The Cincinnati Bengals have been spotlighted by fans, analysts, and pundits as the potential “Batman” to Patrick Mahomes’ “Joker.” Most analysts and fans assume this because of the history between the Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs.
However, the real reason is much more practical and has to do with how the AFC is set up in 2024.
While some might look at this expecting a list of reasons why the Bengals are good enough to challenge Mahomes, a look in reverse illustrates the point clearly. Aside from Burrow’s team, there are a handful of other potential challengers this season.
Anthony Richardson’s Colts, Lamar Jackson’s Ravens, CJ Stroud’s Texans, and Deshaun Watson’s Browns are all candidates. But none of them can match Burrow’s Bengals.
Aside from Burrow, rivals of Mahomes have placed their hopes on Stroud and the Texans. However, 2024 might not be their year.
With a year’s worth of tape now open to defenses to dissect and plenty of time in the off-season to do it, Stroud won’t have the element of surprise. Meaning, he will need to learn some new tricks that he’s just as good at as he was as a rookie. The odds of that are low, so Stroud won’t be the knight in shining armor this year.
Other AFC contenders don’t match the Bengals
Keeping in the AFC North, Jackson and the Ravens have proven they can beat Mahomes and the Chiefs in the regular season. However, Baltimore was a practical no-show against Kansas City with the Super Bowl on the line last winter. Outside of a late failed comeback attempt, the Chiefs controlled the game.
The Browns have seen reasons to believe, but it seems that always one piece goes wrong. In 2022, Watson missed half the season due to suspension. Last year, he wasn’t suspended, but he and Nick Chubb were injured.
Mahomes has proven that he can beat Tua Tagovailoa’s Dolphins anytime, anywhere, and in any weather. Last year, he beat the Dolphins in a historic cold snap and in Europe. Aaron Rodgers’ Jets first need to prove they can make the playoffs and remain healthy before they can take on Mahomes in a competitive manner.
Richardson’s Colts are a wild card that technically have the potential to surprise people this season. However, nothing can be guaranteed, and there are so many outcomes below beating the most established name in the NFL since Tom Brady. Assuming that level of productivity out of Richardson would be a massive gamble.
Overall, Burrow remains the AFC’s best hope to defeat Mahomes due to the simple fact that the rest of the league’s best quarterbacks have much more reason for doubt than Burrow.
That said, this doesn’t mean that Burrow’s Bengals are a guaranteed kryptonite for Mahomes, either. Rather, it simply means they have the best shot to defeat Mahomes in the AFC.
That is, if the Chiefs somehow don’t defeat themselves, which might be the biggest worry for Chiefs fans.
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