The Chiefs have churned yards out against the Bengals, but Pacheco’s acceleration and long speed may give them a chance to create explosive plays out of the run game this time around.

Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports In the Week 13 matchup, the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator overcorrected his mistake of leaving his cornerbacks on islands with Bengals’ receivers last season, playing a lot of soft zone coverage and forcing underneath passes.

Those same players can have that mindset in the passing game, by attacking routes and closing down, throwing lanes over the middle to tight end Hayden Hurst and slot receiver Tyler Boyd.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports One of the biggest X-factors in this game is wide receiver Kadarius Toney, who missed the Week 13 matchup due to injury.

His ability to make plays after the catch is exactly what Mahomes needs to lean on when Cincinnati’s coverage muddies up the throwing lanes to tight end Travis Kelce and other primary targets.

Even in the traditional pass game, wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster should have a mismatch on either side of the field: rookie cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt and Eli Apple play the perimeter.