Justin Reid says Chiefs’ rookies are ready for AFC title game
The Kansas City Chiefs secondary remembers fondly the type of blow they took during their match-up with Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals during the regular season. A prideful group consisting of veterans and rookies is looking to change the tune of that loss during Sunday’s AFC Championship game.
A Chiefs veteran in the secondary with plenty to say is safety Justin Reid who is focused on slowing down the Bengals’ star quarterback. Burrow threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns during their Week 13 showdown showing no hesitation to pass into tight defensive coverage.
Reid shared his thoughts on Burrow’s abilities and praised the growth of the rookies in the secondary since that game while speaking with reporters on Wednesday.
“Well, just on top of the arm talent that he has, he can make all the throws. (The) deep balls, (the) short balls, it’s just he’s also very patient,” said Reid. “He makes really good decisions with the football (and he) hardly ever turns it over. It’s really hard to get the ‘gimme’s’ that sometimes you see quarterbacks give the ball away, but with him, you really have to take it away; he’s not going to give anything to you. Like I said, (he’s) very smart with the football, (he’s) very patient, and then (he) even uses his legs at times when he needs to, too.”
The Chiefs have utilized a rookie secondary that includes Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Bryan Cook and Joshua Williams to play critical downs this season, including last week’s divisional-round victory. Reid spotlighted Watson’s game-clinching interception as one of the many reasons he’s confident in the young unit.
“We’re very confident in them; they’ve built for this,” said Reid. “We (saw) it again last week, Jaylen Watson coming up with a big-time play to ice the game for us, so they’re ready for this moment, we’re confident in them, and we’re going to go out and play.”
The Chiefs’ defense has grown together lately, with solid performances that stalled opposing offenses late in games. The rematch with the Bengals is the perfect opportunity to show the world its growth over the year.
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First injury report for Chiefs vs. Bengals, AFC Championship Game
