Chad Johnson: The AFC North is a “wrap” if Bengals have a healthy Joe Burrow

The All Pro receiver likes where his former team is headed.

Chad Johnson and Shannon Sharpe talked Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs on their podcast, and they agreed that the Bengals can hang with the champs if they have a healthy Joe Burrow.

Here’s the exchange between Johnson, an iconic figure in Cincinnati and Ring of Honor inductee, and the Hall of Fame tight end:

Johnson: From a team perspective, offensively, we are built to beat [the Chiefs]. Why? Because we have a special quarterback ourselves in Cincinnati, one that can match up toe to toe with Patrick Mahomes. Also, in crunch time, when it matters most…

Sharpe: Mmm hmm.

Johnson: It’s two minutes on the clock and you know you need to score?

Sharpe: Yes.

Johnson: We also have a quarterback on our end that can go get it done and make the right throws at the right time…

Sharpe: (high pitched) Mmm hmm.

Johnson: … and not turn the ball over. Defensively, we’ve always had the supporting cast, we’ve always had the personnel that matches up well against them. Sometimes it’s like that. There’s always a team that has your number, right?

Sharpe: Yeah.

Johnson then acknowledged that the Bengals, though 3-1 against the Chiefs, still haven’t been able to finish the job the way that the Chiefs have but he made it clear that all of that could change this season if Burrow is kept upright.

“If we get a healthy Joe Burrow, you already know what’s going to happen. That AFC North is a wrap,” he announced along with accompanying hand gestures.

So now it’s upon the o-line and the coaches to make sure Burrow gets the protection he needs.