The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are again for one more week, and it is for one more contest in opposition to an AFC North foe.
Coming to city this time are the Cincinnati Bengals, who’re in determined want of a win early within the yr. Joe Burrow and Co. fell to the New England Patriots in Week 1’s upset, and dropping to 0-2 would put them in a gap to kick off the 2024-25 marketing campaign. On the opposite facet, a Kansas Metropolis victory would maintain the Chiefs in an important spot each inside their very own division and when occupied with doable playoff seeding down the road.
How will the sport unfold? The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs On SI crew makes its predictions for Week 2 of the 2024-25 marketing campaign.
Joshua Brisco: The Bengals want this recreation greater than the Chiefs, however I am unsure if they will take it. As stupendous as Ja’Marr Chase is, the absence of Tee Higgins and offseason departure of Tyler Boyd leaves Joe Burrow’s array of weapons showing considerably much less daunting, whereas the Chiefs’ offense seems well-positioned to maneuver the ball in opposition to the identical protection that allowed 170 dashing yards to the New England Patriots in Week 1. Trey Hendrickson vs. Kingsley Suamataia is my matchup of the sport, but when the Bengals cannot get strain except for Hendrickson, I am assured that Patrick Mahomes will have the ability to maintain the passing recreation on time even when his rookie left deal with will get beat. I am leaning into my skepticism concerning the Bengals’ offense with a not-quite-right Burrow and assuming the Chiefs take the air out of the ball in the event that they seize a double-digit lead.
Prediction: Chiefs 24, Bengals 13
Jordan Foote: It might be surprising to see the Bengals come out as flat as they did every week in the past in opposition to the Patriots. With that mentioned, there’s nonetheless a transparent benefit on the Chiefs’ facet and I believe that will probably be sufficient to return away with a win. Like many Cincinnati-Kansas Metropolis matchups within the latest previous, count on a reasonably shut recreation. The Bengals most likely will not simply roll over. However with Patrick Mahomes dealing and the Bengals’ offense nonetheless discovering its footing, the house workforce will get the victory in Week 2.
Prediction: Chiefs 24, Bengals 20
Zack Eisen: A well-recognized foe involves Arrowhead, or as they name it, “Burrowhead,” this week. The Bengals are coming off a complicated loss at dwelling to the Patriots in Week 1. They struggled on each side of the ball, however count on them to be able to play in opposition to the Chiefs. Kansas Metropolis can acquire a major tiebreaker benefit by beating two different AFC contenders within the season’s opening weeks. The offense ought to have the ability to set up themselves early and sometimes on this recreation, permitting the protection to make the most of a weak Cincinnati offensive line. The Chiefs benefit from the pleasant confines of Arrowhead and cruise to a victory.
Prediction: Chiefs 31, Bengals 20
Mark Van Sickle: The Bengals had an embarrassing loss at dwelling in Week 1, however that is the NFL and something can occur week to week. The Chiefs are the higher workforce, however they may nonetheless have to exit and show it. I count on to see a excessive dosage of Isiah Pacheco because the Bengals had a tricky time stopping the run in Week 1. Pacheco had a career-high in dashing yards in opposition to the Bengals final yr with a 130-yard effort, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see him have one other nice recreation this week. The Chiefs’ offense can go so many various instructions: Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and extra. The Bengals will try to put up a combat, however they gained’t have the ability to win a shootout in Kansas Metropolis.