Can the Cincinnati Bengals Overthrow the Kansas City Chefs in 2024?

The Arrowhead outfit picked up their second straight Lombardi last season - and they're third in five years - as they defeated the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The Niners will be on the hunt for revenge this year, but perhaps no team in the entire league is more able to usurp the Chiefs than the Cincinnati Bengals. 
Ever since Joe Burrow was made the number one overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, no team has handed the Chefs more losses than Cincy. In the four games in which the former Heisman winner and his opposite number Patrick Mahomes have started against each other, it has been Burrow and his Bengals that have run out victorious on three occasions. So, are they the only team in the country that can stop the Chiefs from completing the three-peat? 

Bouncing Back

The 2023 season was one filled with adversity for the Bengals, and that's reflected in the bookies odds for the 2024 campaign. With the new season just around the corner, bookies are preparing a sports betting bonus ahead of the new season. Not only are they doing that, but they are installing the reigning champion Chiefs as +600 favorites for the Lombardi, while the Bengals are out +1400. Much of that is due to them missing the playoffs last term, however, there was a reason for their downfall. 
Injuries plagued key players, including quarterback Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. The offensive line struggled to protect their main man under center, leading to a high sack rate that disrupted the team's offensive rhythm. It also resulted in the QB supremo suffering a season-ending wrist injury.

Joe Burrow's Return to Fitness

A healthy Joe Burrow is the cornerstone of the Bengals' resurgence. Despite battling injuries last season, he demonstrated his resilience and leadership. Now, with a full offseason to recover and train, he's expected to return stronger and more determined than ever, leading his side to a deep postseason run once more. In just his second campaign as a starter, he led the Bengals to the Super Bowl for the first time in 33 years. The following season, he took them to the AFC Championship game. Last season admittedly didn't go as planned, but 2024 will be different. 

Emerging Playmakers

Ja'Marr Chase remains a premier weapon in the Bengals' arsenal. Despite his injuries in 2023, the former Louisiana State standout showcased his explosive playmaking ability. Alongside him, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd provide additional threats in the receiving corps, making it difficult for defences to focus solely on Chase. The former hasn't yet resigned from the Bengals and there are plenty of teams sniffing around for his signature, but he is ultimately expected to remain at Paycor Stadium, which would be a statement of intent should he do exactly that. 

Built to Beat the Chiefs?

Is there anyone then that's more adept at facing and defeating the Chiefs than the Bengals? In recent years, the Buffalo Bills have become heavy hitters in the AFC, but Mahomes and Co. have eliminated them from the playoffs in three of the last four seasons. Meanwhile, Cincy is 1-1 against the reigning champs in postseason games, winning in 2021 and losing in 2022. And to be fair, that defeat was solely down to a personal foul in the latter stages by defensive end Joseph Ossai. Without that mistake, the Bengals could have already had that maiden Lombardi under their belt. Will it finally head to The Queen City this season?