Cincinnati Bengals vs Kansas City Chiefs summary: score, stats, highlights | AFC Championship
The Kansas City Chiefs are headed to their third Super Bowl in the last four years after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship on Sunday night. Harrison Butker hit a game winning 45 yard field goal to seal the 23-20 win from Arrowhead Stadium.
Mahomes shakes off ankle injury
All of the talk coming into the Championship Round surrounded the status of Patrick Mahomes’ high ankle sprain he suffered last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. From the first series, the Kansas City quarterback looked mobile, but maybe not as agile as we are used to seeing him on a weekly basis. There were a few moments of discomfort throughout the game for the KC QB, but when it counted the most Mahomes took care of buisness with his legs.
It was supposed to be a matchup between two high flying teams that have grown quite familiar with each other over the last few years. The Bengals have had the Chiefs numbers in recent history, but that wasn’t the case in the AFC Title game from Arrowhead.
The high octane shootout we all expected got off to a slow start as the KC defense pressured Cincy QB Joe Burrow from the first possession onwards. They had four first half sacks, and made it difficult for the Bengals gunslinger to feel comfortable in the pocket.
Slow start for high powered offenses
Despite the defensive dominance, Mahomes and the offense struggled to punch the ball in the end zone, settling for two field goals in their opening two possessions. Cincinnati added a field goal to the score board, and it wasn’t until late in the first half that the Chiefs found the end zone for the first time. On 4th and 1, the Chiefs decided to let Mahomes make a play on a roll out and he hit Travis Kelce for a 14 yard TD to take a 13-3 lead with under four minutes to go in the second quarter.
A late Evan McPherson field goal to close the half cut the lead to a touchdown, and Bengals offense finally turned on coming out of halftime. Burrow drove the Bengals down the field and hit Tee Higgins for a 27 yard TD to tie the game up at 13-13.
Kansas City would not take too long to respond. They punched back on the next possession as Mahomes led an 11 play, 77 yard drive that ended with a 19 yard dart over the middle to Marquez Valdes-Scantling for the go ahead touchdown. After forcing Cincy into a three and out, the Chiefs were driving down field again, but Mahomes made a rare mistake when the ball slipped out of his hands on a pass to the flat and the fumble was recovered by Sam Hubbard.
Six plays later the Bengals would tie up the game with a Samaje Perine TD run from two yards out in the early stages of the fourth quarter.
Butker with the game winner
Punts from the Chiefs and the second interception of Burrow’s nights the stage for Mahomes to steal the show late in the fourth quarter. With 30 seconds left on the clock, KC took over from their 47 yard line after a fantastic punt return from Skyy Moore. Joseph Ossai helped the Kansas City cause when Mahomes went scrambling on a 3rd and 4 from around midfield, picked up the first down, and then was hit late by the Bengals defender. The penalty moved the Chiefs into field goal position and Butker drilled the game winner from 45 yards out with three seconds on the clock.
Mahomes didn’t look perfect, but on a night where he couldn’t rely on his mobility in the pocket he still went for 326 yards and three TDs on 29/43 passing, while Burrow went 26/41 with 270 yards, a TD and threw two interceptions.
The Chiefs are back in the Super Bowl for the third time in four years and are set for a showdown in the desert against the Philadelphia Eagles from Glendale, Arizona in two weeks time.
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The game winning Butker field goal was set up by a tragic mistake by Ossai who hit Mahomes out of bounds to put the Chiefs in field goal range, and the KC kicker just barley had the leg for the 45 yard field goal.
The KC defense was picked apart last year, but in the biggest game of the season they came up huge, and this Williams pick propelled the Chiefs to the win in Arrowhead on Sunday night.
Burrow and the Bengals pounced on the opportunity to draw level with a 35 yard bomb to Ja'Maar Chase to set up a Perine TD.
The Chiefs looked like they were on the verge taking control of the game after scoring their third quarter TD, but a rare Mahomes mistake gifted the Bengals new life and Cincy would make the Chiefs pay.
Mahomes showed that the ankle injury didn't affect the velocity of his passes, as he fired in this strike to Valdes-Scantling on a 19 yard TD.
