Redemption arcs are best achieved when you’re hot. Joe Burrow after Week 1? Not even close. He can’t expect to just flip the switch during the regular season—it’s a process that should’ve started in the preseason. But it didn’t. And the Patriots took full advantage. Easy pickings. Final score: 16-10. Now, Burrow’s one game down in his ‘comeback season’, with the Chiefs up next. It might be too soon for this Cincinnati squad and Michael Lombardi explains why.

On the Pat McAfee Show, the three-time Super Bowl winner admitted that if anyone knows how to win at Arrowhead, it’s the Bengals—did it back in 2022, winning the conference championship game there. So, what’s the issue? “They gotta fix their offensive line,” Lombardi pointed out. “This is a big game, and they need to get pressure on Patrick Mahomes.”

This team is not teaming up right now like they used to before. And Michael threw a couple of quick pointers that actually portray their O-line situation the best. His first point of concern was Joe Burrow’s absence. He was so ineffective; it didn’t matter if he was under center. Simply put, then Joe got stuck in second gear on a freeway, slowing down the whole lane behind him.

While he was good in the air with a completion rate of 72.4% over 164 yards against the Pats, what let him down was no TDs and an average of 5.4 yards per pass attempt. Not good. But JB #9 wasn’t the only one Michael took issue with in that O-line. “We’ve heard nothing about Ja’Marr Chase—not practicing, not playing. And they still don’t have Tee Higgins, which makes it a problem,” Lombardi added.

These are the top two receivers, and their absence leaves a huge hole. Ja’Marr’s still chasing that big paycheck, which he said is “pretty close.” Meanwhile, Higgins missed Thursday’s practice due to a hamstring injury. So, back to the drawing board for Zac Taylor, to pull something out of the bag before the Chiefs’ game.

In the meantime, Joe Burrow weighed in on Patrick Mahomes before the game. And let us be honest, he knew who he was talking about.

Joe Burrow wants to make it 4-1 against the Chiefs!

Ahead of the Week 2 showdown, Burrow made one thing clear: there’s no bad blood with Mahomes. Fans in Cincinnati might’ve hoped for a bit of rivalry spice, but nope—Burrow’s all about respect. “I like Patrick as a person,” he shared. “I like talking with him.” So, no hate here, just two elite QBs appreciating the grind. But hey, does mutual respect make the game any less intense? Not a chance.

Joe’s got a solid 3-1 record against the Chiefs, and you know he’s gunning for 4-1. But beating Mahomes isn’t a walk in the park, especially with Kansas City’s defense being as tricky as a fake punt. “They’ve evolved game to game,” the Bengals QB said, giving props to the Chiefs’ ever-changing defensive schemes. It’s like Spags is playing chess while everyone else is stuck in checkers.

And remember, the last time these two faced off, it was the 2022 AFC Championship, where Mahomes finally got the W over Burrow, edging out a tight 23-20 victory. That snapped Burrow’s 3-game win streak against KC, showing that even legends-in-the-making can stumble. Can Burrow bounce back this time? You know he’s got that redemption arc brewing.

But has he over-brewed it? Or has he left it just under for it to not even show any effect? There are still some serious questions that need answering. Joe Burrow can do that by dealing with one thing at a time.