Final2021 Week 17

Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

Kansas City Chiefs vs Cincinnati Bengals, Week 17 2021

Kansas City Chiefs

Away

31

Cincinnati Bengals

HomeWon

34

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Chiefs14140331
Bengals71071034

KC 31CIN 34 Final

  • Passing leader

    Joe Burrow

    CIN · QB

    34.8PPR pts

    30/39, 446 YDS, 4 TD

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Ja'Marr Chase

    CIN · WR

    55.6PPR pts

    11 REC, 266 YDS, 3 TD

  • Chiefs leader

    Darrel Williams

    KC · RB

    25.7PPR pts

    14 ATT, 88 YDS, 2 TD, 3 REC, 19 REC YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    Chris Jones

    KC

    2 SACK, 4 TKL

Bengals 34, Chiefs 31: Cincinnati rallies from 11 down at halftime

Cincinnati erased a 28–17 halftime deficit, outscoring Kansas City 17–3 after the break to win 34–31. The Bengals finished with a 475–414 edge in total offense and averaged 7.5 yards per play.

The Chiefs went 6-for-11 on third down, while the Bengals finished without a giveaway.

The two teams meet again in Week 14 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +0.4 yards/play CIN 7.5 · KC 7.1
  • +61 total yards CIN 475 · KC 414

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Chief or Bengal on your fantasy team?

Check their next matchup with the Start/Sit Tool, compare their value in the Fantasy Trade Calculator, or connect your league for personalized advice in Redraft Command.

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Why the Bengals Won

Cincinnati won the efficiency battle.

Team stats comparison, Chiefs vs Bengals
ChiefsStatBengals
7.1Yards per play7.5
414Total yards475
Other team stats
58Plays63
0Turnovers0
55%Third-down conversion40%
30:54Time of possession29:06

Scoring Summary

The Bengals scored four touchdowns and two field goals; the Chiefs scored four touchdowns and one field goal.

Scoring plays, Chiefs vs Bengals
TimeTeamPlayKCCIN
1st quarter
9:21KCPatrick Mahomes → Demarcus Robinson, 29-yard TD Takes leadHarrison Butker XP70
2:50KCPatrick Mahomes → Travis Kelce, 3-yard TD Extends leadHarrison Butker XP140
2:01CINJoe Burrow → Ja'Marr Chase, 72-yard TDEvan McPherson XP147
2nd quarter
12:56KCDarrel Williams 1-yard TD run Extends leadHarrison Butker XP217
7:42CINJoe Burrow → Ja'Marr Chase, 18-yard TDEvan McPherson XP2114
2:18KCDarrel Williams 1-yard TD run Extends leadHarrison Butker XP2814
0:41CINEvan McPherson 46-yard FG2817
3rd quarter
13:30CINJoe Burrow → Ja'Marr Chase, 69-yard TDEvan McPherson XP2824
4th quarter
11:44CINJoe Burrow → Tyler Boyd, 5-yard TD Takes leadEvan McPherson XP2831
6:01KCHarrison Butker 34-yard FG Ties game3131
0:00CINEvan McPherson 20-yard FG Game winner3134

Fantasy Points: Chiefs vs Bengals, Week 17 2021

Fantasy leaders

  1. Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR55.6 PTSWR1
  2. Joe BurrowCINQB34.8 PTSQB1
  3. Darrel WilliamsKCRB25.7 PTSRB3
  4. Patrick MahomesKCQB20.9 PTSQB7

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Joe BurrowCINQB34.8QB130/39446405100148.0Start/Sit →
Patrick MahomesKCQB20.9QB726/35259202250113.9Start/Sit →
Brandon AllenCINQB0.0—0/100010039.6

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR55.6WR1WR———12112663Start/Sit →
Darrel WilliamsKCRB25.7RB3RB1488233190
Joe MixonCINRB15.6RB21RB1246087400
Tyler BoydCINWR13.6WR28WR———64361
Travis KelceKCTE13.4TE5TE1-1075251Start/Sit →
Demarcus RobinsonKCWR11.3WR37WR———22331
Tyreek HillKCWR10.2WR44WR120106400
Tee HigginsCINWR9.2WR45WR———53620Start/Sit →
C.J. UzomahCINTE7.2TE17TE———64320
Blake BellKCTE6.7TE20TE12033350
Byron PringleKCWR6.5WR60WR———43350
Mecole HardmanKCWR6.3WR61WR———11530
Derrick GoreKCRB5.5RB43RB33701180
Samaje PerineCINRB2.4RB62RB14011100Start/Sit →
Noah GrayKCTE1.6TE47TE———1160Start/Sit →
Josh GordonKCWR1.5WR105WR———1150
Marcus KempKCWR0.0—WR———1000

