How the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Bengals in AFC Championship to go to Super Bowl
It doesn’t get bigger than this: The Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals play Sunday evening in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, and the winner will advance to Super Bowl LVII.
Today marks the 33rd time, including the postseason, that these two AFC powers have played each other. The Bengals hold an 18-14 edge in the all-time series and have beaten the Chiefs in the past three meetings.
And after Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a high-ankle sprain in last weekend’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, his out-of-pocket, off-script moves might look a bit different.
From opposing QBs Mahomes and Joe Burrow, to top targets Travis Kelce and Ja’Marr Chase or defensive players like Chris Jones and Trey Hendrickson, Sunday’s game promises star power and All-Pro talent.
“I’d just tell you they’re a real good football team,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “They don’t have a lot of weaknesses on either side of the ball or special teams, so that part hasn’t changed from the first time we played them. They’re good, or they wouldn’t be here at this round.”
KC fans can’t wait for Super Bowl
Moments after the Chiefs crowd at KC Live! breathed a sigh of relief at the close win over the Bengals, Karina Davis, 30, took a photo as her husband, Dominique Davis, 32, both from Kansas City, posed in front of the red and gold confetti falling from the ceiling.
“I knew we was gonna win,” Karina Davis shouted above the roar of the crowd.
Dominique Davis said he was more than happy to break “that losing culture.”
Their plans post-AFC game? Planning their Super Bowl celebration.
Within half an hour of the game ending, Ryan Fasbender, 52, and Jen Fasbender, 51, already had their AFC championship apparel from Rally House in hand.
The married couple from Clear Lake, Iowa, visited Kansas City for the 2021 AFC championship game where they watched the Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills from their spots at KC Live! This year, the longtime Chiefs fans decided to make the drive down to do it again.
“It was worth coming back for,” said Jen Fasbender as cars honked triumphantly behind her.
AJ Cheeks, 25, of Richmond, Virginia, isn’t a Chiefs fan, per se. But since he was already in town to visit family this weekend, he decided to stop by KC Live! To watch the game.
“I knew it was going to be a once in a lifetime experience,” Cheeks said. “I feel like it was just as good as being at the game.”
Lauren Roberts, 23, of Kansas City, stood with a group of friends a few feet away.
Despite the 5 degree wind chill, she said she would do it all again in a heartbeat.
“I would stand out here and freeze my ass off again,” Roberts said before heading back to take more celebratory photos with her friends.
Final score: Chiefs 23, Bengals 20
Patrick Mahomes, on a scramble to the sideline, got just enough for a first down before being hit out of bounds. Seconds later, a flag was thrown and a Bengals defender was penalized for a late-hit on Mahomes, setting up Harrison Butker for a 45-yard field goal to put the Chiefs up 23-20 with 3 seconds left. The Chiefs are headed to the Super Bowl to play the Philadelphia Eagles.
Fourth-quarter score: Chiefs 20, Bengals 20
Taking a risk on a fourth down. the Bengals make a huge throw to inside the 10-yard line. And Cincinnati scores to once again tie the game.
The Chiefs get a few chances to make something happen on their next drive, thanks to a referee miscommunication on a transition and a holding call on the Chiefs’ Eli Apple. A few incomplete passes follow, and the Chiefs punt.
KC made some huge defensive plays, culminating with a interception by Joshua Williams off a tipped ball by fellow rookie Bryan Cook, which gave the Chiefs the ball back and another chance at the lead. The Chiefs went 49 yards on six plays before punting on the ensuing drive.
The Bengals, starting from their six-yard line, converted a crucial 3rd-and-16 on a 23-yard pass to Hayden Hurst. The Chiefs force a key stop on the next set of downs, capped off with a third-down sack by Chris Jones. Mahomes and the offense begin their drive from their 47-yard line with 30 seconds left.
Third-quarter score: Chiefs 20, Bengals 13
KC’s first drive of the second half didn’t deliver, going three and out for a total of two yards.
When the Bengals take possession, they make a couple successful runs and passes. Then Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay goes down, in apparent pain on the field. He walks off to the sideline.
