KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Nearly a yr to the day after the Cincinnati Bengals despatched the Kansas City Chiefs residence in time beyond regulation of final season’s AFC Championship Sport, the Chiefs acquired their revenge. Taking part in by way of a excessive ankle sprain, quarterback Patrick Mahomes snapped Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ streak of three straight wins over Kansas Metropolis.
Harrison Butker despatched the Chiefs to the Tremendous Bowl with a 45-yard area purpose to win 23-20. It’s the Chiefs’ third Tremendous Bowl berth in 4 seasons. They’re going to face Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Mahomes added one other vital chapter to his legacy on Sunday night time at Arrowhead Stadium.
One week after struggling a excessive ankle sprain and hobbling round within the second half of the divisional spherical playoff win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Mahomes guided the Chiefs into the Tremendous Bowl for the third time in 4 seasons. The Chiefs will play the Eagles in Tremendous Bowl 57 after their 23-20 win within the AFC Championship Sport.
The Chiefs gained on Harrison Butker’s 45-yard area purpose with three seconds remaining. Mahomes accomplished 1-of-2 passes for six yards on the drive and scrambled for 9 yards resulting in the sphere purpose. He completed 29-of-43 for 326 yards and two touchdowns.
Not shopping for Valdes-Scantling’s breakout efficiency: Marquez Valdes-Scantling made some massive catches for the Chiefs and completed with six receptions and 116 yards and a landing. He had comparable video games for the Chiefs this season however not sufficient of them. Most frequently, he is simply not going to be a excessive quantity receiver for the Chiefs however one who delivers the occasional massive play.
Promising pattern: The Chiefs have purpose to be ok with what they achieved on protection. They pressured Joe Burrow for a lot of the sport and wound up with 5 sacks. That they had an interception, one thing they managed simply as soon as of their three video games in opposition to Burrow and the Bengals. Additionally they made Cincinnati kick area targets twice whereas within the crimson zone.
Underneath-the-radar stats that issues: The Chiefs by the top of the sport have been taking part in with out 4 of their high six extensive receivers due to accidents or sickness. JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee), Mecole Hardman (pelvis) and Kadarius Toney (ankle) have been injured through the recreation. Justin Watson (sickness) didn’t go well with up. That left them with Valdes-Scantling, rookie Skyy Moore and a participant referred to as up from the follow squad on Saturday. — Teicher
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Ja’Marr Chase’s gutsy catch on 4th down units up Bengals’ TD
Ja’Marr Chase makes an unreal seize on fourth-and-six that units up Samaje Perine for a brief Bengals landing.
Cincinnati Bengals
The streaks needed to finish finally.
The Chiefs lastly bested the Bengals in a 23-20 win within the AFC championship recreation. The Bengals could not make it 4 straight wins over their convention rivals and completed the season on a loss after successful 10 straight video games.
It was one other traditional recreation between the groups that got here right down to the top and featured massive momentum swings. Cincinnati got here shut to a different comeback win, however in the end could not maintain Mahomes and Kansas Metropolis from ending their successful stretch in an enthralling sequence.
Shopping for Higgins’ breakout efficiency: Do not sleep on Tee Higgins as a high receiving choice. When the Bengals wanted a completion in important occasions on Sunday, Higgins was there. That was evident within the third quarter, when he went up and caught a 27-yard landing cross from Joe Burrow to tie the sport at 13. He used his body and ball expertise to snag a soar ball that Burrow weighted nicely down the sideline. Cincinnati must make a number of contract selections on key gamers in upcoming offseasons. Higgins is eligible for an extension this yr and confirmed why he’s worthy of being paid like a high receiver.
Largest gap within the gameplan: Cincinnati struggled to maintain Mahomes contained though he was coping with a sprained ankle. The Kansas Metropolis quarterback accomplished his first six passes outdoors of the pocket for 69 yards and a landing, per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. And when Mahomes had time to throw, he made the Bengals pay. By way of three quarters, he was 13-of-19 passing for 198 yards, two touchdowns and nil interceptions. He completed 29 of 43 for 326 yards and two touchdowns.
QB breakdown: Burrow had a blended bag in opposition to Kansas Metropolis. He struggled early, with the largest flub a first-half turnover on a throw to extensive receiver Tee Higgins. However Burrow additionally had key performs through which he was in a position to transfer the offense and trusted his receivers in tight spots. That occurred when Burrow discovered Higgins on a 27-yard landing cross on a 3rd down within the third quarter and once more when Ja’Marr Chase caught a 35-yard cross on fourth-and-6 when he was double-covered down the center.
Describe the sport in two phrases: One other traditional. Cincinnati and Kansas Metropolis delivered within the fourth installment of this sequence in two seasons and produced one other thriller within the AFC championship recreation. — Child