The Kansas City Chiefs just haven't seemed to figure out Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
Despite possessing a late lead in each of their last three matchups with Cincinnati, the Chiefs haven't been able to finish the job. Part of that is due to Burrow finding a way to keep the Bengals in the game, including last month's 27-24 win in Cincinnati even though the Chiefs possessed a fourth quarter lead.
A complementary defense led by "mad scientist" Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has also played a big role in flustering quarterback Patrick Mahomes in each of their last three meetings. However, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnoulo hasn't been able to say much of the same about Burrow.
Burrow has completed over 70% of his passes against the Chiefs while averaging over 325 passing yards per game and throwing just one interception to eight touchdowns in those three meetings. Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has played a big part of that success as he's scored a touchdown against the Chiefs every time he's played them, even catching a career-high 266 receiving yards in last year's Week 17 matchup.
The Chiefs' defense is slightly improved from last year's squad that finished with the sixth-worst total defense in the NFL, but it still hasn't completely cracked the code on stopping Burrow.
That will have to change with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line this weekend.
That doesn't mean Burrow is guaranteed to keep busting moves on the Chiefs, so what kind of gameplan should the Bengals expect for them to have? Moreover, how do the Bengals adjust to what the defense presents without abandoning their identity?
The Strictly Stripes crew lays out the framework for what's allowed Burrow to win most of his matchup against the Chiefs. Then, they assess how well the protection has played a part in his ability to throw off the Chiefs' defense while weighing on what running back Joe Mixon's role should look like.
Special guest Dan Hoard, the "Voice of the Bengals," joins the crew to give a special interpretation of Burrow on top of setting the stage for Sunday's AFC Championship.
This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad and Andrew Gillis.
Music: Starfields by Hallman
Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/
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