The Bengals score with a big throw to the end-zone and tie the game.
Mahomes connects to Mecole Hardman, but he goes down (this is Hardman’s first game back after a long period of injured reserve), and Mahomes limps away. A few drives later, after a long ball to Marquez Valdes-Scantling, he’s sacked. The Chiefs challenge and get a first down.
The Chiefs score with a beeline throw from Mahomes to Valdes-Scantling. Extra point is good.
The Bengals don’t keep the ball long, thanks to a tip by cornerback Trent McDuffie. Skyy Moore gets yardage for the Chiefs on the punt return, but KC loses 10 yards on a penalty.
Another 25-yard pass from Mahomes to MVP is negated by unsportsmanlike conduct call on offensive tackle Andrew Wylie. Then a fumble by Mahomes gives Cincinnati the ball.
Second quarter: Chiefs 13, Bengals 6
The Chiefs quickly finish off their drive from the first quarter with a field goal.
Kansas City has gotten four sacks tonight, with the latest coming from rookie George Karlaftis. The Bengals have had more momentum on this drive, getting within 20 yards for the first time tonight. Cincinnati settles for a field goal to get on the board.
A big pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling earned the Chiefs 29 yards on their next drive. Facing a fourth down, the Chiefs get their first completed touchdown of the game with a pass from Mahomes to Kelce. With the touchdown, Kelce is tied for the second-most playoff touchdown receptions in NFL history, along with Rob Gronkowski.
Cincinnati again fails to convert on their next drive, thanks to an interception by Jaylen Watson.
The Chiefs don’t score with their possession and punt it back to the Bengals. With 2 minutes to get all the way down the field, they make it within 5 yards and settle for a field goal.
L’Jarius Sneed injury update
Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed will not return to the game after a tackle early in the first quarter. He was being evaluated for a concussion. The Chiefs ruled him out shortly before halftime.
First quarter: Chiefs 3, Bengals 0
Kansas City wins the toss and decides to receive in the second half. Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed went down on an early play and headed to the medical tent on the sidelines, then to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion.
After a big sack of Joe Burrow by Frank Clark, the Bengals punt to end their first drive.
The Chiefs saw more success on their first drive, including an end-zone pass to receiver Kadarius Toney that was ruled incomplete. Andy Reid challenged the call but was overruled.
The Chiefs scored a field goal to get the first points.
In the next possession, Chiefs linebacker Chris Jones gets the first playoff sack of his career. That’s the third tackle of Burrow tonight.
Another Chiefs end-zone pass, to Isiah Pacheco, was overturned over a holding call on an offensive lineman.
Meanwhile, Kadarius Toney appears to be injured on the sideline and is now heading into the locker room. Chiefs end the first quarter in the lead.
Live news updates from Chiefs vs. Bengals
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Fans gather at Power & Light in Kansas City
Despite the cold weather, KC Live! in the Power & Light District was again packed Sunday.
The crowd, mostly a sea of red, cheered when the Chiefs came on the large TV screen at kickoff, and booed when Bengals players were shown. When Mahomes flashed across the screen, the crowd started shouting “MVP.”
Deval Walker, 30, of Kansas City, returned to watch his fourth Chiefs playoff game at KC Live!. He comes for the crowd and the fellow fans.
“It don’t get better than this,” he said.
Walker stood bundled up next to Damarko Pannell. Both hope they’re braving the cold for a Chiefs win.
Not only does Pannell, 29, of Kansas City, hope to make up for last week’s playoff loss, he also has some money riding on a Super Bowl win. $1,500 to be exact.
Sunday was lifelong Chief’s fan Denise Rodriguez first time watching a Kansas City game surrounded by a sizeable crowd.
Rodriguez, 23, of Kansas City, hopes to buy her first ticket to a game at Arrowhead next year to see her favorite players, JuJu and Kelce, play live. But for now, feeding off the energy of the downtown crowd through all four quarters will do.
“I’ll be right here.”
KC Potato Girl’s tailgate
“KC Potato Girl” Nicki Conrad had a special tailgate set up Sunday, sponsored by Wendy’s and Hy-Vee.
