The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Cincinnati Bengals within the AFC Championship Game, 23-20, and this matchup actually lived as much as the hype. Patrick Mahomes bought his first win over Joe Burrow, Marquez Valdes-Scantling exploded for 116 yards and a landing, and Harrison Butker transformed a game-winning 45-yard area aim. The fourth quarter was nothing in need of a fever dream, which ended with an unlucky penalty when you’re a Bengals fan.
On the primary play within the closing stanza, Burrow discovered Ja’Marr Chase in double protection on fourth-and-6, leading to a 35-yard pickup that arrange a Samaje Perine landing that tied the sport at 20 apiece.
When the Chiefs took over moments later, they have been gifted one other probability at a third-and-9 after the officers recognized a clock situation — though they did so very late. When the Bengals protection stood tall for the second-straight third down with a sack on Mahomes, the Chiefs have been bailed out by a holding penalty within the secondary! The first down that got here from the penalty was the ultimate first down Kansas City picked up on the possession, nevertheless, because the Chiefs punted 4 performs later.
With 9:18 remaining within the recreation, Burrow and Co. had a possibility to take the lead. Instead, Chiefs rookie Bryan Cook made a fantastic play within the secondary, tipping a move as much as teammate and fellow rookie Joshua Williams, who picked it off.
The Chiefs didn’t profit from this chance although, as they punted after selecting up 49 yards on seven performs, electing as well the ball away from the Bengals’ 37-yard line.
The Bengals then took over with 2:30 remaining within the fourth quarter, and their drive bought off to a tough begin. Burrow was referred to as for intentional grounding, however overcame the following third-and-16 with a 23-yard completion to Hayden Hurst.
Chris Jones then single-handedly put a cease to the Bengals’ drive with a sack on third-and-8, setting the Chiefs up with a possibility to orchestrate a game-winning drive. Here is the place issues bought actually loopy.
Chiefs rookie wideout Skyy Moore took the Bengals punt 29 yards to the Kansas City 47-yard line with 30 seconds remaining, giving Mahomes a shot to win the sport.
Three performs into the drive, on third-and-4, Mahomes scrambled to the precise on his unhealthy ankle and reached for the sticks. He additionally picked up an additional 15 yards after Joseph Ossai made the essential mistake of pushing him late out of bounds, leading to an pointless roughness penalty.
That turned what would have been a couple of 60-yard area aim right into a 45-yard area aim, which Butker hit with simply three seconds remaining.
It was a basic ending to a budding rivalry between Mahomes and Burrow. All 4 of their matchups have been determined by precisely three factors! One 12 months after the Bengals dashed the Chiefs’ Super Bowl desires in Arrowhead within the AFC Championship recreation, Andy Reid bought his revenge. It got here right down to a wild fourth quarter full of flags, large performs and significant errors that mixed to ship one whale of a championship recreation.
