The Cincinnati Bengals couldn’t replicate their success last season.
They were one game away from making it to back-to-back Super Bowls, but the Kansas City Chiefs got back at them in high fashion.
However, Bengals star Tyler Boyd believes things would’ve been different if he had been able to finish the game.
Agree with Tyler Boyd? pic.twitter.com/4X7CpOXpAa
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) May 31, 2023
Recently, the slot WR went as far as to say that they would’ve won the game if he were healthy, obviously prompting plenty of mixed reactions on social media.
Chiefs lost their receiver corps and key defensive players that game, and Mahomes was on one leg
— Jeff (@Jeff41755954) May 31, 2023
No not even close 😂😂
— Adam Q10 (@AdamQuraishi1) May 31, 2023
Yeah, Boyd not finishing was the reason they didn’t beat Mahomes on one leg with JuJu, Toney and Hardman also leaving that game 😂
— Adam Zook (@adamzook) May 31, 2023
Ohh nooo too bad someone’s wittle thigh had a bruise on it. Couldn’t go 80 percent.
— AP (@KansasCity_AP) May 31, 2023
By that logic if the Chiefs, has Toney, Juju, Hardman, and Mahomes with two good ankles it would not have even been close. Try again bud, you’re the #3 WR on your team.
— Chris Johnson (@ChrisJo56881848) May 31, 2023
Boyd left the game early in the second quarter with a deep thigh bruise and wasn’t able to come back.
He had two catches for 40 yards at the time of the injury, so he was poised for a big game if he had kept that same projection throughout the whole contest.
Needless to say, losing Boyd was a major blow for Zac Taylor’s offense, as it allowed the Chiefs’ defense to double-team Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins early and often.
Then again, Patrick Mahomes did put on a show, and that had absolutely nothing to do with Boyd being hurt or not.
Boyd is obviously a major factor in the Bengals offense, and a significantly better player than any other potential slot receiver they have on their roster right now; no one can deny that.
But there was only so much they could do against Mahomes and Andy Reid, and this rivalry will continue to be one of the most entertaining to watch in the league for years to come.
NEXT: Tyler Boyd Makes Bold Claim About Last Year's AFC Title Game