McPherson's FG at the end of the 1st half set up a game tying drive to start the third quarter. Burrow hit Higgins for a 26 yard TD to draw level with the Chiefs for the first time.
Burrow looked rattled in the first half after getting knocked around in the backfield. We rarely see a bad throw from Burrow, but this one went right in the hands of Jaylen Watson.
It took almost 30 minutes to get the first touchdown on the board, but on 4th down Mahomes showed he could still move with his injured ankle and found Kelce for the 15 yard TD pass.
It was expected to be a shootout in Arrowhead, but the Chiefs defense came out and set the tone early on. KC sacked Burrow five times and never let him feel comfortable on Sunday night.
IT'S THE EAGLES AND THE CHIEFS SET FOR A SUPER BOWL SHOWDOWN IN TWO WEEKS TIME FROM ARIZONA!
Joseph Ossai is distroyed on the Bengals sideline after commiting that late hit penalty that pushed the Chiefs into FG range.
IT'S ALL OVER!!!!
The Kansas City Chiefs are headed back to the Super Bowl for third time in four years!!!
FIELD GOAL CHIEFS!!!
After the late hit, Butker comes on for the 45 yarder and drills it to send the Chiefs to the Super Bowl!!!
KC take the 23-20 lead with 3 seconds left!!!
Mahomes tucks and runs and doesn't just pick up the first down on his hobbled leg, but a late hit will push the Bengals up 15 yards into field goal range!
1st and 10 from the CIN 28 and the Chiefs will kick the field goal!
Mahomes was pressure and had his hand hit on the throw. Pass incomplete, and 3rd and 4 is upcoming from the CIN 47 with 17 seconds to go.
Mahomes looks to Pacheco out of the backfield and he gets 6 yards and KC take their last TO with 21 seconds to go.
2nd and 4 from the CIN 47.
What a return from Moore who took it 29 yards on the run back to give the Chiefs the ball at the KC 47!!!
We have 30 second left in this game!!
Jones gets another sack on Burrow, this time on the biggest play of the game and the Chiefs take their second timeout with 39 seconds on the clock!
4th and 15 after the 7 yard loss.
Burrow looking for Irwin on the left side but that was too far out infront of him.
3rd and 8 from the CIN 35 with 44 seconds on the clock.
Short out route to Hurst for 2 yards, but the clock kept running and the Bengals will have to take their second TO.
2nd and 8 from the CIN 35.
Hurst was wide open on 3rd and 16, and Burrow hit him for a 23 yard gainer to move the chains with 56 second on the clock!
1st and 10 from the CIN 33.
Burrow was pressured and he grounded the ball, and a late flag for intentional grounding will back the Bengals up.
3rd and 16 from the CIN 9.
Burrow tucked it and ran for a gain of 3 yards coming out of the Two Minute Warning.
2nd and 7 from the CIN 19.
Higgins makes the catch on the crossing pattern and he fights for a first down on a 10 yard catch and run, and that will take us to the Two Minute Warning!
1st and 10 from the CIN 16.
So here comes Joe Shiesty and the Bengals with 2:30 on the clock starting the drive from the 6 yard line.
Mahomes pitched it to McKinnon right at the line of scrimmage and that play goes for 4 yards. There was a holding call on the Chiefs, but because KC has 4th and long CIN declines.
4th and 12 from the CIN 37 and the Chiefs will punt.
Mahomes looked to tuck and run, but was brought down after getting to the line of scrimmage.
3rd and 12 from the CIN 41.
McKinnon is swallowed up in the backfield for a loss of 3 on first down.
2nd and 13 from the CIN 42.
Mahomes finds Pacheco out of the backfield and he broke through a couple tackles and picks up 16 yards down the sidleline.
1st and 10 from the CIN 39.
Mahomes' pass to Valdes-Scantling was incomplete, but Hilton was flagged for pass interference.
1st and 10 from the KC 45 after the penalty.
Mahomes stepped up in the pocket and found Kemp down the field for a 13 yard gain.
