The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 on Sunday night in the AFC championship to advance to Super Bowl LVII.
The Bengals had a chance to win late, but critical and questionable penalties not only kept Kansas City drives alive but also cost the Bengals. With 41 seconds remaining, Cincinnati punted deep into Chiefs’ territory, only for rookie wide receiver Skyy Moore to return it 29 yards to set up Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes in excellent field position with one timeout remaining.
After a first-down run went for six yards to set up Kansas City at the Bengals’ 47-yard line, the Chiefs called their final timeout with 21 seconds remaining. Mahomes’ pass to Moore was incomplete coming out of the timeout, and the Chiefs were facing a 3rd-and-4.
With no one open, Mahomes scrambled to the sideline, getting the first down with under 10 seconds remaining. However, with Mahomes clearly out of bounds, Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai shoves Mahomes, and the officials immediately throw the flag.
Instead of a 60-yard attempt with some wind, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker attempts a 45-yarder, which he crushes, sending Kansas City to its third Super Bowl appearance in four years.
It was a gutsy performance from Mahomes playing on an injured ankle. He completed 29 of 43 passes for 326 yards, with two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow completed 26 of 41 attempts for 270 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. Burrow was under duress throughout the game due to Cincinnati’s offensive line injuries.
Now the Chiefs will face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, where there will be no shortage of storylines. Brother [Eagles center Jason Kelce] vs. brother [Chiefs TE Travis Kelce], Andy Reid’s team of 14 years {Eagles] vs. Reid’s team of the last 10 seasons and counting [Chiefs]. It will also be a meeting between the NFL’s two No. 1 playoff seeds.