The biggest injury question mark hanging over NFL conference championship games concerns the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and the sprained ankle he suffered in the 27-20 win over the team against the Jaguars.
Mahomes’ injury helped influence a major change in the odds for the Chiefs’ AFC Championship rematch against the Bengals, with Kansas City listed as the underdog – up to 2.5 points on multiple sportsbooks, including FOX Bet . (The line has since returned to the Bengals -1 on Wednesday afternoon.)
[Bengals-Chiefs fate rests upon Patrick Mahomes’ injured ankle]
The odds could continue to shift, as the presumptive 2022 NFL MVP trained alongside the rest of his team on Wednesday. Just before taking the field, Mahomes, who was not spotted in a walking boot, doubled down on his wish to play Sunday against Cincinnati.
“I’m fine. AFC Championship week, ready to go,” Mahomes said. “[The ankle’s] do well. I had a few days of treatment, a few days of rehabilitation. I can’t wait to get out on the training ground and test it out and see where I’m at, but I feel good so far.”
Mahomes was injured last weekend against Jacksonville late in the first quarter when linebacker Arden Key fell on his right leg as he attempted to sack the star quarterback. Substitute Chad Henne played the entire second quarter, leading a 98-yard touchdown before Mahomes returned after halftime and closed the game with a noticeable limp.
Mahomes and the Chiefs will be looking for their first win over the Bengals since Joe Burrow arrived in Cincinnati as the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Bengals have won three straight meetings in the series, each by three points. That includes Week 13 in Cincinnati, as well as last year’s AFC Championship game in Kansas City, when the Bengals rallied from an 18-point deficit to win 27-24 in overtime.
Sunday’s winner will again qualify for the Super Bowl, which will be played Feb. 12 and will air on FOX and the FOX Sports app.
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