Fantasy Usage

Kansas City Chiefs

Snap Share

  1. Tyreek HillWR52 snaps85%
  2. Darrel WilliamsRB49 snaps80%
  3. Travis KelceTE48 snaps79%
  4. Demarcus RobinsonWR39 snaps64%
  5. Byron PringleWR29 snaps48%

Target Share34 targets

  1. Tyreek Hill29%, 10 targets
  2. Travis Kelce21%, 7 targets
  3. Byron Pringle12%, 4 targets
  4. Blake Bell9%, 3 targets
  5. Darrel Williams9%, 3 targets
  6. Other21%, 7 targets

Carry Share22 carries

  1. Darrel Williams64%, 14 carries
  2. Derrick Gore14%, 3 carries
  3. Patrick Mahomes9%, 2 carries
  4. Travis Kelce5%, 1 carries
  5. Blake Bell5%, 1 carries
  6. Other5%, 1 carries

Cincinnati Bengals

Snap Share

  1. Ja'Marr ChaseWR64 snaps91%
  2. C.J. UzomahTE63 snaps90%
  3. Tee HigginsWR58 snaps83%
  4. Tyler BoydWR54 snaps77%
  5. Joe MixonRB50 snaps71%

Target Share38 targets

  1. Ja'Marr Chase32%, 12 targets
  2. Joe Mixon21%, 8 targets
  3. C.J. Uzomah16%, 6 targets
  4. Tyler Boyd16%, 6 targets
  5. Tee Higgins13%, 5 targets
  6. Other3%, 1 targets

Carry Share19 carries

  1. Joe Mixon63%, 12 carries
  2. Joe Burrow26%, 5 carries
  3. Brandon Allen5%, 1 carries
  4. Samaje Perine5%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR6491%1232%0
C.J. UzomahCINTE6390%616%0
Tyreek HillKCWR5285%1029%1
Tee HigginsCINWR5883%513%0
Darrel WilliamsKCRB4980%39%14
Travis KelceKCTE4879%721%1
Tyler BoydCINWR5477%616%0
Joe MixonCINRB5071%821%12
Demarcus RobinsonKCWR3964%26%0
Byron PringleKCWR2948%412%0
Blake BellKCTE2439%39%1
Drew SampleCINTE2333%00%0
Mecole HardmanKCWR1931%13%0
Samaje PerineCINRB2029%13%1
Josh GordonKCWR1220%13%0
Noah GrayKCTE1016%13%0
Derrick GoreKCRB813%13%3
Stanley MorganCINWR710%00%0
Jerick McKinnonKCRB58%00%0
Marcus KempKCWR35%13%0
Chris EvansCINRB23%00%0
Mitchell WilcoxCINTE11%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+35.4Ja'Marr Chase55.6 PTS vs 20.2 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−7.3Tyreek Hill10.2 PTS vs 17.5 xFP
  • Highest expected volume21.2 xFPJoe Mixon15.6 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Joe MixonCIN · RB15.621.2−5.671%63% car—01263%821%
Joe BurrowCIN · QB34.820.4+14.497%39 att—39526%00%
Ja'Marr ChaseCIN · WR55.620.2+35.491%32% tgt—000%1232%
Tyreek HillKC · WR10.217.5−7.385%29% tgt—014%1029%
Patrick MahomesKC · QB20.916.7+4.2100%35 att—3529%00%
Darrel WilliamsKC · RB25.714.0+11.780%61% car—01461%39%
Travis KelceKC · TE13.412.4+1.079%21% tgt—014%721%
C.J. UzomahCIN · TE7.210.1−2.990%16% tgt—000%616%
Tyler BoydCIN · WR13.610.1+3.577%16% tgt—000%616%
Tee HigginsCIN · WR9.28.4+0.883%13% tgt—000%513%
Byron PringleKC · WR6.56.7−0.248%12% tgt—000%412%
Blake BellKC · TE6.75.7+1.039%9% tgt—014%39%
Derrick GoreKC · RB5.53.6+1.913%13% car—0313%13%
Demarcus RobinsonKC · WR11.33.4+7.964%6% tgt—000%26%
Samaje PerineCIN · RB2.42.3+0.129%5% car—015%13%
Josh GordonKC · WR1.51.7−0.220%3% tgt—000%13%
Marcus KempKC · WR0.01.7−1.75%3% tgt—000%13%
Mecole Hardman Jr.KC · WR6.31.7+4.631%3% tgt—000%13%
Noah GrayKC · TE1.61.7−0.116%3% tgt—000%13%
Brandon AllenCIN · QB0.01.1−1.13%1 att—115%00%
Michael BurtonKC · RB0.20.6−0.4—4% car—014%00%

Team totals: Chiefs 34 targets and 23 carries; Bengals 38 targets and 19 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Patrick Mahomes

KC · QB · 20.9 pts on 16.7 expected

26 of 35 passing for 259 yards, 2 touchdowns; 2 carries for 25 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 16.7 expected.