Conrad went viral last week after she caught a Jaguars fan trying to roast her by taking a picture of her while she was eating a baked potato in the stands at the Chiefs’ Jan. 21 playoff game against Jacksonville.
But the joke was on the Jaguars fan, because Conrad was taking a picture of them at the same time.
Since then, Conrad has gotten lots of support and recognition from Kansas City Chiefs fans.
“Everything about this week has been amazing,” said Conrad, who is from Raytown and has been coming to Arrowhead since she was a little girl.
With the support of Wendy’s and Hy-Vee, she invited fans to stop by her tailgate at Arrowhead Sunday for a loaded baked potato bar and some fellowship before the game.
“Hy-Vee hooked us up with all the potatoes. Wendy’s hooked us up with all the chili. It’s been a blast,” she said.
The baked potato bar was set with everything from pulled pork, chili, bacon bits, cheese, chives and more.
She said more than 200 people stopped by and a number of people even recognized her in passing.
“They just get so excited too and they cheer for me,” she said. “It’s crazy. I did not expect this.”
Conrad said making sure she has something good to eat during the game is somewhat of a tradition for her.
“I always make sure to have a pocket snack with me,” she said.
In the past she’s taken in breakfast sandwiches, brats, smash burgers and rolls.
Today she’s keeping it simple: a baked potato with salt, pepper and sour cream.
“I put it in my pocket and go on in,” she said.
Fans travel for AFC Championship Game
Dave Chandler and his daughter Syd Chandler came all the way from Niagara Falls, Canada to catch today’s game.
Dave doesn’t have many connections to Kansas City but he was always a diehard Derrick Thomas fan and now he is fully committed to the Red Kingdom. His daughter, Syd, is now a dedicated Chiefs fan as well.
“She had no real choice,” Chandler said. “The first thing I brought her home from the hospital in was a Chiefs jersey.”
The two went to their first Chiefs game together 12 years ago. Now the daddy-daughter duo makes sure to come to at least one Chiefs game every year.
“So I’ve had a partner in crime ever since,”Chandler said.
The two even got matching tailgate jackets.
“I got Derrick Thomas and she got Eric Berry, because it’s half the number: 58 and 29. Plus they’re two of our favorite players,” Dave said.
Who’s playing for the Chiefs?
The Chiefs have their All-Pro tight end for the AFC Championship Game. Travis Kelce (back) is not among the seven players the Chiefs designated as inactive. See the full injury update.
Bengals fans: ‘We’re gonna tear Kansas City up’
Bengals fans Kris Dihrko, from Dayton, Ohio, and Aaron Motley, from Cincinnati, came to last year’s Chiefs-Bengals matchup and returned on Sunday feeling good about their team’s chances.
“We had so much fun we decided to come back,” Dihrkop said. “I say, if we run the ball well, it’s as good as done.”
“We’re gonna tear Kansas City up,” Motley said.
Even though they are Bengals fans, they said every one in Kansas City was cordial last year. Dihrkop said he’s not sure if it’ll be the same after today’s rematch.
“This year, I’m anticipating a little friction,” he said.
Fans have faith in a Chiefs victory
Michael Kyle said he knows the Chiefs will win today. Kyle and a few of his cousins drove from Seymore, Missouri, to see the AFC Championship game.
“Overtime, field goal, Kansas City,” he said. “It’s going to happen.”
Kyle smokes a cigar and cooks up a shrimp boil every game to make sure the team pulls through. But he said it’s really the fellow fans who makes the game special.
“It’s been great camaraderie,” he said. “We’re just out here to support our Chiefs.”
Chris Blanz had his mohawk colored Chiefs red for the game Sunday. Despite the large showing of Bengals fans, the Kansas City native said he did not feel intimidated.
He played cornhole while he waited for the game to start and said he was sure it would turn out in the Chiefs’ favor.
“This is Arrowhead,” he said. “We have Patrick Mahomes.”
Marty Gomez of Raytown and Mike Adamson of Independence were warm Sunday, thanks to the heaters inside their tents.
