The Cincinnati Bengals came away with a shocking win over the top-seeded Tennessee Titans in the AFC Divisional Round. Joe Burrow will now face off against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, and the Bengals will need an X-Factor to step up and help them pull off another upset.

The Bengals have shocked the world by making it this far in only Burrow's second season. While they weren't expected to be here, it won't be a cakewalk for the Chiefs to beat them.

For more insight on the Bengals' AFC Championship matchup against the Chiefs, listen below:

Ja'Marr Chase had a phenomenal game against the Titans, making big plays. He had five receptions for 109 yards, including a 57-yard catch. He has been the X-Factor along with Burrow all season long, and many would expect him to be in the same role this week.

However, Chase has been so reliable that Cincinnati needs another player to step up for the team. Burrow and Chase have quickly emerged as one of the best QB-WR duos in the league.

This season, Burrow threw for 4,611 yards along with 34 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Chase was his main target, catching 81 passes for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns. Their chemistry from LSU has transferred over to the NFL as defenses have yet to find an answer.

Burrow and Chase will likely have their way with the Chiefs, just like they did in a Week 17 victory. Burrow threw for 446 yards and four scores, with 266 yards and three of those touchdowns going to Chase. To beat the Chiefs again, this time at Arrowhead Stadium, the Bengals stars will need more help.

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Bengals X-Factor vs. Chiefs in AFC Championship Game

Joe Mixon

Joe Mixon is a dynamic running back who will need to be the X-Factor for the Bengals against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. The Buffalo Bills fell short of defeating Kansas City in the Divisional Round, as neither offense could be stopped. It was a 42-36 win with a passing clinic.

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If the Bengals want to win this game, they will need to have a more balanced attack. Establishing the run will not only open up the passing game for Burrow but limit the time Mahomes is on the field.

In their regular-season matchup, the Bengals defeated the Chiefs, 34-31. Mixon had 12 carries for 46 yards and zero touchdowns in the contest. He also had seven receptions for 40 yards, but the run game will be more vital. Mixon's play could determine the outcome of the game.

This season, Mixon rushed for 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also had 314 receptions and three touchdowns. The Bengals have relied on the passing attack, but throwing in the run game will be beneficial on many levels.

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Mahomes is one of the best players in the NFL, and keeping the ball out of his hands will be crucial. Against the Bills, he threw for 378 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also made plays in the run game, rushing seven times for 69 yards and a touchdown.

The Bills competed with them in a shootout but came up short. The Bengals need to come up with a different game plan to counteract Mahomes and the Kansas City offense better than Buffalo did.

It will be a tall task for Cincinnati, but this squad has the talent to make it to the Super Bowl. This game will all come down to execution, utilizing the run game, and getting stops on defense. The offense has the capability to put points on the board, but controlling the pace of the game would go a long way.

Burrow and Chase are primed to have another dominant performance. They have been a near unstoppable duo, and if Mixon has a good game, the Bengals could be heading to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1989..