Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt has responded publicly to Travis Kelce’s fiery comments about the final week of the NFL regular season, adding fuel to the budding rivalry between the Kansas City Chiefs and Bengals.
The Bengals entered Week 18 needing a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, a New York Jets victory against the Miami Dolphins, and a Kansas City Chiefs triumph over the Denver Broncos to secure a playoff berth. While Cincinnati handled its business on the road and the Jets came through with a win, the Chiefs, who had already locked up the AFC’s No. 1 seed, rested most of their starters and fell to the Broncos in a stunning 38-0 blowout.
Bengals fans were left frustrated, believing Kansas City’s decision to rest its starters played a direct role in keeping their team out of the postseason. The frustration grew louder when Kelce, the Chiefs’ star tight end, addressed the situation on his New Heights podcast.
“I ain’t scared of f**king nobody,” Kelce said in response to criticism. “I wanted [the Bengals] in the playoffs. I wanted to face them. Bring it on.”
Taylor-Britt didn’t hold back in his retort, taking to social media to call out Kelce. “Cap, shut that s**t up,” the cornerback posted, accompanied by a crying emoji and a laughing-while-crying emoji.
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Bengals’ Heartbreaking Close Call
Cincinnati finished the season on a five-game winning streak and showcased one of the NFL’s most potent offenses. However, their slow start to the season proved costly. Despite their strong finish, missing out on the playoffs stung deeply, particularly with the Chiefs seemingly holding their postseason fate in their hands.
Had the Chiefs defeated Denver, Cincinnati would have earned the final AFC playoff spot, setting up a Wild Card showdown against the Buffalo Bills.
Many analysts believed the Bengals could have been a dark horse contender capable of making a deep playoff run, potentially even meeting Kansas City in the Divisional Round. The Bengals, led by Joe Burrow and a stifling defense anchored by Taylor-Britt, would have posed a formidable challenge to any opponent.
Chiefs’ Strategic Rest Decision
With their No. 1 seed secured, the Chiefs prioritized player health and rested key starters, including Patrick Mahomes and Kelce, against the Broncos.
This decision angered Bengals fans who hoped Kansas City would give a full effort to knock Denver out of postseason contention. However, the Chiefs were well within their rights to focus on their own playoff aspirations, a strategy often employed by top-seeded teams.
A Rivalry Renewed
The tension between the Chiefs and Bengals has only grown over the years. The two teams have clashed in pivotal playoff games, with Cincinnati defeating Kansas City in the 2022 AFC Championship Game and the Chiefs getting revenge in the same game a year later en route to their second straight Super Bowl title.
Although the next guaranteed meeting between the two franchises isn’t slated until 2027, the animosity is palpable. Both teams feature elite rosters and are expected to remain contenders for years to come.
For Taylor-Britt and the Bengals, Kelce’s remarks and the missed playoff opportunity will likely serve as motivation heading into the 2025 season. The next time these two AFC powerhouses meet, sparks are sure to fly, and the budding rivalry will only grow more intense.
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