1st and 10 from the KC 29.
Mahomes with a pitch pass to Moore for a gain of 8 yards on the improved pass from the QB.
2nd and 2 from the KC 37.
Pacheco with a run up the middle and he gets 3 yards on first down.
2nd and 8 from the KC 16.
INTERCEPTION!!!
Burrow looking deep for Higgins, but Cook batted it up in the air and Williams was there to pick it out of the air for the INT!
KC take over at their 14 with under 7 to go in the game.
Burrow looking deep to Chase and the coverage was great on the post pattern.
3rd and 3 from the CIN 36.
Mixon gets the pitch and takes it to the right side for 7 yards.
2nd and 3 from the CIN 36.
Burrow showing some guts!!! He tucked it and ran, took a few hits and picked up 14 yards and a first down.
1st and 10 from the CIN 29.
Irwin with a stop route and that picks up 6 yards on first and long.
2nd and 13 from the CIN 15.
CIN get the ball back from their 18 yard line looking to take the lead for the first time today, and Burrow is rushed out of the pocket looking for Wilcox and that pass falls incomplete, but a holding call will back the Bengals up.
1st and 19 ffrom the CIN 9.
Mahomes' pass to Valdes-Scantling was well behind the WR and the Chiefs will have to punt.
4th and 9 from the KC 40.
Mahomes' pass to the right side for Kelce falls short and the Chiefs have 3rd and long again.
3rd and 9 and the Bengals take their first timeout of the half with 9:33 on the clock.
Pacheco got a yard on the first down run.
2nd and 9 from the KC 40.
That last play was blown dead before the snap and on the reset Mahomes was sacked, but a defensive holding call will extend the drive!
1st and 10 from the KC 39.
Mahomes found Kelce over the middle but the CIN linebackers were waiting and wrapped him up before the marker.
4th and 4 after the 5 yard play and the Chiefs will punt.
Ossai brought the pressure and forced Mahomes to get rid of it but the pass to McKinnon fell short.
3rd and 9 from the KC 34.
Pacheco gets a yard up the middle on the first down run.
2nd and 9 from the KC 34.
Pacheco gets it on 3rd and short, and he powers his way for a 2 yard gain and a first down.
1st and 10 fro the KC 33.
Mahomes finds Pacheco out of the backfield and he fights through a couple tackles for a gain of 7.
3rd and 1 from the KC 31.
KC take over from their 22 yard line after losing their lead, and Mahomes hits Moore on a short pass to the left for 2 yards.
2nd and 8 from the KC 24.
On 4th down, the Bengals take a chance and Burrow goes to his best set of hands, Ja'Maar Chase for 35 yards.
TOUCHDOWN BENGALS!!!
After the Mahomes fumble, the Bengals punish KC with a Perine TD run from 2 yards out to tie the game!
It's all square at 20-20 with 13:30 in the 4th quarter.
Mixon gets the pass out of the backfield and he takes it up the left side for a 4 yard gain.
2nd and Goal from the 2
On 4th down, Burrow goes deep to Chase and he skies to make the 35 yard catch to keep the drive alive!!!
HUGE PLAY to give the Bengals 1st and Goal from the KC 6.
Pass to Perine out of the back field and he is dropped by Wililmas in the backfield for a loss of 1, and that is the final play of the third quarter!
4th and 6 from the KC 41 coming out of the break.
Burrow grounded it after feeling the pressure immediatley.
3rd and 5 from the KC 40.
Burrow checks it down to Mixon and he takes it up the right sideline for 5 yards.
2nd and 5 from the KC 40.
FUMBLE!!!
Mahomes looked for a short pass to the flat, but the ball slipped out of his hands and Hubbard came up with the recovery!!!
CIN get the ball at the KC 45 in a HUGE MOMENTUM PLAY!!!
Kelce gets it over the middle and he takes past the chains for an 11 yard gain.
1st and 10 from the CIN 46.
Mahomes' pass to Moore is incomplete.
2nd and 10 form the KC 43.
After the play, Wylie is flagged for taunting so the Chiefs keep the first down, and that backed the Chiefs up 15 yards.
