Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid hit on several different topics while speaking to the media on Friday — one of which was the spirited rivalry with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The rivalry has become one of the most personal and entertaining in the NFL over the last couple of years. Asked about the hype surrounding their matchup on Sunday, Reid pointed to the history and success of both teams.

“(It’s) two good football teams playing each other – there’s a history, we’ve played each other here now however many times over the last couple of years, so there is that history.”

When asked if he talked to the team about avoiding trash talk, Reid didn’t seem too worried, even with Ja’Marr Chase’s recent comments.
“I don’t get into all of that, I don’t know,” Reid said. “I’ve got small ears and let’s go play.”

Both the Chiefs and Bengals are having some unexpected struggles this season, and because of that, the Week 17 matchup has a lot at stake. Kansas City needs either a win or a Las Vegas Raiders & Denver Broncos loss to lock up their eighth-straight AFC West division title. They also need to win to keep pace at having a shot at the No. 2 seed in the AFC.

Cincinnati is currently on the outside looking in as the No. 9 seed but can still sneak in with a little help. They also need to win their final two games, making this one a big deal for a team that’s trying to get back to the Super Bowl.

With the Chiefs’ offense sputtering late in the season, plenty of attention has turned to Bengals’ defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo in Week 17. Anarumo has given Kansas City plenty of fits over the last couple of years, even when their offense was at its height.

“That’s an enjoyable part from the coaching standpoint,” Reid said. “He’s (Anarumo) a really good defensive coordinator. He has a great scheme, and he’s a good adjuster. You have to work within that and stay on top of that part.”