The Kansas City Chiefs recently have shown signs of losing their cool while falling short on the scoreboard.
With losses in three of their last four games, the Chiefs (9-6) aim to regain their composure on Sunday afternoon when they host the Cincinnati Bengals (8-7).
For all of its recent troubles, however, Kansas City can clinch a playoff berth and its eighth straight AFC West title with either a win or tie Sunday. The Chiefs also can punch both tickets with a Las Vegas Raiders’ loss or tie against the Indianapolis Colts and a Denver Broncos loss or tie against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
Kansas City didn’t do itself any favors with Monday’s 20-14 setback to the Raiders. Patrick Mahomes threw for 235 yards and a touchdown. However, his interception was returned 33 yards for a touchdown by Jack Jones to stake Las Vegas to a 17-7 lead in the second quarter.
Frustration was evident as star tight end Travis Kelce threw his helmet on the sideline. Mahomes, however, told reporters Wednesday that visible displays like that also show a level of commitment and desire.
“People see frustration and they think it causes controversy,” Mahomes said. “I see it as a way of showing that people care. They care about their profession, they care about trying to do whatever they can to win games.
“When I see stuff like that happen, obviously, we want to be in a positive light and everything like that, but I see someone that cares about the game and someone that wants to be better and not better for themselves but for the team.”
Chiefs coach Andy Reid didn’t appreciate Kelce’s outburst on Sunday, going so far as to prevent him from re-entering the game.
“The game of football is an emotional game, so that’s expected,” Reid said Wednesday. “You see those things happen. We’ve just got to make sure we generate it in the right direction and we go that way and fix the problems.”
Mahomes has thrown for five touchdowns and five interceptions in his last four games after tossing 21 and nine, respectively, over his previous 11. The two-time NFL MVP completed 29 of 43 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns — including one to Kelce — in Kansas City’s 23-20 win over Cincinnati in last season’s AFC Championship Game on Jan. 29.
Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (concussion, shoulder) is among those listed as questionable after being injured against the Raiders.
Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (calf) is questionable after not practicing all week. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) and receiver Mecole Hardman (thumb) are also questionable for Kansas City.
Kansas City receiver Kadarius Toney (hip) and offensive tackle Donovan Smith (neck) have been ruled out for the second straight game.
Cincinnati star wideout Ja’Marr Chase (shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday and was limited the next two days. The team listed Chase as questionable on Friday, with the receiver saying he intended to decide Sunday whether he can play.
“Just see how the week progresses with him,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said of Chase, who leads the team in catches (93), receiving yards (1,156) and receiving touchdowns (seven).
Chase sat out last Saturday’s 34-11 setback to the Pittsburgh Steelers. That decision snapped a three-game winning streak for the Bengals, who reside in 10th place in the AFC as one of five teams in the conference with an 8-7 record.
Tee Higgins reeled in his third touchdown pass in his last two games while rolling up a season-high 140 receiving yards last Saturday. He also found the end zone in last season’s AFC Championship Game.
Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt returned to practice Wednesday after a stint on injured reserve due to an ailing ankle and is slated to play.
“You know the offense, you know the quarterback (Mahomes is one of the) best in the league and wants to take shots downfield,” Taylor-Britt said, per the Cincinnati Enquirer. “That is one thing we can’t do, we got to just prevent that. I plan to come in and just lead you know, like I said not do too much just add my juice, you know, bringing the defensive energy, you know, let us all come together in one and play on defense.”
Cornerback Jalen Davis (groin) also is listed as questionable for the Bengals.
The Chiefs boast the NFL’s fourth-ranked passing offense (253.5) and ninth-ranked total offense (355.4 yards per game). The Bengals, in turn, yield the league’s second-most total yards per game (383.4) and fifth-most passing yards (256.1)