1st and 10 from the KC 43 after the penalty.
Mahomes finds Pacheco out of the backfield and he gets 2 yards.
3rd and 8 from the KC 33.
There was a big punt return from Moore, but a holding penalty brings the Chiefs all the way back to the KC 31 and that's a 30 yard swing on a penalty.
1st and 10 from the KC 31, and Mahomes' pass to Moore is incomplete.
Burrow rollings left and threw it down the sideline, but McDuffie with a huge tip just deflected that enough to force an incomplete pass to Higgins.
4th and 17 and the Bengals will punt.
Burrow hit Chase on a slant for a first down, but a holding call on Volson brings that play back.
3rd and 17 from the CIN 18.
Burrow was pressured and threw it away.
3rd and 7 from the CIN 28.
CIN start thier drive from the 25 and Burrow finds Chase for a short 3 yard gain on first down.
2nd and 7 from the CIN 28.
Mahomes is trooping it out on a hobbled ankle and this strike to Valdes-Scantling puts the Chiefs back on top.
TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS!!!
On 3rd and long, Mahomes knew he was going to get hit, but threw a strike down the middle for a 19 yard TD to Valdes-Scantling give the Chiefs the lead back.
KC lead 20-13 with 4:15 to go in the third quarter!
Mahomes was in the hands of Hubbard and pitched it to Pacheco, but he was ruled in the dirt for a loss of 2 yards.
3rd and 10 from the CIN 19.
Pacheco gets the stretch handoff and is tackled after a gain of 2 yards.
2nd and 8 from the CIN 17.
KC wins the challenge, and get the 1st down, but will not have another challenge after using their second of the night.
1st and 10 from the CIN 19.
Short pass to Valdes-Scantling who stretched for the first down, and the refs rule him just short of the marker.
4th and inches, but this play will be reviewed.
Mahomes felt the pressure and fell for maybe a yard, but he has to be careful with that injured ankle. Don't want to get hit too much if you're Mahomes.
3rd and 7 from the CIN 36.
McKinnon gets a yard on first down on the delayed handoff.
2nd and 9 from the CIn 28.
Mahomes checks down to Valdes-Scantling and he takes the short pass for 25 yards after getting a couple of blocks down the field.
1st and 10 from the CIN 29.
Mahomes stays in the game after coming up limping, and finds Kelce on a short pass to the left for a gain of 5 on first down.
2nd and 5 from the KC 46.
Mahomes rolls right and finds Hardman on the run for an 11 yard gain, and a first down. Harman stayed down after making the catch and Mahomes came up limping after taking a wrong step on the the roll out.
1st and 10 from the KC 40.
Taylor-Britt almost came up with the pick after jumping the Mahomes pass!
3rd and 4 from the KC 29.
So here comes Mahomes and the Chiefs after a couple of empty drives, they start this one from their 23 and Mahomes finds Kelce for 6 yards on first down.
2nd and 4 from the KC 29.
Burrow has so many options at his disposal at the WR position and Higgins has been his man tonight. Look at him go up and get this 27 yard TD!
TOUCHDOWN BENGALS!!!
Burrow goes deep to Higgins who has been his hot hand tonight, and the WR went up and grabbed it at it's highest point for a 27 yard TD catch!
We are all square at 13-13 with 9:54 to go in the third quarter.
Burrow was hit by Jones on the release and that ball for Wilcox falls incomplete.
3rd and 6 from the KC 27.
Mixon gets the pitch to the left side and gets 5 yards on first dow. Gay was slow to get up and will get some attention from the medical staff.
2nd and 5 from the KC 27.
Burrow using his legs on the QB draw and he moves the chians with an 11 yard run up the middle.
1st and 10 from the KC 31.
Perine gets it again and picks up another 2 yards.
3rd and 6 from the KC 42.
Perine gets 2 yards on the first down run.
2nd and 8 from the KC 44.
Perine moves the chains with a 7 yard run up the middle.
1st and 10 from the KC 46.
CIN take over from their 38, and Burrow finds Higgins on an out route to start the drive and picks up 9 yards.
