The Cincinnati Bengals will hit the road once again as they will take on the Kansas City Chiefs for the second-straight year in the AFC Championship game. The two teams met in the regular season in week 13 as the Bengals took down the Chiefs in a thrilling 27-24 win at home. Kansas City and Cincinnati have only met once in the postseason. This weekend’s matchup will mark the second time in its history that both teams will face off against one another in the playoffs. Let’s take a look back at the last time the Bengals and Chiefs dueled it out in the postseason:
Bengals vs. Chiefs Playoff History: 2022 AFC Championship
The Bengals magical run would continue as they took on the Kansas City Chiefs in last year’s AFC Championship game. The stage was set for an epic battle between Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes. The winner would receive the grand prize of punching their ticket to the Super Bowl in Los Angeles.
Cincinnati would be getting the ball first to start of this pivotal playoff game for both teams. The Bengals offense would stall out and the Kansas City defense would force them to a quick three-and-out. It didn’t take the Chiefs to get on the scoreboard as it only took them one offensive possession to find the endzone.
Kansas City would go on an 11-play, 84-yard drive to put them up early in the AFC Championship. Patrick Mahomes would find Tyreek Hill in the endzone for a 10-yard touchdown to put the Chiefs up 7-0 with 7:17 left in the first quarter.
The Bengals would be able to answer Kansas City’s early touchdown with a field goal. Evan McPherson would nail a 32-yard field goal to cut into the Chiefs lead, making it 7-3. The red-hot Kansas City offense would be able to increase their lead as Mahomes threw his second touchdown on the day, this time finding Travis Kelce for a five-yard touchdown. The Chiefs would extend their lead to 11 with 12:14 remaining in the second quarter.
The Bengals offense didn’t have any answers on their next drive as they had to punt it away back to the Chiefs offense. Mahomes continued to shine as he found Mecole Hardman for a three-yard touchdown to give Kansas City a 21-3 lead with 5:04 remaining in the second quarter.
Cincinnati would be able to score on a much-needed touchdown drive to get some momentum heading into the break. Joe Burrow was able to connect with Samaje Perine on a 41-yard touchdown to cut into the Chiefs lead, 21-10. The Chiefs offense drove all the way down to the Bengals one-yard line, but Cincinnati’s defense was able to tackle Hill inbounds as the clock would expire. Kansas City would take a 21-10 lead going into the locker room.
Cincinnati’s Defense Would Lock Down the Chiefs Offense:
All hope wasn’t lost yet for Bengals fans as the Bengals were only down by 11 at the start of the third quarter. The first three offensive possessions of the third quarter resulted in punts and both defenses were starting to find their rhythm.
Cincinnati was able to break through and cut into the Chiefs lead even more with a 31-yard field goal by McPherson. Kansas City would hold a 21-13 lead with 2:58 left in the third quarter. Momentum would shift to the Bengals sidelines as Mahomes pass was picked off by B.J. Hill that set up the Bengals offense to start at the Chiefs 27-yard line.
Cincinnati would be able to take advantage of a timely turnover as Burrow found Ja’Marr Chase for a two-yard touchdown. Zac Taylor would decide to go for the two-point conversion to be able to tie up the game. They were able to do just that as Trent Taylor hauled in a two-yard pass to deadlock the score at 21.
The Bengals defense continued to rise to the occasion as they moved the Chiefs offense backwards and they were forced to a quick three-and-out. Cincinnati’s offense wasn’t able to take the lead as Burrow’s pass was picked off by L’Jarius Sneed to give Kansas City an opportunity to drive down the field. Cincinnati’s defense would be able to limit the turnover as they were able to force the Chiefs to punt.
This time, the Bengals were able to take the lead on their next drive as McPherson drilled a 52-yard field goal to put Cincinnati up 24-21 with 6:04 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs would chew up the rest of the clock and they would be able to send this game into overtime as Harrison Butker made a 44-yard field goal.
The game would go to overtime and the Chiefs would end up winning the coin toss that would give their offense a chance to end the game. The Bengals defense were able to get another costly turnover as Mahomes pass was intercepted by Vonn Bell. The interception would give Cincinnati great field position and all the Bengals needed was a score to advance to the Super Bowl.
The Bengals were able to drive deep into Kansas City territory and they decided that they were going for the game-winning field goal from the Chiefs 13-yard line. McPherson’s 31-yard kick would be good and the Bengals would be headed to the Super Bowl to face off against the Los Angeles Rams. Cincinnati was able to complete a 21-3 comeback and their defense came up with timely interceptions.
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