The Kansas City Chiefs will look for their third Super Bowl appearance in the last four years and fifth in franchise history when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Sunday's AFC Championship Game. It will be the fifth consecutive AFC title game appearance for the Chiefs (15-3), who are just the third team to ever accomplish that impressive feat. The Bengals (14-4) advanced to the AFC Championship Game in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history. Cincinnati is looking to make its fourth Super Bowl appearance and second consecutive.
Kickoff from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, is set for 6:30 p.m. ET. Kansas City is a 1.5-point favorite in the latest Chiefs vs. Bengals odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 48. Before you make any Bengals vs. Chiefs picks or NFL playoff predictions, make sure you check out what SportsLine's resident Bengals expert, R.J. White, has to say.
White, a Fantasy and gambling editor for CBS Sports, consistently crushes against-the-spread picks and went 445-378-24 on his ATS picks from 2017-21, which returned $2,542 to $100 players. He's also an incredible 49-32-2 on his last 83 against-the-spread picks involving the Bengals, returning $1,354 for $100 bettors.
He's well-known for cashing out big in the Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest twice since 2015. White also cashed big on his NFL futures in 2021, including nailing Jonathan Taylor as the NFL rushing leader at 10-1. Anyone who has followed White is way up.
Now, White has zoned in on Bengals vs. Chiefs and just locked in his picks and NFL playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are the NFL odds and betting lines for Bengals vs. Chiefs:
- Bengals vs. Chiefs spread: Kansas City -1.5
- Bengals vs. Chiefs over/under: 48 points
- Bengals vs. Chiefs money line: Cincinnati +105, Kansas City -125
- CIN: Bengals are 13-2-1 against the spread in their last 16 games against teams with a winning record
- KC: Under is 4-0 in the Chiefs' last four home games against teams with a winning road record
- Bengals vs. Chiefs picks: See picks here
Why the Bengals can cover
Quarterback Joe Burrow has been dominant for Cincinnati. In two postseason games, Burrow has completed 46 of 68 passes (67.6%) for 451 yards and three touchdowns for a 100.8 rating. In last week's win at Buffalo, he completed 23 of 36 (63.9%) for 242 yards and two scores. In the first meeting against the Chiefs in December, Burrow threw for 286 yards on 25 of 31 passing (80.7%) and two touchdowns. He also rushed 11 times for 46 yards and a touchdown.
Running back Joe Mixon is coming off his second 100-yard rushing performance of the year, carrying 20 times for 105 yards (5.3 average) and one touchdown in the win over the Bills. He also rushed for 153 yards on 22 carries (7.0 average) and four touchdowns in a 42-21 win over Carolina on Nov. 6. He did not face the Chiefs in their Dec. 4 matchup. In 14 regular-season games, Mixon carried 210 times for 814 yards (3.9 average) and seven touchdowns. He also had four explosive plays of 20 yards or more, including a season-high 40-yard run. See which team to pick here.
Why the Chiefs can cover
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has 32 touchdowns (28 passing and four rushing) with three interceptions with a 116.7 rating in 10 career home playoff starts, with two or more touchdown passes in each of his past five games. He has a 90-plus rating in each of four career starts against Cincinnati, including the playoffs. Mahomes led the NFL with 5,250 passing yards and 41 touchdown passes in 2022, joining Drew Brees as the only players ever with two career seasons of 5,000-plus passing yards and 40 or more touchdown passes. He is looking for his sixth game in a row overall with a 105-plus rating.
Jerick McKinnon led all running backs with nine receiving touchdowns in 2022, which tied for the most by a running back in a single season in the Super Bowl era. He also finished the regular season with a touchdown catch in six straight games, including Week 13 at Cincinnati, the longest streak ever by a running back. During the regular season, McKinnon carried 72 times for 291 yards (4.0 average) and one touchdown. See which team to pick here.
How to make Bengals vs. Chiefs picks
For Sunday's AFC Championship Game 2023 matchup, White is leaning over the point total, but he also says a critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back. You can find out what it is, and see the rest of White's picks and analysis, at SportsLine.
Who wins Bengals vs. Chiefs in the NFL playoffs 2023? And what critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Bengals vs. Chiefs spread you need to jump on Sunday, all from the expert who's 49-32 on Bengals picks, and find out.
