The Chiefs need a win over the Bengals to clinch another AFC West title, and they still have work to do in the second half to get there.
Bengals quarterback Jake Browning threw a touchdown and ran for another as the Bengals took a 17-7 lead in the second quarter of Sunday's game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs were able to score two field goals after the rushing score, giving the Bengals a 17:13 lead at halftime.
After the Bengals' second touchdown, Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay could be seen chatting with his teammates on the sideline, but from that point on things seemed to calm down for the Kansas City defense.
A season-ending problem forced the Chiefs to settle for Harrison Butker's second field goal. Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantiling dropped a pass on third down that would have counted as a first down and could have landed in the end zone if everything had gone right. Mistakes like this have happened far too often this season, and Patrick Mahomes had another one early in the half.
Mahomes was stripped by Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to set up Cincinnati's second touchdown of the game. It was Mahomes' 17th turnover of the year, his most in a single season, and preventing that number from increasing will be a key to their chances of finally conquering the division.
Giving Isiah Pacheco more ball might also help. He had five carries for 88 yards and three catches for 35 yards to lead their offensive effort in the first half.
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