The month of December is off to a good start for the Cincinnati Bengals.
They're now winners of four straight after defeating a Kansas City Chiefs squad, 27-24, that was the top-seed in the AFC entering Sunday evening's contest. That's the Bengals' third straight win over one of the NFL's best teams in recent years.
There would be no revenge for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, whose team wanted to avenge last year's AFC title game loss in overtime to the Bengals back at Arrowhead Stadium in January. Although Mahomes had a moderate performance throwing for 223 passing yards and a rushing touchdown, Kansas City had a costly fumble, and Mahomes was sacked on a critical third down late in the game.
Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase shined in his return from injury for the Bengals and was backed by his fellow star-studded receiver Tee Higgins. Running back Samaje Perine had over 100 yards on the ground in place of injured running back Joe Mixon. Quarterback Joe Burrow elevated his name in the MVP conversation with 286 passing yards and three total touchdowns he produced.
Despite allowing almost 350 total yards of offense, Cincinnati's defense made the big plays that mattered thanks to unsung leaders like Germaine Pratt and Joseph Ossai.
The Strictly Stripes crew digests a win that puts Cincinnati in the forefront of many prominent conversations in the NFL, such as:

Can Joe Burrow win the MVP award this season?

How can the Bengals win not just the AFC North, but back-to-back conference titles?

Will the Bengals play their best football in the final five games of the year?


Plus, they continue breaking down the current playoff picture in the AFC.
This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Michael Niziolek.
Music: Starfields by Hallman
Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/
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