Their party enjoyed jalapeño poppers, deer sausage and turkey chili before the game, which they believed would be close but turn out with a Chiefs victory.
“We’re gonna win . . . it’s all Chiefs,” Gomez said.
Chiefs fans continue traditions
Siblings Rosanne Bailes of Lee’s Summit, Christian Garcia of Blue Springs and Francine Garcia of Independence set up a flag pole to display the banners of the Chiefs and of Mexico.
When they were young, their parents took them to games, they said. And now they take their kids. The siblings reminisce about attending games in the 70s while making predictions of the final score, all saying the Chiefs will come out on top by a small margin.
Being a Chiefs fan runs in their blood. Bailes’ son is now a third generation season ticket holder.
“They’re just fun to watch,” she said. “And Patrick (Mahomes) is a blast to watch.”
Hailing from Hastings, Minnesota, Destinie Geisinger and her best friend Jessica McDougall drove six and a half hours to make it to Sunday’s game.
Geisinger said she was born into Chiefs Kingdom. Her dad, originally from Iowa, has been a Chiefs fan for 60 years. Her own brother is named Joe Montana after the Chiefs former quarterback.
“I grew up into it,” said Geisinger, predicting that the Chiefs will beat the Bengals 31 to 27. To make sure that comes true, Geisinger has followed a strict set of good luck rituals.
She said she’s worn the same red and gold Chiefs jumpsuit for the past five games and cannot wash it or she will risk washing away the luck. She won’t get her hair done before a major game and she even brought along her friend Jessica, who she said is her very own good luck charm.
“They’ve never lost when she’s been here,” Geisinger said of Mcdougall. “Just a lot of different traditions that make them win,” she said.
Chiefs Kingdom fires up pre-game tailgate at Arrowhead
One tailgate party centered on “Vandy Reid,” a custom van with its own Instagram account and fan following.
On Sunday, a group gathered there with a karaoke machine and beverages to go around. Zack Kerner of Kansas City, a season ticket holder since 2012, was there and said he was holding off on celebrating until the Chiefs won.
“This is the most nervous I’ve been for a game in a while,” he said.
John Carboneau of Lee’s Summit is spending his 33rd birthday, as he put it, with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
Each member of his party holds season tickets, some for decades. The group combined two tents decorated with cutouts of their favorite players. A make-shift Mongolian grill sits inside.
It’ll be a close game, Carboneau said, but he remains optimistic.
“It’s gonna be a good day.”
Chiefs fan Rucker — he preferred to give only his last name — admitted he was a little nervous for the game. The Bengals have proven to be a worthy opponent this season.
The Kansas City native prepares for the game by grilling and drinking in his many layers, which have kept him warm since he began tailgating at 10 a.m., he said.
Even if it’s hard-fought, Rucker believes the Chiefs will take home a victory, thanks to Patrick Mahomes, who he thinks is the best quarterback in the league.
“I do believe we will persevere,” he said.
How to watch Chiefs vs. Bengals
What time is the game? Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m. Central
What channel is the game on? You can watch on CBS. That’s Channel 5 in Kansas City.
Where are the Chiefs playing? GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
What radio station is the game on? WDAF, or 106.5 FM, will have the game. You can also stream on the Chiefs mobile app.
How have these teams fared against each other in the playoffs? The Bengals lead the postseason series 1-0.
Other coverage of the AFC Championship Game
What’s up with the Vegas odds?: Betting-line shift takes Vegas by surprise: ‘That just doesn’t happen’
The trash-talking: ‘See y’all at Burrowhead Stadium,’ Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones says. Wait what?
The Mahomes Ankle Watch: Here’s what could give Patrick Mahomes the most trouble with his ankle injury
The mind games of a losing streak: ‘In the face of the fates’: On Chiefs-Bengals, mind games and the 1969 parallel
Prediction: Will KC wild card come through on his promise vs. Cincy?
All-star five-timers: This group has been here for Chiefs’ full run of AFC-title home games
The Star’s Anna Spoerre, Jenna Thompson, Kynala Phillips and Herbie Teope contributed to this report.
