At so many points, it seemed like one team had all the momentum and then it would flip again, back and forth down to the wire. With a minute to go I thought the Bengals were going to win by 3, yet again.
The Chiefs were up 13-3 with the ball after intercepting Burrow. For the next hour, it was all Bengals, as they tied it up at 13-13. Chiefs immediately respond with a 77-yard touchdown drive including a successful challenge to turn a 4th and 1 into a first down.
With 1 minute to go in the 3rd, Chiefs were driving up 20-13. They were in Bengals territory, looking to take a two-score lead. Disaster strikes. The ball slips out of Mahomes hand. Bengals get the ball and score. 20-20.
Chiefs are now so depleted from injuries that they can't get across midfield even when gifted a mulligan, and they punt it away. With 7 minutes to go, the Chiefs rookies combine for a tipped interception.
The Chiefs drive stalls at the Bengals 39 and they punt it away. It seemed like such a waste. But they were playing the field position game and trusting their defense.
Bengals take over with 2:30 to go on their own 6. If Burrow drives down the field and they kick a game-winning field goal, then all of this becomes reality:
- They are in back-to-back Super Bowls.
- Burrow goes to 4-0 vs Mahomes, Bengals 4-game winning streak over Chiefs.
- Joe Burrow I think becomes QB1 in the league. He may not have the MVPs, but by dominating Mahomes and two straight Super Bowl appearances (and no fierce NFC competition) I think this is true.
- Bengals are 0-3 in the Super Bowl but would have another shot at the franchise's first title.
- And they drop the Chiefs to 2-3 in AFC Title Games at home.
- Arrowhead really starts to feel like Burrowhead.
Bengals convert a 3rd and 16 and it feels like the gut punch is coming.
But with 41 seconds left, Chris Jones sacks Burrow on 3rd and 8. Jones starts waving goodbye. Romo is talking about that sack putting them in the Super Bowl.
But I'm staring at the scoreboard. It's tied 20-20. There's 41 seconds left and they're punting from the CIN 28. Chiefs are depleted and have gone fumble-punt-punt on their last three drives.
And then they show that Skyy Moore is back to receive the punt. I freak out. The guy is a rookie and has muffed THREE punts this year. But Toney is out. Hardman is out. So Skyy Moore it is.
All I can think about is him muffing this punt and the Bengals get the ball in field goal range.
Cue Jeff Daniels in Dumb and Dumber: "Just when I think you couldn't possibly be any [muffer], you go and do something like this... and TOTALLY REDEEM YOURSELF!"
Skyy catches it cleanly while backpedalling to the KC 18, then explodes up the right sideline going out of bounds at the KC 47. 29 yards. (Shades of the rookie Hardman turning the playoff game vs Texans around with a huge return...where the Chiefs would go on to win the Super Bowl.)
But it's a cold night in Arrowhead. Feels like four degrees. So Butker's range is not 55-60. Chiefs need to get it under a 50 yarder. That means at least the CIN 32. Which means they need 21 yards. 30 seconds, one timeout.
Pacheco for 6. Timeout.
Incomplete.
Brings up 3rd down from the CIN 47. 17 seconds. No timeouts. Need 4 yards for the first down. But 15 for field goal range. So, so, so easily could send this game to overtime.
3 receivers run routes. 7 initial blockers. 2 of the Chiefs blockers chip and then release for routes.
Bengals rushing four, dropping 7 into coverage.
Mahomes escapes the pocket. Has a chance to throw it to Noah Gray, but instead directs traffic, and fresh off a one-week-old high ankle sprain, is scrambling for the first down. Makes it to the CIN 42 out of bounds with 8 seconds. (Crucial that he got out of bounds since KC had no timeouts.) Secures the first down but still 10 yards away from a 50-yard attempt with no timeouts and only 8 seconds left.
It's going to be dicey.
Except it's not. Ossai pushes Mahomes blatlantly out of bounds. 15 yards.
Harrison Butker lines up for a 45-yarder in freezing cold temperatures. The guy who was missing extra points and field goals down the home stretch.
Knocks it clean through and cue the confetti.
- - -
So all that good stuff that could have happened for the Bengals. Strike all of that.
Here's what actually happened. They got to the Super Bowl and lost and then didn't have enough to get back. Burrow has one year left on his rookie deal. Good luck keeping multiple stud receivers once Burrow gets paid. If I was a Bengals fan, I'd be pretty damn upset about not winning the Super Bowl last year when they had the chance.
Instead, all that good stuff happened for KC.
Before Mahomes, I had never seen the Chiefs in the AFC Championship. With him, they're there at home every year. (Those last two sentences combined are the most insane stat I know.)
5 Straight AFC Championships at Arrowhead.
Three times in 5 years, the fans got to see a confetti celebration and the Lamar Hunt Trophy presented to Clark Hunt. Three times in 5 years, opposing teams learned you don't really want to have to go through Arrowhead.
The two times the Chiefs lost in the AFC Championship were both in Overtime. So that's the floor with Mahomes through five entire seasons. AFC Championship loss in overtime at minimum with 3 Super Bowl Appearances in 5 seasons.
Super Bowl 54: Chiefs are there
Super Bowl 55: Chiefs are there
Super Bowl 56: minor blip, Chiefs lost in overtime in AFC Title Game
Super Bowl 57: Chiefs are there
No more Bengals streak. Get out of here with Burrow 4-0 vs Mahomes. The Chiefs have solidified their claim as the AFC's best team.
- - -
For me, this was all about REDEMPTION.
So, so happy for Skyy Moore. I'm sure I wasn't the only fan scared to see him back there. Redemption for Reid and Toub for trusting Moore, giving him so many reps and faith.
Redemption for Butker after having his worst season. Dude was 5/5 on 3 field goals and 2 xp. Needed every single one. Clutch.
How about Playoff Frank Clark.
How about MVS?! All season he averaged under 2.5 catches a game, 40 yards a game, and only scored twice. Tonight: 6 for 116 and caught a laser beam TD. When the pickings are slim, he lead the team in receiving.
And Mahomes. If he didn't pull it out at the end. All anyone would talk about was the 3rd quarter fumble. After watching Brock Purdy pull himself after getting knocked on the wrist, we just saw this dude grit his way through scrambling on a high ankle sprain. Throwing to nobodies and a triple-covered Kelce.
Not bad for your first 5 seasons.
- - -
The last AFC Championship the Chiefs won, they beat Buffalo by 14.
Before that, the Chiefs beat the Titans by 11.
This was the first time the Chiefs advanced to the Super Bowl by winning a game that came down to the wire.
I've seen them lose two close ones, now I got to shout "We're going to the Super Bowl" out of genuine shock/awe/celebration.
I know what it feels like to win and lose a Super Bowl. And I have no idea what will happen in two weeks. But I'm sure not taking this for granted.
All the other AFC teams spent a billion dollars trying to dethrone the Chiefs and here we are.
Super Bowl 57. Super Bowl LVII.
We started our season in Arizona and now we're ending it there.
Hmmm...opened as a two point underdog. I like that.
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