2nd and 1 from the CIN 47
Mahomes' deep pass to Valdes-Scantling is way overthrown and the Chiefs go three and out to start the second half.
4th and 8 from the KC 23.
Mahomes in the flat to Hardman but that play loses a yard.
3rd and 8 from the KC 23.
WE ARE UNDERWAY IN THE SECOND HALF OF ACTIOIN FROM KC!!!
The Chiefs get the ball at their 21 to start the thrid quarter and Pacheco gets three yards on first down.
Rarely do we see Burrow make throws as bad as this one that was picked off by Watson, but the Bengals are still very much in this game despite their offensive struggles.
The Chiefs took a chance on 4th down, and Mahomes rewarded them with a roll out TD pass to Kelce to jump out of a 10 point lead.
Burrow was pressured all half, and was dropped 4 times for a total loss of 25 yards.
The Bengals really struggled against the Chiefs D, who sacked Burrow 4 times in the first half.
Burrow is 15/22 ffor 147 yards and an INT.
Perine has 11 yards and Mixon has 8 yards.
Boyd leads all CIN receivers with 40 yards through the air.
All the talk coming into tonight surrounded Mahomes' ankle, but he looked mobile, he looked accurate and looked unaffected by his injury.
He's 13/19 for 165 with a TD through two quarters.
The run game hasn't picked up too much, but Kelce has 55 yards and a TD on 4 carries.
FIELD GOAL BENGALS!!!
Decent drive from the Bengals who needed a score on that drive and McPherson hits the 23 yard field goal as time expires in the first half.
KC lead 13-6 after two quarters here in Arrowhead.
Burrow went to Higgins on 1st and 2nd down, but neither could be reeled in by the WR, and the Bengals settle for a FG with 4 on the clock.
Back shoulder throw to Higgins on the left sideline and he hauls it in for a 21 yard gain!
1st and Goal from the KC 5 with under 10 seconds on the clock.
Burrow finds Higgins on the slant pattern for 11 yards and a first down. CIN take their final TO with 32 seconds to go in the half.
1st and 10 from the KC 26.
Mixon moves the chains with a 3 yard carry and the Bengals take a timeout with 39 on the clock.
1st and 10 from the KC 37.
Perine out of the backfield with a catch and a gain of 4 yards.
3rd and 1 from the KC 40, and CIN take a TO with 43 on the clock.
Burrow finds Higgins for a 5 yard gain with 50 on the clock.
2nd and 5 from the KC 44.
Burrow gets 17 yards on a deep shot to Chase.
1st and 10 from the KC 49.
Burrow rolling out and threw it across his body to the middle of the field looking for Hurst. The ball was popped up and intercepted, but Cook got there early and was flagged for PI.
1st and 10 from the CIN 33.
After the Two Minute Warning, Burrow finds Hurst on a short out route and he gets out of bounds after a 6 yards gain.
3rd and 2 fro the CIN 13
Not exactly sure what Burrow saw on this pass, but Higgins had it read from the time it left his hands.
The Bengals get the ball back from the 5 yard line after the punt, and Mixon takes it 2 yards on first down.
That takes us to the Two Minute Warning with the Chiefs leading 13-3, but the Bengals have a chance to cut into that lead.
Mahomes with three straight incompletions after failing to find Moore on the crossing route.
4th and 10 from the CIN 39 and the Chiefs will punt.
Quick shot to Pacheco on the left side but he RB couldn't make the adjustment.
3rd and 10 from the CIN 39.
Mahomes throws it into the grass after feeling the pressure on first down.
2nd and 10 from the CIN 39.
INTERCEPTION!!!
Burrow lofted up a throw looking for Higgins on 3rd and short but Higgins leaps up and makes the easy INT to give the Chiefs great field position with 2:22 to go in the half.
1st and 10 KC from the CIN 39.
MIxon is stopped short of the marker after a run up the gut for 2 yards.
3rd and 2 from the CIN 31.
The Bengals need a score on this drive, and they have to run some time off the clock with 3:53 to go in the half. They start their drive from the 25 and Burrow finds Mixon with a 6 yard catch.
