Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs: A History of Rivalry
The Early Years
The Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs first met on the gridiron in 1970, just two years after the Bengals joined the NFL as an expansion team.
The Chiefs won that first meeting, 31-17, and would go on to dominate the early years of the rivalry, winning seven of the first eight contests.
The Bengals finally broke through in 1977, winning 20-10, and the rivalry began to heat up.
The 1980s and 1990s
The 1980s and 1990s were a back-and-forth affair, with both teams enjoying periods of dominance.
The Bengals won four of the first five meetings in the 1980s, but the Chiefs rebounded to win six of the next seven.
The 1990s were even more evenly matched, with the teams trading wins and losses on a regular basis.
The 21st Century
The 21st century has seen the Chiefs take control of the rivalry, winning 12 of the 18 meetings since 2000.
This includes a four-game winning streak from 2011 to 2014, and a three-game winning streak from 2017 to 2019.
The Bengals have won the last two meetings, including a 27-24 victory in the 2022 AFC Championship Game.
Key Moments in the Rivalry
Some of the most memorable moments in the Bengals-Chiefs rivalry include:
- The Chiefs' 31-17 victory in the first meeting in 1970.
- The Bengals' 20-10 victory in 1977, which snapped the Chiefs' seven-game winning streak.
- The Chiefs' 38-10 victory in the 1994 AFC Divisional Championship Game.
- The Bengals' 34-31 victory in the 2022 AFC Championship Game.
Conclusion
The Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs have been locked in a heated rivalry for over 50 years.
The two teams have met in the playoffs six times, with the Chiefs holding a 4-2 advantage.
With both teams expected to contend for the AFC Championship again in 2023, the rivalry is sure to continue to be one of the most exciting in the NFL.
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