Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs predictions & NFL betting tips

Free American football tips, best bets and analysis for Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & NFL, 8pm Sunday

Best bet

Kansas City Chiefs -7
1pt 5-6 Coral, Ladbrokes, Hills

Match preview

For the fourth year in a row, the AFC Championship will be decided at Arrowhead Stadium with the Kansas City Chiefs heavy favourites to complete a hat-trick of conference titles.

Standing in their way are the upstart Cincinnati Bengals, who have transformed from NFL also-rans to Super Bowl contenders in the blink of an eye thanks to young stars Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase.

It was Burrow and Chase who stole the show when these teams met in Week 17 of the regular season, the duo combining for 266 yards and three touchdowns as the Bengals came from behind to pull off a 34-31 upset.

That game took place in Cincinnati, however, and there will be a different complexion to this contest which could spell the end for the inexperienced Bengals.

The Chiefs gained 7.1 yards per play against Cincinnati in Week 17 and had very few issues moving the ball, especially in the first half. Since then, running backs Jerrick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire have imposed themselves more, while Travis Kelce has returned to his best after Covid.

Tight end Kelce registered only five catches for 25 yards in the first match against Cincinnati but it was his first game back after on the Covid reserve list.

McKinnon and Edwards-Helaire offer a different element out of the backfield and a fully healthy Kelce will overwhelm the Bengals' linebackers, who are below-average in coverage and have given up the fourth-most receptions to tight ends this season (96).

The Bengals will probably push the Chiefs to an extent and do have the weapons to make this a close game, but standing up to Patrick Mahomes and co on their own field is no easy proposition.

Kansas City have scored 42 points in both their playoff games this season and ultimately their talent and big-game experience should help them cover the spread for a sixth straight home match.

The lowdown

Venue Arrowhead Stadium
Surface Grass
Weather Mostly sunny, 7C
Vegas handicap Kansas City Chiefs -7
Vegas points line 54

Key stat

The Kansas City Chiefs are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven home playoff games.

Not got a William Hill account? Sign up and bet £10 to get £30 in free bets

Open a new account using Promo code H30 only, Min £10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Pickswise is the #1 destination for US sports betting, covering the NFL, NBA, MLB and more in unrivalled detail.

For all your US sports betting needs, make sure to check out Pickswise, the home of stateside picks, predictions and odds.