2nd and 4 from the CIN 31.
If there was any doubt about Mahomes' ankle, let this play put your mnd at ease. He is doing just fine.
TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS!!!
On 4th and 1, Mahomes rolls out to the right side and extend the play, waiting for Kelce to break free in the end zone and hits him for the 14 yard TD!!!
Chiefs are up 13-3 with 3:53 to go in the 2nd quarter.
Mahomes is dropped at the line of scrimmage and we have 4th down and 1 coming up from the CIN 14.
KC will take a timeout with 3:59 in the second quarter.
Mckinnon had a 4 yard run on 1st down and Hardman got 5 on 2nd down.
3rd and 1 from the CIN 14.
Mahomes going back to Valdes-Scantling for a 29 yard catch and run!
1st and 10 from the CIN 23.
Mahomes rolls out of the pocket, and his ankle is looking good, hitting Valdes-Scantling for an 11 yard pick up.
1st and 10 from the KC 48.
Mahomes looks left to Smith-Schuster and moves the chains with a 7 yard gain on the sideline.
1st and 10 from the KC 37.
The Chiefs will start their next drive from the KC 25, and Pacheco gets 5 yards on first down.
2nd and 5 from the KC 30.
FIELD GOAL BENGALS!!!
It's been a field goal affair tonight in Arrowhead, and McPherson cuts into the lead with a 30 yard field goal.
KC lead 6-3 with 8:36 to go in the first half.
Burrow taking a shot to the end zone on 3rd down looking for Hurst, but the TE couldn't come up with the grab with the DB draped all over him.
4th and 7 coming up from the KC 12.
Pass to the flat to Hurst and he takes it up the sideline for 6 yards.
3rd and 7 from the KC 12.
Jones busts up the delayed handoff and drops Mixon for a loss of 3.
2nd and 13 from the KC 18.
Deep shot over the middle and Burrow landed a rope to Boyd for a 24 yard gain.
1st nad 10 from the KC 15.
Burrow was looking for a screen pass but didn't have anything so he grounded it.
2nd and 10 fro the KC 39.
Burrow finds Boyd on a deep out route for a gain of 16 yards.
1st and 10 from the KC 39.
Burrow's check down to Perine falls incomplete.
3rd and 14 from the CIN 45.
Burrow is sacked for the fouth time tonight, this time by Karlaftis.
2nd and 14 from the CIN 45.
Bengals go with a screen pass to Wilcox and he follows his blockers for 10 yards and a first down.
1st and 10 from the CIN 49.
Perine breaks a couple tackles and takes it 5 yards for a first down.
1st and 10 from the CIN 39.
Mixon gets the pitch to the left side and gets a yard.
3rd and 1 coming up after the short gain.
CIN start their drive from the CIN 25 and finds Chase for 8 yards on frist down.
2nd and 2 from the CIN 33.
The Chiefs defense has been controlling this game so far. They have sacked Burrow three times already.
FIELD GOAL CHIEFS!!!
Butker comes on for a second time tonight, and he drills the 24 yard FG to double the KC advantage.
Chiefs lead 6-0 , and have dominated but lead by less than a TD after a quarter of play.
Kelce on the comeback and looked like he wanted to do the hook and ladder again, but kept it for a 13 yard gain and that will take us to the end of the first quarter.
4th down coming up after another Chiefs drive is cut short in the red zone.
Mahomes felt the pressure and had his hand hit on the pass which fell incomplete.
3rd and Goal from the CIN 19.
Pacheco ran it into the endzone from 9 yards out but itthe TDs coming back after a holding on Wylie.
2nd and Goal from the CIN 19.
Mahomes finds McKinnon this time on a convential pass over the middle for 13 yards.
1st and Goal from the CIN 9.
Kelce made the catch down the field and tried the hook and ladder for McKinnon who dropped the lateral, but recovered it after a 13 yard gain.
1st an 10 from the CIN 22.
McKinnon is dropped in the backfield for a loss of one after getting the handoff out of the shot gun.
2nd and 11 from the KC 35.
