This budding rivalry produced another classic playoff game, but this time, the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes were finally able to defeat Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals to win the AFC Championship, 23-20.
Super Bowl LVII will be between the Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles on February 12 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and can be seen on FOX.
After forcing the Bengals punt with less than a minute left in the game, rookie returner Skyy Moore got the right blocks to drive back 29 yards to the Kansas City 47-yard line to set up Mahomes to get enough yardage. for Harrison Butker to kick him for the win.
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Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with teammate Marquez Valdes-Scantling #11 after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.
(David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Mahomes scrambled to try to get those yards back and the Bengals’ Joseph Ossai hit him out of bounds, a critical penalty that gave the Chiefs more than enough for Butker to end the game.
From 45 yards, Butker was perfect and sent his team to the Super Bowl.
Playing with that high ankle sprain, Mahomes’ mobility was certainly diminished, but he did whatever it took to move the ball and it worked. He finished the game with 326 yards on 29-for-43 with two touchdown passes.
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Meanwhile, Burrow was 26 of 41 for 270 yards with a touchdown pass and two interceptions, ultimately losing to the Chiefs early in his career.
It wasn’t the best start for the Bengals, but they started the second half the way they wanted, forcing a 3-and-out on the Chiefs and immediately tying the game with an eight-play drive that saw Tee Higgins rise over his defender to catch the ball. ball at its highest point in the end zone for a 27-yard standout hook.
Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs fires Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.
(David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Mahomes responded quickly to Burrow as their 11-play drive had some magic that resulted in Márquez Valdés-Scantling being dropped in the end zone for a touchdown to put the Chiefs back ahead.
However, a crucial fumble turned the game around late in the third quarter. Mahomes was sacked and the ball came out, and while he fought to get it back, the Bengals kept the ball and Burrow wasn’t going to do it all for nothing.
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On an aggressive 4-and-6 call from head coach Zac Taylor, Ja’Marr Chase tried to get past Higgins, jumping and dragging a Burrow pass past two defenders to set up a Samaje Perine rushing touchdown to tie the game.
In the first half, the Chiefs got on the board first after Harrison Butker made a 43-yard field goal after the officials ruled Kadarius Toney missed what would have been the first touchdown of the game on a deep down the line pass. Mahomes’ left winger. .
The Bengals struggled with the Chiefs’ defense to start this one, as Burrow was sacked three times in the first two series of the game. Kansas City collected one more before the half was up as well.
January 29, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, United States; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) covers his ears to catch a play in the first quarter of the NFL AFC Championship game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, May 29. January 2023, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Month.
(Sam Greene-USA TODAY Sports)
However, Burrow struggled and found his way with a 13-play drive that went 63 yards to tie the game at three apiece.
Mahomes responded with the first touchdown drive of the game and used Márquez Valdés-Scantling to drive down the field. He found the No. 11 on consecutive plays, one for 11 yards and the other for 29 yards to drive into Bengals territory.
Then, after buying some time, the Mahomes-Kelce connection resulted in six points once again on a 14-yard pass.
Kelce finished the game with 78 yards on seven catches, though it was a game-time decision with a back injury that occurred in practice Friday. It didn’t seem to bother him.
Valdes-Scantling was the leading receiver with 116 yards on six receptions, while rookie Isiah Pacheco added 59 receiving yards on five catches.
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter of the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.
(David Eulitt/Getty Images)
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For the Bengals, Higgins had 83 yards on six receptions, while Chase also finished with 75 yards on six receptions. Burrow led Cincinnati’s rushing attack with 30 yards on four carries.