It was January 2022 when Brian and Nyomi Brooks talked of an unlikely matchup: His Kansas City Chiefs versus her Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship. "Last time, I'm the fiance," Nyomi Brooks said as she laughed, "Now, I'm the wife." Now, nearly a year later, the couple find themselves in the same spot with the same teams vying for a shot at Super Bowl LVII.

BetOnline data shows that the Bengals are backed by 23 states and the Chiefs by 19, while only six show support for the Eagles and two for the 49ers. But for the Brooks family, the competition is much more personal and friendship is tested as the couple declares a temporal silent treatment.

"When the clock hit zero, I was screaming, jumping up and down," Nyomi said of the last time the Bengals won. Despite all the pressure from her new in-laws, Nyomi's team spirit still remained. For Brian, the situation was dire, but in the end, he remained a good sport. "I went into like, super stealth husband mode," he said. "I put my feelings to the side and let her enjoy her experience."

Now, with the clock ticking, the gloves are off as the two teams face off with a trip to the Big Game on the line. Chief's linebacker Nick Bolton notes that the legendary rivalry is more about putting on for the fans and teammate "We got to out there play fast, play physical and have fun," he said. As the Brooks family awaits, it's less about exorcising demons and more about executing in this battle of family loyalty, and for one couple, the stakes have never been higher.