Start/Sit: Patrick Mahomes →

Joe Burrow Ran hot

CIN · QB · 34.8 pts on 20.4 expected

30 of 39 passing for 446 yards, 4 touchdowns; 5 carries for 10 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 20.4 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Joe Burrow →

Tyreek Hill Unlucky

KC · WR · 10.2 pts on 17.5 expected

10 targets (29% of the team's), 6 catches for 40 yards; 1 carry (4% of the team's) for 2 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 17.5 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Darrel Williams Ran hot

KC · RB · 25.7 pts on 14.0 expected

3 targets (9% of the team's), 3 catches for 19 yards; 14 carries (61% of the team's) for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 14.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Joe Mixon Volume, no payoff

CIN · RB · 15.6 pts on 21.2 expected

8 targets (21% of the team's), 7 catches for 40 yards; 12 carries (63% of the team's) for 46 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 21.2 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Ja'Marr Chase Ran hot

CIN · WR · 55.6 pts on 20.2 expected

12 targets (32% of the team's), 11 catches for 266 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 20.2 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Ja'Marr Chase →

Demarcus Robinson Ran hot

KC · WR · 11.3 pts on 3.4 expected

2 targets (6% of the team's), 2 catches for 33 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 3.4 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Mecole Hardman Jr.

KC · WR · 6.3 pts on 1.7 expected

1 target (3% of the team's), 1 catch for 53 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 1.7 expected.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Stock up: Darrel Williams played 80% of the snaps, up from a 45% season average.
  • Stock down: Mecole Hardman Jr. played 31% of the snaps, down from a 51% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Chiefs defense and Bengals defense
Points allowed toChiefs DBengals D
QBs20.216.0
RBs23.624.5
WRs31.131.7
TEs12.314.7

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Cincinnati opened at 40% win probability, fell as low as 5%, then rallied to win.

Bengals win probability

Bengals win probability by game minuteBengals started at 40%, stood at 9% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 11 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −19Mahomes → Robinson, 29-yd TD40% → 21%Q1 9:21
  2. +18Burrow → Chase, 69-yd TD9% → 27%Q3 13:30
  3. +43Burrow → Boyd, 5-yd TD22% → 65%Q4 11:44
  4. −26Butker 34-yd FG73% → 47%Q4 6:01
  5. +50McPherson 20-yd FG50% → >99%Q4 0:00

Swing in Bengals win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Chiefs vs Bengals
Kansas City ChiefsMeasureCincinnati Bengals
58Plays63
60%Pass rate70%
7.4Yds / dropback9.4
6.7Yds / carry3.2
6/11Third downs4/10

Efficiency edge Cincinnati ran 5 more plays and gained 2.0 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • KC Hill 29% · Kelce 21% · Pringle 12%
  • CIN Chase 32% · Mixon 21% · Uzomah 16%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Chiefs vs Bengals
ResultKCCIN
Touchdowns44
Field goals12
Punts33
Turnovers00
  • The Chiefs opened the scoring on their second possession, a 5-play, 72-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Bengals drained the clock with three second-half drives of four to seven minutes.
All 18 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
KCQ1 15:00391:34Punt
CINQ1 13:26391:27Punt
KCQ1 11:595722:38Touchdown
CINQ1 9:214162:41Punt
KCQ1 6:407633:50Touchdown
CINQ1 2:502750:49Touchdown
KCQ1 2:019754:05Touchdown
CINQ2 12:569755:14Touchdown
KCQ2 7:429735:24Touchdown
CINQ2 2:1811471:37Field goal
KCQ2 0:413220:41End of half
CINQ3 15:003751:30Touchdown
KCQ3 13:306263:00Punt
CINQ3 10:3010315:20Punt
KCQ3 5:106343:59Punt
CINQ3 1:118864:27Touchdown
KCQ4 11:4411525:43Field goal
CINQ4 6:0115746:01Field goal
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Chiefs vs Bengals Head-to-Head

The Chiefs and Bengals first met in 1968 and have played 35 times since.

