Bengals @ Chiefs
Final Score: Chiefs 26, Bengals 25
Writer: Darian Hudock (@DarianQB_List)
Typically, when a team loses the turnover battle one to three, that team loses the game. However, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs were able to pull out a win at home in Week 2, not without some help from the Bengals. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was called for unsportsmanlike conduct late in the game, and Rashee Rice drew pass interference on the game’s final drive that ultimately led to the game-winning field goal. While the Chiefs may have taken home the bacon, the Bengals showed that their performance in week one is not indicative of this team’s future.
Two Up
- Rashee Rice – Looks like Mahomes’ new security blanket, led the team in targets.
- Mike Gesicki – Led the team with nine targets and came up big in some clutch situations.
Three Down
- Travis Kelce – Lowest fantasy output since 2018.
- Ja’Marr Chase – Only four catches for 35 yards, 13.8% target share.
- Isiah Pacheco – Left the game in a walking boot and crutches with what is being called an ankle injury.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Burrow: 23/36, 258 Yards, 2 TD, 6 Rushes, 9 Yards
Joe Burrow and the Bengals looked monumentally better than their performance in Week 1 against the Patriots. While the offensive line surrendered two sacks, Burrow relied on his tight end core of Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, and rookie Erick All Jr. to force a game-winning field goal only made possible by an ill-timed pass-interference penalty. The Bengals showed that the AFC should be on notice once this offense is at full strength.
Notes
- Showed good quick decision-making at times.
- Good passing over the middle of the field, especially to his tight end group.
Missed Opportunities
- Had a goal-to-go opportunity early in the game that only led to a field goal.
Running Back
Zack Moss: 12 Rushes, 34 Yards, 1 Target, 1 Reception, 13 Yards
Zack Moss once again dominated the majority of Cincinnati’s backfield snaps and was the only running back to receive a target. While he received a bulk of the share, his production was very limited, and he wasn’t able to break off any long runs. Kansas City’s defensive line was able to create havoc in the backfield, and Moss was never able to build up a head of steam. It may be difficult to put together days of solid production behind this offensive line.
Chase Brown: 4 Rushes, 31 Yards
While only receiving four carries, Brown did the most he could to prove to this coaching staff that he deserves more work going forward. Brown looks fast and explosive every time he touches the ball, but he doesn’t have the workload to be considered for a FLEX option just yet.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Ja’Marr Chase: 5 Targets, 4 Catches, 35 Yards
Whelp, here’s the second week where the number one thing fans will be talking about with Chase is an ill-timed penalty. When Burrow is actively holding you back from the officials to attempt to avoid a penalty, you should maybe go back and focus on winning the game. On the field, production was mediocre, with an underwhelming 13.8% target share to build on. However, better defensive matchups should be ahead, as he’s faced Christian Gonzalez and Trent McDuffie in the first two weeks.
Mike Gesicki: 9 Targets, 7 Catches, 91 Yards
Fantasy managers who were hoping for Gesicki to bring a receiving talent to the position the Bengals haven’t had since drafting Burrow are feeling great after today’s performance. Gesicki consistently cooked Chiefs defenders over the middle, racking up yards after the catch and looking dangerous in this offense. He made a clutch reception on 4th down that led to a Bengals’ touchdown.
Andre Iosivas: 4 Targets, 2 Catches, 7 Yards, 2 TD
Andre Iosivas caught both of Burrow’s touchdown passes but was ultimately quiet for the remainder of the game. Generally, Iosiavas looked like he was struggling to get open against Kansas City’s zone coverage. While the red zone targets are promising, you’d like to see more from the young wide receiver while Tee Higgins is out.
Erick All Jr.: 4 Targets, 4 Catches, 32 Yards
This was a big upgrade from week one for the 6′ 7″ rookie tight end. Like the rest of the tight end group for Cincinnati, All was able to work the middle of the field well and looked surprisingly quick for his size.
Jermaine Burton: 2 Targets, 1 Catch, 47 Yards
The first catch of Jermaine Burton’s career was a deep shot from Burrow that saw Burton wide open streaking down the sideline. Burton showed his ability to get open in space and can hopefully continue to build chemistry with his QB moving forward.
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes: 18/25, 151 Yards, 2 TD, 2 INT, 4 Rushes, 29 Yards
Once again, Mahomes led a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter that was ultimately tied together by a pass interference call that allowed the Chiefs to get within field goal range. A relatively quiet game for his standards, Mahomes did what his team needed to win the game late. This was the second-fewest passing yards in a game in Mahomes’ career, so his fantasy production hasn’t been what we’re accustomed to thus far in 2024. Better days are ahead.
Running Back
Isiah Pacheco: 18 Rushes, 90 Yards, 5 Targets, 5 Catches, 21 Yards
An unfortunate end to his day saw Pacheco lying on the sideline in pain before leaving the game for good. Before the injury, Pacheco was one of the main reasons KC was still in the game after turning the ball over three times. Pacheco’s injury situation will certainly be one to monitor as the week goes on.
Carson Steele: 7 Rushes, 24 Yards
Carson Steele was the primary beneficiary of Pacheco going down with an ankle injury. Steele shows a strong burst through the hole, but his day will be remembered for the fumble he lost in the first half. While he needs to improve his ball security, he looks to be more poised for work than Samaje Perine if Pacheco misses games.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Rashee Rice: 6 Targets, 5 Catches, 75 Yards, 1 TD
Rice is the new Kelce in this Kansas City offense, consistently working the middle of the field and underneath routes while Xavier Worthy clears the top out. With Mahomes only throwing the ball 25 times, look for Rice to maintain a terrific target share in this high-octane offense.
Notes
- He drew a key pass interference flag on the final drive to set up the game-winning FG
Travis Kelce: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 5 Yards
Is Kelce distracted by his celebrity lifestyle? Are the Chiefs simply saving him for the playoffs? Fantasy managers are full of questions after Kelce’s lowest fantasy output since 2018. He looks like a non-factor in this offense at this point. He needs more targets, but it is impossible to fully discredit him as a top fantasy tight end option.
Xavier Worthy: 4 Targets, 2 Catches, 17 Yards, 1 Rush, 5 Yards
Now, this seems like a more realistic game for the rookie Worthy after scoring twice on three touches in Week 1. It’s still nice to see Andy Reid scheming the ball into his hands, but with Mahomes and the Chiefs leaning more on the run game, Worthy’s best days will surely be ahead of him. This dude is FAST, consistently running right past the first tackler the defense throws at him.
Justin Watson: 2 Targets, 2 Catches, 21 Yards
Justin Watson has a firm grasp on the Chiefs’ WR3 role now that Hollywood Brown is expected to miss the entire regular season. However, that didn’t amount to much on Sunday, with Mahomes only needing to throw the ball 25 times. Watson shows a good connection with Mahomes and an ability to play the sacrificial X on plays Worthy runs underneath.