The Cincinnati Bengals could make back-to-back Tremendous Bowl appearances for the primary time in franchise historical past if they’ll defeat the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs on Sunday within the AFC Championship Recreation. The sport is a rematch of final 12 months’s AFC title recreation, the place the Bengals have been capable of win 27-24 in additional time and attain the Tremendous Bowl for the primary time in 34 years. They fell 23-20 to the Los Angeles Rams and are nonetheless searching for their first Tremendous Bowl win in franchise historical past. The Chiefs final reached Tremendous Bowl 55 two seasons in the past, however misplaced 31-9 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kickoff is about for six:30 PM ET at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs are 1.5 level favorites within the newest Chiefs vs. Bengals from Caesars Sportsbook, and the over/beneath for complete factors scored is 47.5. Earlier than locking in any Bengals vs. Chiefs picks, make sure you try SportsLine Senior Analyst Larry Hartstein’s NFL predictions and betting suggestions.
A former lead author for Covers and The Linemakers, Hartstein combines an enormous community of Vegas sources with an analytical strategy he honed whereas working for Professional Soccer Focus. He entered the 2022 NFL season 427-344 all-time in NFL picks (plus $Three,764 for $100 gamers), together with 394-330 in opposition to the unfold. Hartstein went 68-50 ATS and Eight-Three in moneyline video games final season for $1,552.
What’s extra, Hartstein can be 29-16 in his final 45 counter-spread picks involving the Bengals or Chiefs, that means he is uniquely certified to make this decide. Anybody who adopted him persistently noticed large returns.
Now, Hartstein has zeroed in on Bengals vs. Chiefs within the 2023 AFC Championship Recreation from all angles and revealed his picks and predictions from NFL consultants. You may go to SportsLine now to see his picks. Listed below are some NFL odds and betting traces for Bengals vs Chiefs:
- Bengals level unfold vs. Chiefs: Chiefs -1.5
- Bengals vs. Chiefs over/beneath: 47.5 factors
- Bengals vs Chiefs cash line: Bengals +105, Chiefs -125
- CIN: The Bengals are 5-1-1 in opposition to the unfold of their final seven postseason video games
- KC: The house group is Four-1 ATS within the final 5 conferences on this rivalry
- Bengals vs. Picks Chiefs: See the picks right here
Really helpful recreation | Kansas Metropolis Chiefs vs Cincinnati Bengals
Why the Bengals can cowl
The Bengals entered the NFL playoffs as arguably the league’s hottest group and are headed to 10 straight AFC Championship Recreation winners. Their playoff type is paying homage to final 12 months’s Tremendous Bowl run, they usually have arguably their most full efficiency of the season. Amid heavy snow and a swirling Buffalo wind, the Bengals took the kickoff and quarterback Joe Burrow led a six-play, 79-yard drive that led to a 28-yard landing move to Ja’Marr Chase . After a defensive cease, they drove 72 yards in 10 performs, capped by a 15-yard landing move from Burrow to tight finish Hayden Hurst.
By the tip of the primary quarter, Cincinnati had crushed the spirit out of the boisterous Buffalo crowd and management of the sport with a 14-Zero lead. The Bengals by no means trailed, and the win marked their third straight highway playoff win prior to now two seasons. They will not be intimidated by the weather or the gang at Arrowhead Stadium, contemplating the Bengals received there in final 12 months’s AFC title recreation and have received three straight in opposition to the Chiefs. See which group to choose right here.
Why bosses can cowl
Because it has in current postseasons, Kansas Metropolis’s particular groups unit got here up massive when it mattered most. His efficiency was much more essential final week as a result of, with Mahomes out, the Chiefs applied a extra conservative recreation plan within the second half and relied on their kick specialists. Kicker Harrison Butker answered the decision, changing two discipline targets that have been each 50 yards lengthy. He grew to become the eighth kicker in NFL historical past to make two discipline targets of 50 yards or extra in a postseason recreation. The veteran additionally linked on all three of his makes an attempt from the purpose after.
Pitcher Tommy Townsend additionally delivered within the clutch. He was counted on to show over discipline place quite a few occasions within the second half because the Chiefs eschewed their penchant for going for it on fourth down and as a substitute took the cautious route. Townsend averaged 50.Eight yards on 4 punts and arrange two of them inside Jacksonville’s 20-yard line. The third-year professional additionally ran a 60-yard punt to vary discipline place within the third quarter. See which group to choose right here.
How you can make Bengals vs Chiefs picks
Now, Hartstein has damaged down the Bengals vs. Chiefs from all angles. We will let you know he leans Below the purpose complete, however his a lot stronger recreation is on the unfold. He discovered a vital X-factor that makes a part of the unfold necessary on Sunday. You may see his 2023 AFC Championship decide and evaluation solely at SportsLine.
So who wins Bengals vs Chiefs in AFC Championship Recreation 2023? And what vital X-factor makes a part of the unfold necessary? Go to SportsLine now to see which aspect of the Bengals vs Chiefs unfold it is best to leap on Sunday, all from the professional who’s 29-16 on unfold picks involving the Bengals or Chiefs and discover out.