The best NFL gambling sites favor the Kansas City Chiefs (15-3 SU, 7-11 ATS) over the Cincinnati Bengals (14-4, 13-5). The two will meet each other for a second time this season on Sunday in a rematch from last year’s AFC championship game with a spot in Super Bowl 57 in Arizona at stake.
The No. 3-seeded Bengals are fresh off a stunning 27 points to 10 points upset win over the No. 2-seeded Buffalo Bills last Sunday as a 5.5-point road dog at the best online sportsbooks. That was their 10th consecutive win in a row.
A day prior to that, the top-seeded Chiefs held off the fourth-seeded Jacksonville Jaguars 27 points to 20 points but they did not cover the best NFL gambling sites spread as 9.5-point home faves. NFL MVP hopeful Pat Mahomes suffered a high-ankle sprain.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs Odds by BetOnline
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengals | -1½ (-110) | 46½ (-110) | -125 |  |
| Chiefs | +1½ (-110) | 46½ (-110) | +105 | |
| ||||
Betting Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati has gone 3-0 both SU and ATS against the spread versus Kansas City with QB Joe Burrow manning the controls. Mahomes has yet to best him in three head-to-head encounters. That is including a 27 points to 24 points win for the Bengals against the Chiefs as 2.5-point home dogs in Week 13.
As a matter of fact, that was the same exact winning margin from last year’s AFC championship win for Cinci at Kansas City. Each of the past three games in this series has come down to three points. The Bengals dominated the Bills, so much so that this has turned into a dead-even game in the eyes of the best NFL gambling sites, partly as a result of the status of Mahomes. He is expected to play but he will not be at 100 percent. Last year, Cincinnati managed the upset as a seven-point road underdog to make it to the Super Bowl.
Joe Burrow will be the biggest key to the victory for Cincinnati based on how he has been performing in this series in the past. If he continues playing at this exceptional level as he has been doing for the most part of the team’s franchise-best winning streak, it is not easy to imagine the Bengals not getting the win not only here but also in the Super Bowl.
They have been earning the respect of bookies and gamblers alike. Even a makeshift offensive line that is missing three starters gave up only one sack at Buffalo. If Cinci’s line can once again hold up, Burrow should be able to do what he does and improve to 4-0 record in his career against Kansas City.
Betting Kansas City Chiefs
The coaching and the defense can make a difference for Kansas City in this football game. It is going to be very important for head coach Andy Reid not to lean too heavily on Mahomes, instead relieving some of the pressure on him one way or another.
That will likely mean a heavier workload for running backs Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon. They combined to rush for 120 rushing yards on 23 carries last Saturday. McKinnon is experienced and has served more often than not as a third-down player.
However, he may be called upon a lot more because of his better blocking ability over rookie Pacheco. the latter is a more effective runner between the two. Making sure that Mahomes will stays vertical throughout the contest will also be critical. That is why his teammates must come to the rescue for the Chiefs to win this National Football League American Football Conference Championship football game.
All eyes are going to be on Patrick Mahomes heading into kickoff. Every move he makes or doesn’t make will be scrutinized to provide an update on his status. It would be a surprise if he did not suit up for the game.
He returned to last week’s game after the halftime even though he knew he had a high-ankle sprain, an injury that takes six to eight weeks to heal. The big question is whether it will literally hurt the team’s chances with him on the field.
It is going to be interesting to see how Reid will adapt the offensive attack game plan for the Chiefs, maybe relying more on the running game since Mahomes will lack the same mobility that has made him so lethal as a passer. Either way, the defense will also have to step up.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City will Win, Cover the Spread, and the Total will go Over.
