If Sunday’s AFC Championship Game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs matches the war of words that has unfolded between the two teams and cities, we’ll be in for a classic. At various times throughout the week, the Bengals have referred to Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium as “Burrowhead Stadium,” referencing quarterback Joe Burrow’s record against the Chiefs. Chris Jones, Kansas City’s All-Pro defensive tackle, noticed.
During a press conference on Friday, Jones was asked about what he’ll be doing on Saturday to get ready for the game.
“Rest, watch a little more film, see what else I can pick up and eliminate all distractions,” Jones said. Then, as he was walking away from the microphone, Jones got one last shot in. “Take care. See y’all at Burrowhead Stadium.”
#Chiefs DT Chris Jones ends his press conference:
"See you all at Burrowhead Stadium." pic.twitter.com/cRob95zRaK
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 27, 2023
The NFL world reacted to Jones’ press conference shot with great excitement, looking forward to Sunday’s game.
This is going to be so much fun pic.twitter.com/Q3GNBiTcp6
— trey wingo (@wingoz) January 27, 2023
Sports need rivalries and hatred. This is awesome. I love it https://t.co/Q94JozKyGX
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) January 27, 2023
Chiefs milking this for all it's worth. https://t.co/9bMBMOFtjt
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) January 27, 2023
I will be betting on Chris Jones to have at least one sack on Sunday. https://t.co/mFRFsgTVQz
— Stephen Serda (@StephenSerda) January 27, 2023
The “Burrowhead Stadium” references getting under the skin of Jones and the Chiefs is understandable. That said, the trash talk comes from a factual place.
Sunday will mark Kansas City’s fifth consecutive AFC Championship Game appearance, with all five games being played at Arrowhead. Over the previous four years, the Chiefs won a Super Bowl and went to another. So, they’ve been the best team in the NFL and certainly the AFC since Patrick Mahomes became the starting quarterback in 2018. Against Cincinnati, it’s been a different story.
Mahomes has a 1-3 career record against the Bengals and is 0-3 against the Burrow-led Bengals. That includes a 27-24 overtime win over the Chiefs in last season’s AFC Championship Game in Kansas City and another 27-24 win over the Chiefs this year in Cincinnati. So, Kansas City has a lot to prove. And if the Bengals do continue their dominance over the Chiefs, don’t expect the “Burrowhead” references to go away any time soon.
[Dov Kleiman on Twitter]