All-time series
18–17Bengals lead, 35 meetings since 1968
Postseason
1–1Chiefs won in 2022; Bengals won in 2021
Largest Chiefs win
45–102018
Largest Bengals win
33–61974

Since 2021

3–3 Series tied

6 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. C = Chiefs win, B = Bengals win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 14 Chiefs at Bengals Upcoming

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Chiefs vs Bengals
ChiefsStatBengals
12-5Record10-7
28.2Points per game27.1
396.8Yards per game361.5
5.9Yards per play5.9
21.4Points allowed per game22.1
368.9Yards allowed per game350.8

Chiefs vs Bengals Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
KC −3.5Chiefs failed to cover by 6.5
Total
51Over: 65 points scored (by 14)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Chiefs27.331+3.8
Bengals23.834+10.3

Both offenses beat the market's expectation, and the Fantasy tab shows who cashed in.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Kansas City Chiefs

Against the spread
8–8
Over/under
9–7
ATS as favorite
8–8
ATS on the road
4–3

Cincinnati Bengals

Against the spread
9–7
Over/under
8–7–1
ATS as favorite
4–4
ATS as underdog
5–3
ATS at home
4–5

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Chiefs vs Bengals Fantasy Outlook for 2026

One meeting is left on the 2026 schedule: Week 14 in Cincinnati. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Chiefs vs Bengals Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Chiefs vs Bengals Week 17 game?

The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Kansas City Chiefs 34–31 in Week 17 of the 2021 season. The game was played at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH, on January 2, 2022. See the Bengals' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Chiefs vs Bengals?

The final score was Bengals 34, Chiefs 31. The Chiefs led 28–17 at halftime, and the second half went Chiefs 3, Bengals 17.

What happened in the Chiefs vs Bengals game?

Cincinnati erased a 28–17 halftime deficit, outscoring Kansas City 17–3 after the break to win 34–31. The Bengals finished with a 475–414 edge in total offense and averaged 7.5 yards per play. Ja'Marr Chase led all players with 11 catches for 266 yards and 3 touchdowns.

What was the game-winning score in Chiefs vs Bengals?

Evan McPherson's 20-yard field goal with 0:00 left in the fourth quarter gave the Bengals a 34–31 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Chiefs vs Bengals?

Ja'Marr Chase led the game with 55.6 PPR fantasy points, the WR1 of Week 17, on 11 catches for 266 yards and 3 touchdowns. Joe Burrow was next with 34.8 (QB1). See Ja'Marr Chase's 2021 game log.

Who led Chiefs vs Bengals in passing, rushing and receiving?

Joe Burrow (CIN) led all passers with 30 of 39 for 446 yards and 4 touchdowns. Darrel Williams (KC) led in rushing with 14 carries for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ja'Marr Chase (CIN) led in receiving with 11 catches for 266 yards and 3 touchdowns.

How many fantasy points did Ja'Marr Chase score against the Chiefs?

Ja'Marr Chase scored 55.6 points in PPR leagues, 50.1 in half-PPR and 44.6 in standard scoring against the Chiefs in Week 17 of the 2021 season, on 11 catches for 266 yards and 3 touchdowns. He drew 32% of his team's targets.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Chiefs vs Bengals?

Ja'Marr Chase outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 55.6 PPR points on 20.2 xFP (+35.4). Tyreek Hill fell furthest short, with 10.2 points on 17.5 xFP (−7.3). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Bengals come back to beat the Chiefs?

The Bengals' chances of winning fell as low as 5% in the first half. Evan McPherson's 20-yard field goal in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game. Evan McPherson's 20-yard field goal then put them ahead for good.

What is the all-time Chiefs vs Bengals record?

The Bengals lead the all-time series 18–17 across 35 meetings since 1968, including a 1–1 record in the postseason.

When did the Chiefs and Bengals last play before this game?

Before Week 17 of 2021, they last met in the 2018 season on October 21, 2018, when the Chiefs beat the Bengals 45–10.

Have the Chiefs and Bengals met in the playoffs?

Yes, 2 times, most recently in the 2022 playoffs. The Chiefs are 1–1 against the Bengals in the postseason.

What was the closing spread for Chiefs vs Bengals?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Chiefs −3.5, making the Kansas City Chiefs 3.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 51. That implied about 27.3 points for the Chiefs and 23.8 for the Bengals.

Did Chiefs vs Bengals go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 51, and the teams combined for 65 points, 14 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Chiefs vs Bengals?

The Bengals covered as 3.5-point underdogs against the closing line of Chiefs −3.5. The final margin was 3 points.