The rivalry between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs keeps getting amplified in the wake of the season ending.
At one point, Joe Burrow’s name came up after the Chiefs won the Super Bowl. And after that game, Chiefs defensive tackle Khalen Saunders didn’t have much nice to say while chatting about how doubted his team was.
“Man, I remember being doubted,” Saunders said, according to Aaron Ladd of KSHB 41 News. “I remember being doubted every game. I remember being picked against every game. I remember them saying the funky-a** Bengals was gonna beat us four times. I remember them saying we couldn’t stop Jalen Hurts. I remember all of that s***. And now, they’re gonna remember that I’m a two-time champ.”
The whole “Chiefs were doubted” thing went a little overboard by a preseason favorite that ripped off 14 wins, but it’s standard-fare motivation-seeking by pro athletes and not unlike what the Bengals did at times this year.
Still, Sanders’ shot here and the rest of the chirping coming from the Kansas City side speaks to what an intense rivalry this suddenly is in the AFC. And luckily for all involved — fans included — the two teams will play again next year, potentially in the season opener.
#Chiefs Khalen Saunders: "I remember them saying the funky ass Bengals was going to beat us four times…I remember them saying we couldn't stop Jalen Hurts…" @kshb pic.twitter.com/K4NBFFpEQl
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladd0) February 13, 2023
