The Kansas City Chiefs are AFC West champions again after rallying from a ten-point deficit to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals, 25-17.
The Chiefs were 9-6 entering their final home game of the regular season and on a three-game skid for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era. In order to get back into the win column and continue their rein over the AFC West division, Kansas City needed to knock off a desperate Cincinnati Bengals squad that was fighting for their playoff lives. Led by backup quarterback Jake Browning, the Bengals needed to win their final two games to have a chance at earning a seed in the AFC playoffs. The loss on Sunday officially eliminated them from the postseason.
First Quarter
Cincinnati opened the game with a 17-play drive that took over 8 minutes of the first quarter. On 3rd & 10 from the Chiefs’ 20-yard line, and 7:10 left in the quarter, Browning completed a pass to wide receiver Trenton Irwin for a four-yard gain to the 16. The tackle by Kansas City cornerback Trent McDuffie was the first stop of the game and forced the Bengals to try for a 34-yard field. Which, kicker Evan McPherson knocked through for a 3-0 lead.
On their first possession of the game, Kansas City countered with their first opening-drive score of the season. In nine plays, Mahomes and the Chiefs offense stormed 75 yards downfield. After completing an 18-yard pass to wide receiver Rashee Rice that moved the chains from the 37 to the Bengal 45-yard line, running back Isiah Pacheco took a handoff and cruised for a 35-yard gain to the ten-yard line. Two plays later, Mahomes threw a dart to a wide-open Pacheco for a 7-3 lead follow a good PAT from kicker Harrison Butker.
Second Quarter
Cincinnati’s next drive drained the remaining 2:58 of the first quarter and went on into the second. After a 24-yard reception by Jamarr Chase converted a 3rd & 2, the Bengals ran the ball with Jow mixon of three consecutive plays for 14 total yards. On 2nd & 9 from the Chiefs’ 29, Browning completed an 11-yard pass to tight end Drew Sample. Four plays later from the seven, Browning threw a short pass to Mixon that resulted in Cincinnati’s first touchdown of the day, giving them a 10-7 lead.
Three plays into Kansas City’s next possession, on a 3rd & 7, Mahomes drops back as defensive end Trey Hendrickson hits the QB’s arm, knocking the ball out of his grasp as he was about to throw. The Bengals gained possession as DE Sam Hubbard pounced on it for the game’s first takeaway.
From the Kansas City 24-yard line, Browning begins the drive by scrambling eight yards to the 16. On the next play, Browning hands the ball to Mixon, but the running back is stuffed at the line of scrimmage for no gain. The result of the play leads to both teams exchanging pleasantries, which leads to both teams earning off-setting unnecessary roughness fouls.
On 3rd & 2, Browning converts with a nine-yard pass to tight end Tanner Hudson. Six plays later on 3rd & one from the one-yard line, Browning rolls to his right before dashing to the end zone for the touchdown, extending the Cincy lead to 17-7 with 6:28 left in the first half.
From his 24-yard line, Mahomes wasted no time getting the offense moving downfield. On 1st & 10, he completed a 16-yard pass to tight end Noah Gray, followed by a short pass to Pacheco that went for 21 yards. On the Bengal 39, Mahomes felt the rush and avoided the sack by getting the ball to Gray, who was tackled two yards behind the line of scrimmage. After a run by Pacheco earned five yards, Mahomes looked for tight end Travis Kelce to convert on 3rd & 7, but the pass fell incomplete. On 4th & 7, Harrison Butker lined up for a 54-yard field goal that he knocked through to cut the score to just a seven-point deficit.
After forcing the Bengals to punt, Kansas City retook possession at their 32 with 2:00 remaining in the first half. They got into scoring range after a 37-yard run by Pacheco set them up at the Cincinnati 31. After a false start penalty by center Creed Humphrey backed them up five yards, Mahomes completed consecutive six-yard passes, one to wide receiver Richie James and one for Pacheco, to set up 3rd & 3 from the 24. Mahomes finds wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scanting across the middle but the drive stalls as the ball goes through MVS’ hands to bring up 4th down. Butker is called out to kick a 43-yard field goal, which he nails down the middle. After six plays from the Bengals’ offense, the Chiefs go into the locker room down 17-13.
