Chiefs @ Bengals
Final Score: Bengals 27, Chiefs 24
Writer: Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)
After losing twice to the Bengals last season, the Chiefs attempt at vengeance fell just a hair short in this matchup between two powerful offenses. Oddly enough, the game came down to a big defensive stop by the Bengals defense which set up their offense to take a late lead. The Chiefs are never to be slept on, as they fought back to get within field goal range, but failed to send the game to overtime in what was an extremely entertaining matchup to watch from start to finish.
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes: 16/27, 223 Yards, TD | 2 Carries, 9 Yards, TD
It was not the traditional game we expect from Patrick Mahomes but he still managed to score twice, and was close to a third score as they played from behind in the fourth quarter. The lack of a consistent running game shows from time to time, as pass-blocking assignments are picked up late or poorly. Overall, Mahomes still has the potential to work his magic every single snap. His receivers did him zero favors in this matchup with several drops and a turnover slamming the door shut on any potential for a good fantasy scoring day. In the end you probably don’t want your superstar quarterback doing stuff like this, no matter how cool it looks:
AIR MAHOMES.#KCvsCIN | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/Swjr8iLi3j
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 4, 2022
Running Back
Isiah Pacheco: 14 Carries, 66 Yards, TD | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 16 Yards
Jerick McKinnon: 8 Carries, 51 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 9 Yards, TD
This backfield seems to be in a 65/35 split between Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon, with Pacheco doing more of his damage on the ground while McKinnon takes more of the passing downs. Both backs were able to move the ball, but neither ever really broke loose as the longest rush on the day went for 16 yards. McKinnon was more effective on fewer touches, although both backs were able to score. McKinnon found paydirt through the air on a short two-yard pass from Mahomes, while Pacheco found the endzone from eight yards out in the third quarter:
POP OFF @isiah_pachecoRB#KCvsCIN | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/xg4AuaMAfm
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 4, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Marquez Valdes-Scantling: 6 Targets, 2 Receptions, 71 Yards
Travis Kelce: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 56 Yards, 1 Fumble (Lost)
JuJu Smith-Schuster: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 35 Yards
Justin Watson: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 15 Yards
Noah Gray: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 15 Yards
Skyy Moore: 1 Carry, 12 Yards
Jody Fortson: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 6 Yards
Marquez Valdes-Scantling tied the team lead for targets at six, but only hauled in two of them for 71 yards, living up to his boom-or-bust stereotype. He could’ve had a much better day if he could hang onto the ball. JuJu Smith-Schuster got off to a hot start before tapering off as the game went on, finishing the game with three catches for a meager 35 yards. You’d like to maybe see some of the MVS targets go to JuJu. The rest of the group, including Justin Watson, Noah Gray, Skyy Moore, and Jody Fortson all pitched in a single touch for a handful of yards each but were otherwise irrelevant. Skyy Moore’s touch came on an end-around that went nowhere. The tight end GOAT Travis Kelce was the unfortunate victim of a fumble that theoretically cost the Chiefs the game in the fourth quarter. Without that fumble, this is probably a much different end result.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Burrow: 25/31, 286 Yards, 2 TD | 11 Carries, 46 Yards, TD
If you wanted to consider this game a duel between Mahomes and Joe Burrow, Burrow won on paper even though both quarterbacks fought valiantly. The difference between the two were the receivers, as Burrow’s pass-catchers helped him out all game. Burrow looked confident in the pocket as he picked apart the Chiefs’ defense all night. His decision-making was excellent as evident by the 80% completion. Burrow’s day could’ve been even better were it not for a couple of rough drops. Not only did Joey B throw for nearly 300 yards with two scores, but he also put up another 46 yards for another score on the ground. You can’t really ask for more out of your quarterback than 330 scrimmage yards and 3 scores.
Burrow doing it all today. @JoeyB
📺: #KCvsCIN on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/KRUwj1CkWe pic.twitter.com/fYdkv7l2YP— NFL (@NFL) December 4, 2022
Running Back
Samaje Perine: 21 Carries, 106 Yards | 7 Targets, 6 Receptions, 49 Yards
Chris Evans: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards, TD
Trayveon Williams: 1 Carry, 3 Yards
With Joe Mixon on the mend, the backfield was handed to Samaje Perine, and he delivered with 28 total touches for over 150 scrimmage yards. At over 100 yards with a long of only 10, Perine was key to keeping the chains moving with his 5 yards per carry. The Chiefs simply could not bring Perine down. Perine isn’t fast enough to turn those missed tackles into a bunch of YAC, but he’s powerful enough to run through you for a first down. Add on securing six of seven targets, it was an overall gem of a day for Perine. Chris Evans did all of his damage on a single play when it mattered most as he brought in a short pass for a score in the fourth quarter:
Evans puts us back in the lead 👏 #KCvsCIN | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/O0N6L53kdE
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 4, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Ja’Marr Chase: 8 Targets, 7 Receptions, 97 Yards
Tyler Boyd: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 60 Yards
Tee Higgins: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 35 Yards, TD
Mitchell Wilcox: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 13 Yards
Trenton Irwin: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 12 Yards
Hayden Hurst: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 12 Yards
Trent Taylor: 1 Carry, -3 Yards
Tyler Boyd brought in four of five targets for 60 yards, with his lone drop being a no-doubter of a touchdown that simply went through his hands and hit him in the facemask. Tee Higgins brought in a score as the first half came to a closed where he overpowered a couple of Chiefs defenders to make his way into the endzone. Mitchell Wilcox, Trenton Irwin, Trent Taylor, and Hayden Hurst all had very quiet days but contributed to the victory. The return everyone has been waiting for was Ja’Marr Chase, and although he might not have found the endzone, he was still a major problem for the Chiefs defense. Chase wasn’t in his best form coming back from injury but still managed to terrorize the Chiefs defense for 97 yards on seven receptions.
Ja'Marr is back like he never left. @Real10jayy__
📺: #KCvsCIN on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/KRUwj1CkWe pic.twitter.com/Hjx3NDP6hT— NFL (@NFL) December 4, 2022
As always, thanks for reading! See you next week.