NFL playoff predictions: can anyone derail the Kansas City Chiefs’ three-peat bid?
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The postseason kicks off on Saturday. Our writers pick the dark horses, players to watch and make their tips for the NFL’s championship game. Cincinnati Bengals. This is the obvious answer, as it’s a bummer when the team with one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks (Joe Burrow), the receiving triple crown winner (Ja’Marr Chase) and the NFL’s sack leader (Trey Hendrickson) is on the outside looking in. Plus, it would certainly be fun to watch opposing offenses torch the Bengals’ iffy defense. As it is, we’ll have to wait until next season to know whether a defensive overhaul (including the firing of defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo) will bear any dividends. Doug Farrar.
![[The Kansas City Chiefs are bidding to become the first team to win three straight NFL championships in the Super Bowl era.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/89dfcbb0675c3f43d08828400b029f75a43ee7e4/0_0_6188_4125/master/6188.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Cincinnati Bengals. Burrow delivered an MVP-caliber season and Chase achieved the rare triple crown of receiving, but the Bengals’ five-game win streak to end the regular season wasn’t enough to cancel out their 4-8 start, inconsistent play on both lines and a dismal 4-7 record in one-score games. Bryan Armen Graham.
![[Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson will look to dispel his reputation for coming up short in big games.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/d6592f36071e41d82054f8668a36f8945a9c1f2b/0_0_5429_3620/master/5429.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Cincinnati Bengals. I’m still salivating at the notion of a Bengals-Bills wild-card showdown that will never be. Thanks a lot, Kansas City. Whether intentional or not, the entire AFC owes Andy Reid a few new Hawaiian shirts. The Bengals ended the season on fire with five straight wins. Denver are a fine addition but let’s be real: Burrow and Chase would draw significantly more interest. New rule proposal: a team with the best wideout in football who proves it by winning the triple crown gets a free pass to the postseason. Melissa Jacobs.
