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Bengals vs. Chiefs NFL Week 2 Picks: Fade the Public and Trust in Mahomes
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Eduardo Solano
- September 11, 2024
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NFL Pick: Chiefs -4.5 (-105) at Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
Two teams heading in opposite directions clash when the Cincinnati Bengals visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Let’s analyze the current NFL odds available at the top sportsbooks and go over all you need to know about this game.
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Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Sunday, September 15, 2024 – 04:25 PM ET at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
A Tale of Two Quarterbacks
Patrick Mahomes solidified his MVP frontrunner status with a 27-20 Thursday Night Football victory over the Ravens, while Joe Burrow struggled through one of the worst outings of his career in a disheartening 16-10 home loss to the underperforming Patriots on Sunday.
Mahomes showcased his typical brilliance, completing 20 of 28 passes for 291 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. In contrast, Burrow completed 21 of 29 passes for a mere 164 yards and failed to throw a touchdown, adding 15 yards on four rushing attempts.
The Bengals, once considered playoff contenders, now appear to be in serious trouble, while the Chiefs continue to look like a team destined for another Super Bowl run. The betting odds reflect this stark contrast in trajectory.
It’s hard to picture a worse beginning to the season for Cincinnati. Burrow’s early struggles, coupled with Ja’Marr Chase’s holdout and injuries to Tee Higgins and Burrow himself, have quickly derailed the Bengals’ hopes.
These two teams have produced some memorable clashes in recent years, with Burrow standing as the only active quarterback to have bested Mahomes in the playoffs. But those days seem distant, as the Chiefs are primed for a 2-0 start. The main question remains: can Kansas City cover the spread?
The Pick
Though the Bengals still boast Burrow and Chase, their offensive line is a glaring weakness, and their defense hasn’t been much better. Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ offense has reached new heights, arguably the best it’s been in three years.
In Thursday’s matchup, Kansas City’s offense averaged a league-leading 7.1 yards per pass play and tied for the most first downs via passing (15), all without wide receiver Marquise Brown.
“We’ll see how ‘Hollywood’ works out with all of his tests that he’s going to have this week, but we’ll just see where he’s at,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said about Brown’s status for Sunday.
Even with a lackluster Week 1, Kansas City’s offense remains a frightening prospect for the rest of the league. Despite Brown’s absence, their passing attack remained efficient, producing big plays when needed.
Rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy’s two touchdowns weren’t the only highlight of his contribution—his speed is already creating more opportunities for the Chiefs. When Brown returns, opposing defenses will face even greater challenges. Despite 91% of the current wagers backing the Bengals +4.5, +5.5, and +6, I’m favoring the Chiefs to win this game by at least a touchdown, even if Brown doesn’t suit up.
NFL Pick: Chiefs -4.5 (-105) at Bovada
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
