Chiefs vs. Bengals NFL Week 13 injury report, odds, spread: Ja'Marr Chase, Joe Mixon trending toward playing in postseason rematch

Perhaps the Kansas City Chiefs were the AFC's best team last season as they were the conference's No. 1 seed. However, Patrick Mahomes & Co. couldn't figure out the Bengals, losing late in the regular season in Cincinnati and then suffering a big 27-24 home overtime upset – blowing a 21-3 lead – in the AFC Championship Game. The Chiefs eye payback on Sunday in Cincinnati, but the Bengals are on track to have top receiver Ja'Marr Chase and Pro Bowl tailback Joe Mixon back from injury. KC is a 2-point favorite.

Chase, the 2021 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, hasn't played since Week 7 due to a hip injury but plans to go Sunday, although he qualified that by adding he's "expecting to take some reps." Chase confirmed that he had a hairline fracture in his hip but did not tear his hip labrum. He almost played last Sunday but: "I told [head coach Zac Taylor] I didn't feel too comfortable yet. You know, wanting to give myself another week of preparation and be ready for the next game if I had a chance to."

In the 34-31 Week 17 victory over the Chiefs last year, Chase had 11 receptions for an NFL rookie record 266 yards and three scores. In the AFC title game, he had six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown.

As for Mixon, he missed Week 12 with a concussion and apparently is still in the protocol but is set to practice Wednesday, which obviously bodes well for his chances. In Mixon's last fully healthy game on Nov. 6 vs. Carolina, he rushed for 153 yards and four scores and caught a TD pass. The five total TDs were a franchise record.

There could be history made Sunday if the Bengals pull off another upset, as Joe Burrow would become the first quarterback to beat Mahomes three straight times. The only signal-caller with even three overall wins vs. Mahomes is Tom Brady (3-3). Mahomes is 0-2 in his career vs. Burrow with at least a 14-point lead and 44-2 vs. all others.

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