The Kansas City Chiefs took down one of their top rivals in the AFC last season in Week 1. In Week 2, they face another historic AFC rival in the form of Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals.
With such a hotly anticipated matchup on the way this weekend, many are making predictions.
However, this set of predictions would be one of the most surprising game arcs so far this season.
Here’s a look at three surprises that could be waiting in Week 2.
Travis Kelce finishes with less than 50 yards
Travis Kelce isn’t one to go long without getting his bite at the apple. As the Chiefs tight end has earned at least 1000 yards in every season since 2015 sans once, he doesn’t miss much in back-to-back weeks. However, that is what will happen to kick off the 2024 season.
Kelce finished with just three catches for 34 yards last week. While he may trend up against the Bengals, Kelce will still come away with less than half of 100 yards.
Of course, this doesn’t mean he will miss the end zone. As a red zone favorite of Patrick Mahomes, Kelce is likely in line for a touchdown this week. But he won’t do much between the 20s.
Patrick Mahomes throws for more interceptions than touchdowns
Mahomes looked shaky in his first game of the season. Despite completing over 70% of his throws, he threw for just one touchdown and one interception. The touchdown pass came on a busted coverage.
With the Bengals coming off a game in which they allowed only 16 points, Mahomes will have more interceptions than touchdowns this week. It will be the shock of the league, prompting analysts and fans to sound the alarm for a Super Bowl hangover.
Kansas City Chiefs win 17-14
Despite Kelce’s lackluster showing and Mahomes looking out of sorts once again, the Chiefs will win. Whether it is Joe Burrow’s wrist injury holding him back or Ja’Marr Chase’s holdout hangover, the Bengals will fall short. Some will chalk up the difference to the home-field advantage handed to the Chiefs in the contest.
With the game taking place at Arrowhead Stadium, the chants will get to Cincinnati’s offensive line, causing one key false start. This will derail the Bengals’ offense one too many times, gifting the win to the Kansas City Chiefs.
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