ESPN famously (now) had a graphic before the game comparing the teams and had QB and WR1 checked as an advantage for the Bills. QB an advantage for the Bills?!? Literally automatic grounds for firing for whomever came up for it due to complete lack of common sense and sports knowledge. And, Bills Mafia was banging that Diggs was definitely the better #1 WR due to leading the regular season in receptions and yards. Here's the thing, though. If the Chiefs played their starters against a putrid SD defense in Week 17, Travis Kelce likely makes history as the only TE to lead the NFL regular season in receiving yards. Kelce finished 119 yards behind while sitting out the last game.

Time doesn't run until the ball is touched by the receiving team. Immediate catch and give up results in no time off the clock. It's basically like fair-catching a punt.

The AFC Championship isn't played in Cincy and Cincy isn't getting some of the very favorable whistles it got that extended drives to win the last game.

Really flawed analysis. What do the Bengals, Chargers, Eagles and Dolphins have in common? A QB on their rookie contract. And Pittsburgh is only in that quadrant because they are dropping off Big Ben's contract but they have NO answer for him at QB. That pretty much is the only analysis you need. The inflection point is how a team manages their cap when the rookie contract expires. There is a reason why Seattle dropped off - Wilson's contract. There is a reason why Green Bay will struggle - Roger's contract. Hell, Indy and Denver had issues because Manning was never going to leave a dollar on the table.

So far, only two top tier quarterbacks have been willing to forgo monies for more complete roster construction - Brady (7 championships) and Mahomes (don't let the dollar amount fool you, its a very team-friendly contract).

Yep. Adams is going to want to waste the rest of his prime years with Jordan Love throwing him the ball? Doubtful. He forces a trade and I doubt he has to force it too hard as he will bring back a first-rounder, at minimum.

Oooh... Two downvotes. A couple of Bengals fans that KNOW that they got some kind whistles. Particularly on the last drive. The officials don't call an obvious false start and then a DPI on 4th down that even the announcers said wasn't a penalty. Congrats on the good season, it ends Sunday.

You're the one making assumptions on my behavior. Shit talking? I'm just addressing facts. Bengals fans have been the ones "popping your collar" and hyperbole was rife after that game. Stupid comments like, "If I was starting a franchise I would take Burrow over Mahomes." or "Burrow is part of the new young QBs that are going to challenge Mahomes." Hot take garbage. First, Burrow was lights out that game. Great, accurate passing. He also was kept alive by some very favorable officiating that would have ended the game. And "young"? He's 25. Patrick Mahomes is 26. Data says that Cincy is the epitome of an average NFL team this year. Can they get hot and win at KC? Of course, the Giants rode a hot streak to a Super Bowl. But to say, "the Bengals are(n't) some pushover fluke team like that Cardinals" is just dumb. The Cards have more talent, top to bottom, that the Bengals. Their QB had a really bad game and their franchise WR didn't play the 2nd half of the season. Show me how talented Burrow is without Jamar Chase.

Bengals best hope is Honey Badger and Fenton are still injured and Chase/Burrow have another out-of-body experience for the game. Frankly, their best hope was it was played in Cincinnati.

And I'm gracing your presence here only because I just noticed the thread. But I don't owe you an explanation.

Of course I'm a KC fan. As an aside, any adult who uses the phrase "butthurt" is either suffering from a closed-head injury or is still living in his Mom's basement.

My only observation is that while McVay/Shanahan offenses have taught you that you do indeed need a good QB to execute it. SF is winning in spite of Jimmy G. He even said he didn't trust Jimmy G to execute on 3rd and 7. LA cast off Goff the minute they were able to. Neither of those offenses have won a Super Bowl and it can be easily argued that the only reason this is true is due to mediocre QB play.

You need a top QB to win in today's NFL. It's no coincidence that of the remaining teams you have a #1 overall (Stafford), Mahomes (#10 overall, no explanations needed) and Burrow (#5 overall and has beat Mahomes). SF is a anomaly as they win in spite of Jimmy G with stout D and a running game. Does Jimmy G elevate the play of SF? No. The other 3 can and do.

So, Amazon pays a premium to get TNF and the NFL sticks them with this crap. The opener with the Chiefs/Chargers was the high point for Amazon. A bunch of really *blech* games. Maybe the Pats v. Bills game will be interesting, but even that is likely to be the Bills steamrolling the Pats. Bezos might be asking for a credit at this point.

I love football, but this game and the previous TNF game make me want to gouge my eyes out. As as aside, Wentz is total garbage as a QB. Can't hit a receiver. And Justin Fields is only incrementally better. These are 2 of the best 32 QBs in the world?

Don't be so sure. The other owners are pissed that the Browns essentially offered Watson a fully-guaranteed contract. That is a not the direction the league wants to go with the high injury rate in football.