Sunday Night Football on NBC should be a game every team gets excited to play. It’s a chance to showcase your team in front of a nationally televised audience. In the Cincinnati Bengals case, though, playing on NBC Sunday Night Football over the years has only exposed them as a team that flops on the prime-time stage.
As soon as I found out last Tuesday that the Bengals game Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs was flexed to Sunday Night Football on NBC, I actually was so excited almost to the point where I was about to jump out of my skin. This game is an opportunity for the Bengals to not only bounce back from last week’s loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers but also to win a game against a very lethal Chiefs team led by rookie quarterback sensation Patrick Mahomes II.
Why this prime-time game will be different
I fully acknowledge the Bengals struggles on the prime-time stage. Cincinnati is 9-23 in these games since Marvin Lewis took over as head coach in 2003 and 0-5 on NBC Sunday Night Football since quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green entered the league in 2011.
The Bengals win over the Baltimore Ravens in week two on Thursday Night Football, though, is one reason why I believe this season is different. I think that game showed Dalton is going to show up every time now the Bengals play under the lights, something he was criticized for not doing in seasons prior to this one.
Dalton has also given the Bengals a chance to win every single game this season, even if he hasn’t been at his best. This is his eighth season and I think he is playing with a greater sense of urgency and as motivated as I have ever seen him play. With that said, I think he is going to be at his best Sunday night in what is arguably a must-win game for the Bengals. I don’t think the Bengals can fall to 4-3 and still expect to win the AFC North especially with games against the New Orleans Saints and at Baltimore right after their week nine bye.
Sunday night’s key offensive player
The stars come out on NBC Sunday Night Football, and the Bengals need Green to have a big game on Sunday. I used to always think that Green didn’t put up great performances on Sunday Night Football, but he has racked up 80 or more yards in each of last four appearances on Sunday Night Football on NBC. Now that Dalton, I think, has shown that he’s not afraid of the prime-time stage, it’s time for him and Green to take their amazingly consistent connection to another level.
If the Bengals are going to beat the Chiefs, who can put up a lot of points with their lethal offense, that’s exactly what the Bengals are going to have to do; score a lot of points. How do they do that? By Dalton targeting Green at least 12 times, preferably 15, and giving Green a chance to have one of the most prolific games of his career, the Bengals will be in a position to win.
Sunday night’s key defensive players
There isn’t one particular player on the Bengals defense that’s the key to the game; there are players on every level that need to be at their best to slow down a Chiefs offense loaded with playmakers.
Defensive linemen Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap need to set the tone up front in getting to Mahomes, especially after not sacking Ben Roethlisbeger once last week. The linebackers will need to somehow contain former University of Cincinnati Bearcats standout in tight end Travis Kelce and slow down running back Kareem Hunt. To me, though, the biggest key will be the cornerback that covers wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who I think is the Chiefs biggest playmaker.
My hope is Dre Kirkpatrick is matched up against him because he has great speed. He may not be as big and physical as the freak of nature Hill is, but his speed combined with the help of a safety should be able to contain the Cheetah, which is Hill’s nickname.
The Bengals have forced at least two turnovers in each of their three wins and creating turnovers is something they will have to do Sunday night.
Final thoughts
The Chiefs are beatable. While they may be more than a slight favorite Sunday night, their defense is vulnerable to dynamic offenses like the Bengals. They’ve actually allowed more points and yards than the Bengals. I truly believe this season is different than any previous season, and I’m not holding anything back on this prediction.
Score prediction: Bengals 38 Chiefs 35
Let me be Frank and Cut to the Chase 