Third Quarter
Kansas City got the ball to begin the second half but was forced to punt after five plays. Cincinnati retook possession and began moving down the field after Browing completed a 14-yard pass to Hudson to convert a 3rd & 5. After Mixon rushed for a four-yard gain, Browning completed a 14-yard pass to Chase that moved the chains to the Kansas City 46-yard line. Two plays later, Browing attempted a deep pass for Tee Higgins but was interfered with as the ball fell to the turf. The play resulted in a 30-yard pass interference foul on the Chiefs that gave the Bengals a new set of downs at the Kansas City 15-yard line.
After three short runs by Mixon, Cincinnati attempted to convert 4th & 1 from the Chiefs’ six-yard line. Mixon took another handoff up the middle but was met by linebacker Willie Gay, who stuffed the play for a three-yard loss and forced the Bengals to turn the ball over on downs.
Backed up on their nine, Mahomes threw a quick pass to Kelce to move up to the 15. On 3rd & 4, Mahomes took a deep shot for wide receiver Justin Watson, who snatches the ball in mid-air for a 41-yard gain to the Bengal 44. Two plays later, Mahomes delivers a short pass to Rice, who turns it into a 24-yard play that moves Kansas City into the red zone at the 15. Three plays later, the drive fizzes out and Butker is sent to nail through a 27-yard field goal that cuts the deficit to only a point.
After forcing the Bengals to punt after six plays, Kansas City takes over inside their ten-yard line. On 2nd & 8, Mahomes sends another pass to Rice for an 11-yard reception and a new set of downs. On the next play, Mahomes chucks a deep ball to Rice that results in a 67-yard play that moves Kansas City to the Cincy 11. After two short runs by Pacheco and a pass that loses two yards, the Chiefs are forced to bring Butker back out to send through a 24-yard field goal, which gives the Chiefs a 19-17 lead as the third quarter expires.
Fourth Quarter
After taking a two-point lead, Kansas City forces the Bengal offense back off the field in five plays. Mahomes and the offense take over starting at their 31. On 3rd & 1, Kansas City converts on a five-yard run by Pacheco. Two plays later, Mahomes delivers a 10-yard yard to Kelce to convert on 2nd & 10. After three short runs by Pacheco and two scrambles by Mahomes, the Chiefs move up to the Bengal 29. Three plays later, Butker nails in a 48-yard kick for his fifth field goal of the day to put the Chiefs out in front 22-17 with 6:22 left in the fourth.
Desperate to get something going, the Bengals take over at their 25 and are met with a heavy pass rush. Mike Danna forces Browing to throw an awkward pass that falls to the turf, which results in an intentional grounding penalty that backs the Bengals up 10 yards.
Following a three-yard pass to Chase that brings up 3rd & 17, Browning drops back and is sacked by defensive end George Karlaftis, forcing the Bengals to punt after five plays.
Kansas City retakes possession at the Bengal 36. Mahomes handed the ball to Pacheco on consecutive plays that gained two total yards. After a seven-yard pass to Rice, the Chiefs set up Butker for his sixth field goal, which he sends through from 46 yards.
Cincinnati’s final offensive possession went 13 yards in 10 plays before turning the ball over on downs and Kansas City took over to run out the remaining 1:07 on the clock to take home a 25-17 victory.
Final
Kansas City’s win over Cincinnati improves their record to 10-6 on the season and cinches the AFC West for the eighth consecutive season. Mahomes finished the game 21/29 for 245 yards passing and one touchdown. Pacheco rushed for 130 yards on 18 carries and caught seven passes for 35 yards and a touchdown. Rice finished with five receptions for 127 yards receiving, and Kansas City’s defense finished with six sacks.
