Quote:
Originally Posted by DRM08
McNabb had a very strong defense backing him, which is not the case with Mahomes. Check out these seasons:
2000 - Eagles were 4th in Scoring Defense
2001 - Eagles were 2nd in Scoring Defense
2002 - Eagles were 2nd in Scoring Defense
2003 - Eagles were 7th in Scoring Defense
2004 - Eagles were 3rd in Scoring Defense
Meanwhile Joe Burrow's defense shut down Josh Allen for 10 points. Bengals are giving up 18 points per game in the Playoffs the last 2 seasons while Mahomes' defense gives up 25 points per game in the Playoffs for his career.
Cincy's playoff defense allowing 18 ppg is similar to the #1 or #2 scoring defenses in the regular season for 2021 and 2022 seasons. In a battle of great QB's, it comes down to the defense on each side. And maybe special teams. Butker has missed 2 field goals in the 2 losses at Cincy's stadium. Cincy won those games by 3 points.
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Sometimes the numbers don't tell the whole story. The Bengals during their playoff run have played:
A bad Raiders team. The offensively punchless Titans. The Chiefs who scored 24 despite a worthless second half/OT, the Lamar less Ravens, and a Bills team that had multiple dropped passes and Allen refusing to not chuck it deep every other play.
The Chiefs have played (amongst others, not gonna do the whole list):
The Patriots with Brady, the good version of the Bills x2, the Texans when Deshaun Watson was good and dynamic.
I agree with you that whomever's defense plays the best tomorrow will probably win but I think the Bengals defense tends to be overvalued based on just the numbers alone.