"Cincy" provokes their Rival: "They're aware of our disdain towards them"
KC vs. Cincy: Two Epic AFC Showdowns in Recent Memory. Ja'Marr Chase's Excitement Fuels "Cincy" Watch Party.
This trivia question could test the mettle of even the most devoted NFL aficionados. And it's likely to baffle many, even those who track the National Football League with fervor equal to millions of American kids following Santa's journey on Christmas Eve.
What's Joe Burrow's win-loss record in his first two games as Bengals QB? I hear you ask. The answer? A rather disappointing 1-8. Yes, you've got it correct. The 27-year-old Joe Lee Burrow, one of the league's most gifted and swaggersome quarterbacks, has managed a meager single victory in those opening and second-week games of his NFL career - and that was on September 12, 2021, at home against the Minnesota Vikings, in overtime, by a score of 27-24.
Chiefs Picking Up Where They Left Off, Bengals Stumble
Now, bet your last dollar that this winless streak will stretch to 1-9 by the end of this match against the Chiefs? It's a risky call, given the opposition. The Chiefs, they stormed into 2023 with a victory, mirroring their Super Bowl-winning form of the previous season when they defeated the Baltimore Ravens 27-20.
Meanwhile, the Bengals floundered at home. They went down 10-16 to the New England Patriots – a team that boasts almost a complete overhaul this season, aside from the ever-reliable Robert Kraft. The local media expect the Patriots to win only six games this year, and with their lukewarm ambitions, they match the drive of a weary bureaucrat as they count down the hours to the end of their shifts on a Friday.
Burrow's Back – But Can the Bengals Rise?
Yet, even this sorry Patriots team was too much for Cincinnati last week. Or rather, the Bengals themselves were underwhelming. After recovering from his prematurely ending season in mid-November due to a hand injury, Burrow was back between the lines. The Bengals, buoyed by this return, managed only a disastrous first half, and a barely better second half.
Perhaps it was the lengthy negotiations surrounding Ja'Marr Chase's contract that weighed heavily on them? A potential distraction? The star wide receiver had hoped to secure a long-term deal in Cincinnati, like other 2021 draftees such as Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions, four years, $120 million), Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins, three years, $84.75 million), Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars, five years, $275 million), and DeVonta Smith (Eagles, three years, $75 million), did with their respective clubs.
Chase's Provocative Statement
And according to Chase, the Bengals had signaled in the summer that they would offer him a deal. But then, silence. Apparently, the 24-year-old even threatened to sit out the first two games of the season, but he did show up against the Patriots and will also be playing in Kansas City. But the contract complications aren't over. Because Chase made it clear that he won't discuss a long-term contract during the season.
Instead, he had some stern words for Kansas City. The Bengals, he claimed, are the team to beat in the AFC. Everyone knows it. And they need to act accordingly.
Bengals' Promising Streak – But No Titles Yet
Despite this, Cincinnati has claimed victory in two of the four games since 2021. The most notable of these victories was the 27-24 overtime win in the AFC Championship Game in Kansas City on January 30, 2022. For the first time since 1989, the Bengals were in the Super Bowl. But they went home with a silver medal, having lost to the Los Angeles Rams 20-23. And exactly one year later, their Super Bowl dreams were dashed again, this time in the semifinals against the Chiefs – 20-23.
Formatted Text:
Heads Up: Since their Super Bowl loss in 2022, the Cincinnati Bengals have enjoyed no small amount of joy and frustration. On the other hand, the Kansas City Chiefs, who secured the title in 2020, have only added to their wins.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, the charismatic Joe Burrow, and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase have been unable to replicate the consistency and resilience displayed by Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, and Travis Kelce, who have proven time and again that they can rally to win when they must.
The excitement surrounding a potential rematch of their AFC Championship game in January 2022 is palpable. Hosted at their home stadium, the Paycor Stadium, fans can attend a watch party for $99. Admission offers live music, a chance to meet NFL legends, and even the opportunity to step onto the field. But let's be clear – this isn't a traditional rematch.
Chase's Contract Complicates Matters
The idea that the extended negotiations surrounding Ja'Marr Chase's contract may have affected the team's performance is an intriguing one. Certainly, there's no denying that the Bengals had a disastrous first half against the Patriots in week 1. Jake Brown, who stepped in for Chase due to his contract standoff, struggled. Yet, despite Chase's return for the Kansas City game, the Bengals chalked up another defeat.
Some have suggested that Chase may not be motivated to perform at his best, due to the ongoing contract discussions. But others laud Chase's approach, arguing that he's letting his play do the talking. However, this saga continues, with Chase refusing to entertain any long-term contract discussions during the current season.
Bengals' Steady Improvement – But No Championship Rings
Since their 2021 AFC Championship success, the Bengals have won ten of their last twenty games. However, they've fallen short in the playoffs on both occasions, including a painful 23-20 defeat to the Chiefs in the semi-finals of the 2023 Super Bowl.
Word Cloud:
Bengals, Kansas City, Chiefs, Burrow, Chase, contract, negotiations, January, Super Bowl, rematch, Legends, disagree, watch party, overtime, $99.
In Kansas City, they disregard all that. Here, victory celebrations are held instead of commemorations of an AFC Championship Game triumph. Mahomes has the opportunity to write NFL history today. He's set to play his 98th NFL game, just two days before his 29th birthday. If he successfully completes five passes to his teammate, Mahomes will overtake Matthew Stafford as the professional with the most passes, achieving this milestone two games before the 100-game mark used for this particular record.
Bengals at Risk of Another 0-2 Season Opening
If he emerges victorious, he'll secure 76 wins, equaling the record held by Tom Brady and Roger Staubach for the most wins by a starting quarterback in their first 100 games. Mahomes will then have the chance to break the record against the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Chargers.
As Mahomes inches closer to more NFL record-breaking feats, the Bengals find themselves in jeopardy of a fifth consecutive 0-2 season opening within the past six years. This stark contrast in fortunes adds tension. Chase underlines the high spirits on both sides, but also emphasizes the animosity between the two teams. After all, going head-to-head in significant playoff games can spawn a rivalry. Ja'Marr Chase encapsulates the sentiments on both sides: "I think they know we're not fond of them - and they feel the same way. There's really not much more to say. Everyone knows."
The Bengals, despite the heightened tension with the Chiefs, are aiming to improve upon their disappointing 1-8 win-loss record in Joe Burrow's first two games as their quarterback. Ja'Marr Chase, the Bengals' star wide receiver, remains unfazed by his ongoing contract negotiations and is confident in his team's ability to emerge victorious in the AFC, even labeling them the team to beat.
