Bengals vs Chiefs: Who are the experts picking in Week 17?

The Cincinnati Bengals face the mighty Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17. Any other year, this game would be turned off by halftime, but there’s hope yet for Cincy.

Joey Franchise just put up 500-plus yards in Week 16’s demolishment of the Ravens, so let’s continue riding that high.

The 9-6 Bengals have since claimed first place in the AFC North, but whether they keep that position will depend on how well they can control their destiny.

Week 17’s matchup against the Chiefs should be fun.

Patrick Mahomes will get all his targets back, including the formidable Travis Kelce, while Joe Burrow has been steadily building chemistry with Higgins, Boyd, and Chase.

Cincinnati steamrolled over a practice squad secondary, but the Chiefs defense definitely won’t let Burrow throw as many deep passes as he did against Baltimore.

Many expect this matchup to become a high-octane shootout between two of the most in-form quarterbacks in the league.

Here’s what the experts have to say about Week 17:

Expert picks for Cincinnati Bengals vs Kansas City Chiefs

• Alex Buck (Pro Football Network) – Chiefs 34, Bengals 31
• Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) – Chiefs 33, Bengals 31
• Connor Rogers (Bleacher Report) – Chiefs 28, Bengals 21
• Sam Farmer (LA Times) – Chiefs 28, Bengals 24

No one picked the Bengals, but with Mahomes and Co. looking in tip-top shape right now, who would?

Cincinnati has all the offensive weapons to beat any NFL team, but so does Kansas City — and they have the upper hand with experience and arguably much better coaching.

Prisco of CBS Sports notes how this matchup could come down to the wire (and perhaps the efforts of a certain rookie kicker):

"The Bengals are riding high after blowing out the Ravens last week, while the Chiefs are the top seed in the AFC. This has all the makings of an offensive shootout, with Joe Burrow trying to match Patrick Mahomes. It will be a treat to watch. It will be close, too."

Rogers of Bleacher Report backs the Chiefs because, well, they’re the Chiefs:

"Twenty-six, 6, 39, 13, 10 and 27. That’s how much Kansas City has won by in its last six games. This is an offense going full throttle again and, more importantly, a defense that has been able to put the ball back in the offense’s hands. I love Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense, but it doesn’t matter who the Chiefs are playing right now: They should be trusted to win by at least two field goals."

Not so fun fact: the Bengals haven’t won three consecutive games at any point this season. They won their last two.

The odds are rightfully in Kansas City’s favor, but the Bengals could play a near-perfect game and topple the former Super Bowl champions. If the team wants to once and for all prove they’re “legit” in 2021, this would be the game to do so.