chiefs preferred gameplan. The faster linebackers can contain Jamaal Charles. Cedric Benson and Co. are 6th in rushing, while the Chiefs rush defense is 31st.
Only four other defenses have had less passes attempted against them but the Chiefs are still 19th in passing yards given up. So, I expect the Bengals to be able to run the ball effectively against the Chiefs, which is similar to last season's finale when Cedric Benson was beginning to come on pretty well and put 111 yards.
Basically, the stats say the Chiefs should lose this game but stats haven't really mattered in this series. The Bengals won 11 games in the 2005 season yet still got smashed by the playoff-less Chiefs in the season finale. The Chiefs were also favorites riding a nine game winning streak in 2003 when the Bengals came out on top.