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While most are talking about the Philadelphia Eagles' chances against Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl 57, a choice few are thinking about the game in another way. This year's game marks one year since the Cincinnati Bengals took on the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI.
Until the AFC Championship dealt the team a bad hand, seemingly the majority of people expected Joe Burrow to be the one preparing to face the Eagles. Instead, the team will be forced to watch the game from a distance.
However, this is not a moment for the team to sulk, but rather use the game as an opportunity to boost their chances of winning the next big game against the Chiefs.
Will Patrick Mahomes win a second Super Bowl?
By the time the final whistle blows, the team will be out of tricks. Of course, they might be able to reload somewhat over the next six months, but trick plays and new formations don't grow on trees after the sport's century of existence.
As such, how the Chiefs handle themselves in the game could preview how they'll look in 2023. At the same time, the Chiefs won't be able to reload their roster to such an extreme that they'll be a new riddle to solve on offense.
When it comes to studying the Chiefs, the Bengals should be taking an academic approach to the game.
When looking at the Eagles, the team should be studying which parts of the roster are dominating and which parts are not. Depending on the final score, the team's front office could look to tweak their team to be designed to attack the Chiefs' weaknesses. One of the best scouts for how to do that will be in this game.
If the Eagles find something to exploit with their Super Bowl-level roster, the team could use that as a goal to attain with their current roster. Of course, getting a position that might be lacking for the Bengals into Super Bowl quality won't happen overnight.
However, if the team can improve, the return on investment could pay dividends when the two teams inevitably clash once again.
At this point, it is clear that Patrick Mahomes isn't going anywhere. With Joe Burrow nearly reaching two straight Super Bowls, the Bengals quarterback has many convinced that he will be a perennial threat. As such, priming one's roster for a future playoff battle is a logical move.
Presently, the Bengals have proven that they control their division. Their biggest obstacle isn't in their own backyard. Rather, it lies at a conference level, which appears to be in the shape of Patrick Mahomes.
In other words, prioritizing roster moves that don't help at the divisional level but will help in the playoffs may create trouble later down the line for the team to win in the AFC North. But it will help them win the AFC in 2023.
Will the Bengals silence Patrick Mahomes in 2023 to wrap up unfinished business in the next Super Bowl?