Hardman gets 2 yards on the run to the right side and moves the chains.
1st and 10 from the CIN 34.
Jones gets the handoff out of the shotgun and he is stopped for no gain.
3rd and 1 from the CIN 36.
Out route from Toney on the left side and he gets 9 yards on the first down throw.
2nd and 1 from the CIN 36.
Screen pass to Pacheco and he follows his blockers for 18 yards on the catch and run.
1st and 10 from the CIN 45.
KC get the ball back from the KC 33, and Mahomes goes short to Gray for 4 yards after the roll out to the right side.
2nd and 6 from the KC 37.
Jones speeds into the backfield and drops Burrow for the third time today!
4th and 24 from the CIN 24 and the Bengals will have to punt.
Burrow is dropped for a second time, this time by Gay and Clark for a 5 yard loss.
3rd and 13 from the CIN 35.
CIN get a good return on the kick and start from their 38. Mixon got a couple yards on the first down run.
2nd and 8 from the CIN 40.
FIELD GOAL CHIEFS!!!
After the long review, Butker comes on to the field for the first time tonight and sneaks the 43 yarder through on the first offensive series for KC.
Chiefs lead 3-0 with 9 minutes left in the first quarter.
Mahomes with a PERFECT pass to Toney in the end zone and the WR couldn't reel in the catch. They went to review but the call on the field stands.
4th and 5 from the CIN 25.
Pacheco stuffed at the line of scrimmage but picks up 2 yards.
3rd andn 5 from the CIN 25.
Mahomes with a short pass to Moore and that picks up 3 yards on 1st down.
2nd and 7 from the CIN 27.
Mahomes rolls out and looks for Kelce on the right side and he checks it back for a 16 yard catch and run for another 1st down.
1st and 10 from the CIN 30.
Mahomes going to the air and he checks down to Pacheco for a 16 yard smaper up the sideline for a first down.
1st and 10 from the CIN 46.
KC start their first series from the KC 36, and Pacheco picks up a short gain of two on a first down run.
2nd and 8 from the KC 38.
KC brings the blitz and Clarks breaks through for a 9 yard sack and the Bengals will have to punt on their opening series.
4th and 18 from the CIN 23.
On 3rd and 4, Burrow steps up in the pocket and tucks it for a gain of 5, but the refs bring it back after a late false start call.
3rd and 9 from the CIN 32.
Perine up the middle and pops it to the left side for a gain of 6 yards.
3rd and 4 from the CIN 34, and Sneed is slow to get up after making the tackle.
Burrow was ALMOST picked off by McDuffie looking for Chase over the middle of the field.
2nd and 10 from the CIN 31.
Burrow going to Chase over the middle for the second staright play and that goes for 9 yards and a first down.
1st and 10 form the CIN 31.
Burrow going to the air on the first play of the game, and he goes to Chase on the left side for a short gain of 3.
2nd and 7 from the CIN 22.
WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM ARROWHEAD!!!
The Bengals will get the ball to start the game after KC won the toss and elected to kick.
CIN start the first drive from the 19 yard line, and here comes Joe Burrow and the Bengals.
Tonight's odds
According to Bet365.com the Kansas City Chiefs are a two point favorite tonight in Arrowhead and the Over/Under is 48 in Arrowhead.
I’m taking the Bengals tonight. I think Cincy keeps their win streak going against a KC team that is is reliant on how mobile Patrick Mahomes will be. Cincinnati’s defense has been attacking quarterbacks over the last few weeks and if Mahomes can’t move like he’s used to, that could spell trouble for KC.
Bengals vs. Chiefs: Round 1
It almost exactly a year ago when these two teams met in the AFC Championship, and it was the Bengals who had claw back into the game after Patrick Mahomes threw three first half touchdowns to give the Chiefs a 21-3 lead in the second quarter. Burrow led the Bengals into the end zone before he half-time break and the Cincy defense took control for the rest of the game, holding Mahomes and KC to just three second half points.
