Cincinnati Bengals vs Kansas Metropolis Chiefs Recap: Scores, Stats, Highlights | AFC Championship

The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are headed to their third Tremendous Bowl within the final 4 years after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals within the AFC Championship on Sunday evening. Harrison Butker kicked a game-winning 45-yard area purpose to safe a 23–20 win from Arrowhead Stadium.

Mahomes is coping with an ankle harm

All of the discuss coming into the championship spherical revolves across the standing of Patrick Mahomes’ excessive ankle sprain final week in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Because the first collection, the Kansas Metropolis quarterback has regarded cellular, however possibly not as agile as we’re used to seeing him on a weekly foundation. There have been a number of moments of discomfort all through the sport for QB Casey, however when it counted largely Mahomes took care of enterprise together with his toes.

It was presupposed to be a matchup between two high-flying groups which have turn into fairly conversant in one another over the previous few years. The Bengals have had the Chiefs in latest historical past, however have not been within the AFC title sport since Arrowhead.

The excessive octane shootout all of us anticipated bought off to a gradual begin because the KC protection pressured Cincy QB Joe Burrow on the primary possession. That they had 4 first-half sacks, and Made it tough for the Bengal gunners to really feel comfy within the pocket.

Sluggish begin for high-powered offenses

Regardless of the defensive dominance, Mahomes and the offense struggled to punch the ball into the tip zone, settling for 2 area targets on their first two possessions. Cincinnati added a area purpose to the scoreboard, and the Chiefs could not discover the tip zone for the primary time late within the first half. On 4th and 1, the Chiefs determined 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 lower than 4 minutes into the second quarter.

A late Evan McPherson area purpose lower the result in a landing to shut the half, and the Bengals’ offense lastly got here out of halftime. Twelve hit Tee Higgins for a 27-yard TD to carry the Bengals down the sphere to tie the sport at 13–13.

It would not take lengthy for Kansas Metropolis to reply. Mahomes punched again on the following possession, main an 11-play, 77-yard drive that ended with a 19-yard dart up the center to Marquez Valdes-Scantling for the go-ahead landing. After forcing Cincy right into a three-and-out, the Chiefs drove again down the sphere, however Mahomes made a uncommon mistake when the ball slipped from his arms on Flatt’s go and the fumble was recovered by Sam Hubbard.

Six performs later the Bengals would tie the sport with a Perine TD from two yards out early within the fourth quarter.

Winner of the sport with Batka

A punt from the Chiefs and Barro’s second interception of the evening set the stage for Mahomes to steal the present late within the fourth quarter. With 30 seconds left on the clock, KC took over from their 47 yard line after a terrific punt return from Skye Moore. Joseph Osai helped when the Kansas Metropolis trigger Mahomes went to scramble round midfield on third and 4, picked up a primary down after which hit a late catch to a Bengals defender.. The penalty put the Chiefs in area purpose place and Butker drilled the game-winner from 45 yards out with three seconds on the clock.

Mahomes did not look excellent, however on an evening the place he could not depend on his mobility within the pocket he nonetheless went 29/43 for 326 yards and three TDs, whereas Burrow went 26/41 for 270 yards, one TD and two interceptions.

The Chiefs are again within the Tremendous Bowl for the third time in 4 years and are prepared for it A showdown within the desert in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles from Glendale, Arizona in two weeks.