Chiefs’ scouting report: Bengals may be without top receiver for Sunday’s game
It’s still possible that we’ll get a third straight Chiefs-Bengals matchup at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in the AFC Championship Game, but there are long odds on that happening.
Both teams are coming off disappointing losses in Week 16 and haven’t clinched a playoff spot. The Bengals, 8-7, were whipped by the Steelers 34-11 on Saturday. The Chiefs, 9-6, looked out of sorts Monday in a 20-14 loss to the Raiders.
Cincinnati has a 27% chance of making the postseason, according to PlayoffStatus.com, while the Chiefs are still in the driver’s seat for the AFC West crown (92% likelihood). But there is now a 7% chance they miss the postseason entirely.
In the summer, this Chiefs-Bengals matchup looked like it could decide home-field advantage in the playoffs. Instead, it’s two teams struggling to find their footing as the year comes to a close.
Each week, I take a look at the Chiefs’ next opponent, and here is a quick scouting report of the Bengals. Kickoff is at 3:25 p.m. Sunday, and the game will air on KCTV (Ch. 5).
1. Ja’Marr Chase update
Star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase missed the Bengals game Saturday because of a sprained AC joint in his shoulder. He suffered the injury in Week 15 against the Vikings.
CBS Sports reported Chase “seems more likely to return Week 18 or even in the Wild Card round, assuming Cincinnati secures a playoff spot.”
In two regular-season games against KC, Chase had 363 receiving yards with three touchdowns.
Chase is the Bengals’ top receiver, but Tee Higgins had a big game against the Steelers. He had five receptions for 160 yards and an 80-yard touchdown reception.
2. Browning the starter
Quarterback Jake Browning had played well since Joe Burrow had season-ending wrist surgery last month. Cincinnati won three straight to start December before the loss to Pittsburgh.
Browning had 335 passing yards and a touchdown against the Steelers, but he also was intercepted three times, including a pick in the end zone.
In five starts, Browning has completed 73.7% of his passes for 1,515 yards with seven touchdowns and six interceptions.
3. Offensive-line struggles
One of the Bengals’ biggest offseason moves was signing left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. from the Chiefs to shore up the offensive line.
Cincinnati still struggles protecting the quarterback, having allowed the ninth-most sacks in the league (41).
The Bengals also have the league’s worst rushing attack, averaging 82.7 yards per game.
4. Defensive issues
The Bengals’ scoring defense is ranked 21st (23.0 points per game), but they’ve given up 5,751 yards, which is the second-most in the NFL (just ahead of Washington).
Opposing teams have run the ball effectively as the Bengals have the 26th-ranked rushing defense (127.3 yards per game).
The Bengals are allowing opponents to convert on third down 43.2% of the time, the fifth worst rate in the NFL.
5. Terrific Trey
Defensive end Trey Hendrickson has been sensational with 16 sacks, 16 tackles for loss and 22 quarterback hits this season. He’s also forced a pair of fumbles.
Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt has four interceptions, including a pick-six the season.
This story was originally published December 26, 2023 at 11:07 AM.
