Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo. (grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Bengals by 3.5
Forecast: Mostly sunny, 50s.
Records: Chiefs (Overall: 1-8, AFC West: 0-3); Bengals (Overall: 4-5, NFC North: 1-3)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Dec. 27, 2009: Bengals 17, Chiefs 10; Dec. 28, 2008: Bengals 16, Chiefs 6. Series record: Tied 13-13.
What matters: Did you hear? The Chiefs led a game on Monday night. In regulation. With actual time left on the clock. Now that they have that embarrassing streak behind them, maybe the Chiefs will win another game. Reason not to believe this -- other than the fact that they're a bad team -- is how they've performed following any of their decent performances. After a semi-respectable showing in Week 1 when they were competitive for a half with Atlanta, they got blown out 35-17 the next week at Buffalo. After winning in overtime in New Orleans, they turned the ball over six times in a 37-20 loss at home to the Chargers. And following a 9-6 loss to Baltimore, the Chiefs lost 38-10 at Tampa Bay.
Who matters: QB Matt Cassel. For the Chiefs to get another win, they're going to need Cassel to limit his turnovers and make a couple big plays. Cassel nearly did that on Monday night against the Steelers. His conversion on fourth-and-15 to WR Dwayne Bowe at the end of the fourth quarter helped send the game to overtime, but then he threw the interception that lost the game. Cassel has now turned it over 19 times this season. Cassel will also need to get rid of the ball quickly against the Bengals, who have 27 sacks this season.
Key matchups: DT Geno Atkins vs. Kansas City offensive guards. It's not a good time for the Chiefs to go up against an elite defensive tackle. Rookie RG Jeff Allen has struggled more than any other Chiefs' lineman and on the left side, the Chiefs will be playing a backup with Jon Asamoah out with a thumb injury and Russ Hochstein in his place. Hochstein hasn't started a game since 2010. Atkins, who leads the Bengals with seven sacks, should have a big advantage wherever he lines up. WR A.J. Green vs. Kansas City cornerbacks. Wherever the 6-4 wideout lines up, he will likely be up against a 5-foot-9 cornerback. The Chiefs would be better off if Green lined up against Brandon Flowers, who has been one of the few bright spots on the team. The Bengals should do whatever they can to get Green against Javier Arenas, who is making his third straight start after taking over for the recently-cut Stanford Routt.
Injuries of note: WR Jon Baldwin (head) has not been cleared to play yet. Asamoah is out after undergoing thumb surgery on Wednesday. NT Dontari Poe (ankle) and Bowe (thigh) were both limited at practice this week.
Inside stuff: The Chiefs were rather celebratory on Monday night -- most notably, dancing in the end zone after a touchdown that was called back. Romeo Crennel said he would put an end to that this week. Knowing they can't dance and aren't going up against former coach Todd Haley, will the Chiefs play with as much energy?
Stat you should know: The Chiefs have a minus-20 turnover ratio. They're still on pace to see the record for the worst in a season, which is negative-30.
Looking ahead: The Chiefs play Denver for the first time this season next Sunday at Arrowhead.
Prediction: Bengals 24, Chiefs 13
Follow Chiefs reporter C.J. Moore on Twitter @CBSChiefs and @cjmoore4.
