Chiefs @ Bengals
Final Score: Bengals 34, Chiefs 31
Writer: Joe Orlofski (@joeorlofski on Twitter)
Well, this one was your definition of a shootout. Patrick Mahomes and company came out firing, but it was Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase who had the last laugh, beating the Chiefs (pretty much by themselves). Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce probably didn’t help you in fantasy, and you’ll see that below with barely any big plays from the star offensive players.
This game did have plenty of highlights, great catches, and touchdowns, so get ready for lots of videos and some big numbers. Some of these players may have won you or lost you your Championship, so let’s take a look at how it happened.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Burrow: 30/39, 446 yards, 4 TD | 5 carries, 10 yards
Joe Burrow absolutely torched the Kansas City defense, as you can see by his stats. Most of it came on long bomb passes to rookie Ja’Marr Chase, but you can’t deny how potent this offense can be when they are firing on all cylinders. Burrow threw four touchdowns, including this one:
LEVELS for @boutdat_23.
Watch on CBS | #BudLightCelly pic.twitter.com/Wrx76Mb1Go
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 2, 2022
Yes, it was a great catch by Tyler Boyd, but it was a great throw by Burrow to bring his team into the lead. The rest of his touchdowns can be seen below. Burrow was accurate in this game and shows that he isn’t afraid to throw deep (and who would be with Chase and Higgins catching passes).
It appears though Burrow will be a safe bet as a top Quarterback option going into next year.
Running Back
Joe Mixon: 12 carries, 46 yards | 8 targets, 7 receptions, 40 yards
Semaje Perine: 1 carry, 4 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 10 yards
Joe Mixon saved his day by catching seven passes since he was bottled up on the ground. That said, this game script was wildly pass-heavy so it’s really not anything he had control over. Mixon will be fine moving forward.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Ja’Marr Chase: 12 targets, 11 receptions, 266 yards, 3 TD
Tyler Boyd: 6 targets, 4 receptions, 36 yards, TD
C.J. Uzomah: 6 targets, 4 receptions, 32 yards
Tee Higgins: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 62 yards
Ja’Marr Chase won a lot of fantasy championships this week with an absolutely dominant performance. Chase not only dominated the Chiefs on short passes that he took for long distances, but he also was able to beat defenders deep over and over again. Let’s look at the highlights in this one.
.@Real10jayy__ is good at football.
Watch on CBS pic.twitter.com/HipRliysTp
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 2, 2022
As I mentioned, Chase has the ability at any time to take a short pass all the way. The next touchdown showed that he no longer has drop issues.
WHAT A HALF FOR @Real10jayy__!
Watch on CBS pic.twitter.com/Sag0Q8pVKz
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 2, 2022
This was an amazing grab in the endzone by the sensational rookie. He then started off the second half with another bomb touchdown.
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Watch on CBS pic.twitter.com/782L2cm6sa
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 2, 2022
This was a great throw by Burrow, finding the small gap in the defense. And Chase was not done quite yet.
266 yards on the DEY for Ja'Marr. That's a team record for receiving yards in a game.
Watch on CBS pic.twitter.com/s7clFfPQEY
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 2, 2022
Chase will easily be one of the top Wide Receivers off the board next season.
Tee Higgins mostly succumbed to the Chase effect in this game. He wasn’t really targeted, and the bulk of his yardage came on this 39-yard catch.
Throw it up to @teehiggins5!
Watch on CBS pic.twitter.com/xgDRt0YVky
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 2, 2022
Higgins is still a great Wide Receiver to roster and should have some solid value next season with everyone wanting Chase.
Tyler Boyd also had a decent game but saved his day with a touchdown. Boyd will have his big games but seems to be a bit more volatile than the other two receivers.
C.J. Uzomah had a solid PPR game, but just really isn’t worth rostering with so many other receiving options on the Bengals.
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes: 26/35, 259 yards, 2 TD | 2 carries, 25 yards
Patrick Mahomes was mistake-free and very efficient in this game but didn’t really have any big plays like the Bengals did. There really isn’t much to say here. Somehow opposing defenses have held star Wide Receiver Tyreek Hill quiet over the last few weeks, and that has hindered Mahomes’ stat lines at times. Mahomes is still a great Quarterback who hopefully bounces back next season for fantasy.
Running Back
Darrel Williams: 14 carries, 88 yards, 2 TD | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 19 yards
Derrick Gore: 3 carries, 37 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 8 yards
Darrel Williams had a great day against the Bengals’ defense, rushing for 6.3 yards-per-carry and scoring two touchdowns. Both scores did come from a few yards out, but he still is a great fantasy asset when Clyde Edwards-Helaire is out.
Bullied his way into the endzone 😤 @darrelwilliams_
📺: #KCvsCIN on CBS pic.twitter.com/0VvhDWhR2N
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 2, 2022
He was initially stuffed at the goal line but got some help from his offensive line. He later punched another one in, although this time he didn’t need the extra push.
Darrel back in the endzone‼️
📺: #KCvsCIN on CBS pic.twitter.com/7iPXKv1xOp
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 2, 2022
As long as CEH sits, Williams is a great Running Back to roster.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tyreek Hill: 10 targets, 6 receptions, 40 yards | 1 carry, 2 yards
Travis Kelce: 7 targets, 5 receptions, 25 yards, TD | 1 carry, -1 yard
Byron Pringle: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 35 yards
Demarcus Robinson: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 33 yards, TD
Blake Bell: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 35 yards | 1 carry, 2 yards
Mecole Hardman: 1 target, 1 reception, 53 yards
Josh Gordon: 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards
Tyreek Hill once again was shut down in this one. Now I think Hill still has a ton of great games ahead of him, but opposing defenses must be keying in on him after watching him run all over defenses in the last few years. Hill did have a few times where he was open, but it was usually when Mahomes was running for his life.
Hill should be fine in the long run, but these last few games have been worrying to say the least.
Demarcus Robinson did catch a nice touchdown pass early in the game.
MAHOMES DART TO D-ROB 🎯
📺: #KCvsCIN on CBS pic.twitter.com/ntKzDP4CfR
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 2, 2022
Robinson, as well as Mecole Hardman, were their typical selves. Both rely on deep passes and touchdowns, and you will normally be disappointed if they don’t get one of those. They are difficult to justify holding.
Travis Kelce was also very quiet in this one. He, as usual, is highly targeted near the endzone and helped his day with a short touchdown catch in the first half.
Travis Kelce aka Mr. Reliable 😏
📺: #KCvsCIN on CBS pic.twitter.com/J8Tujt6LXf
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 2, 2022
Kelce will continue to be a top Tight End option, but he did have a pretty quiet year in comparison to his previous ones.
Byron Pringle did take a punt to the house but it was called back due to a holding penalty. He has come on a bit stronger in recent weeks, but it’s a bit early to say that he is a dangerous fantasy option.
— Joe Orlofski (@joeorlofski on Twitter)