A field goal pulled the Bengals with in eight points, and Burrow found Ja’maar Chase on a short TD completion to end the third quarter. A successful two point conversion catch by Trent Taylor ted the game up setting up what would be a heart pounding final quarter.
An Evan McPherson 52 yard field goal put the Bengals on top for the first time, but the Bengals defense would have to get one last hold as the Chiefs drove inside the 5 yard line with under a minute left in the fourth quarter, but ended up settling for a field goal to send the game into overtime.
Mahomes threw an interception to start the OT session, and Burrow led the Bengals down the field for a game winning Evan McPherson field goal to put Cincinnati in the Super Bowl for the first time since 1988.
How will the ankle hold up?
Patrick Mahomes suffered a high ankle sprain in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and ever since Chiefs nation has been trembling. He came back later in the game, but was not as mobile as usual. He didn’t throw a single pass from outside the pocket in the second half, and if the Chiefs gunslinger can’t do that tonight the Bengals could be able to tee off on the KC QB. Mahomes’ magic comes from his ability to scramble and create on the run. There is never a reason to doubt a healthy Mahomes, but time will tell if he is at 100%.
Eagles waiting
Tonight will decide who is moving on to the Super Bowl out of the AFC, but we already have one team that has punched their ticket to Glendale in two weeks time. The Philadelphia Eagles will await the winner of tonight’s matchup after defeating a banged up San Francisco 49ers team at Lincoln Financial Field.
Joe Burrrrrrrow looking cold
Joe Burrow is on the verge of making this league his. His first three seasons have gone like this: torn ACL in year one, went to the Super Bowl in year two, and got his team back to the AFC Championship in year three. Every week it seems like he is writing another page to his legacy, and tonight he has another opportunity. As always, Burrow is dressed to impress before taking the field.
The Chief of Arrowhead is in the building
Patrick Mahomes knows that the eyes of the world are on him every time he takes the field, but even more so tonight with the status of his ankle uncertain. We will see just how healthy his ankle is on the first few possessions of the game. If Mahomes can’t move around the pocket like he normally does then the Chiefs chances to win will drop severely.
Bengals make it out of Buffalo
It was a snowy day in Orchard Park, but that didn’t affect the Bengals in the slightest as Cincy breezed past the Buffalo Bills last week. Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead before the Bills took their fourth offensive snap. After throwing two quick TDs, Burrow took a back seat for the rest of the day as Joe Mixon and the ground game carried the Bengals to their second straight Super Bowl with a 27-10 win at Highmark Stadium.
Chiefs advance, Maholmes OK
Kansas City survived a scare last weekend when they saw their star QB hobble off the field in the first quarter of their Divisional Round game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Patrick Mahomes had is ankle rolled up on by a couple of Jags defenders but came back and fought through a severely sprained ankle to lead the Chiefs to the Super Bowl. Jacksonville gave KC all they could handle, but in the end it was an injured Mahomes who had the game winning TD pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the fourth quarter to reach their fifth consecutive AFC title game.
We are live from KC
Hello everyone and welcome to Arrowhead. We couldn’t have asked for a better Conference Title game to decide who is moving on to Super Bowl LVII, as we get set for Chiefs vs. Bengals: Round 2. The Chiefs have looked like the top team in the AFC all season even after seeing their top downfield weapon shipping south in the offseason. Tyreek Hill’s departure opened up the offense even more and Patrick Mahomes carried KC to a top seed in the conference and back to the Conference Championship for a fifth straight time. The Bengals’ season got off to a slow start after reaching the Super Bowl last year. Joe Burrow and the Bengals lost four of their first eight as the offensive line struggled to protect their face of the franchise. The O line sorted itself out midway through the season, and Cincy went on to win their final eight games to finish the season at the top of the AFC North. They have won ten straight and if they can make it eleven tonight, they will be on their way to a second straight Super Bowl.
Bengals vs. Chiefs
The Kings of the AFC will be crowned tonight in a rematch of last year’s Conference Championship as the Kansas City Chiefs host the Cincinnati Bengals from Arrowhead with a spot in the Super Bowl on the line. AS English will be with you all night providing live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis of tonight’s AFC title game from Kansas City.