Super Bowl-bound Bengals stun Chiefs 27-24 in thrilling AFC Championship OT nail-biter
ByKelli Dugan, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) walks off the field during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (Eric Gay/AP)
ByKelli Dugan, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
The Bengals struggled early on offense, trailing the Chiefs 21-3 at the close of the first quarter but stormed back to tie the game at 21 on a two-point conversion in the last seconds of the third quarter.
What a play. Chase comes down with the TD. 2 point try. THIS GAME IS TIED.
The Chiefs then fell behind by three in the fourth quarter, requiring a last-second field goal to send the game to overtime.
According to WHIO, Sunday’s win marks the third time that the Bengals have advanced to pro football’s biggest game, but only the first time they’ve done so since 1989. The Bengals had two Super Bowl runs in the 1980s, advancing to Super Bowl XVI in 1982 and Super Bowl XXIII in 1989.
The AFC Championship has only gone into overtime once since 1970, Sports Illustrated reported. In that 1986 matchup, the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns were tied at 20–20 in regulation. Denver scored on a field goal to take the win, advancing to Super Bowl XXI where they fell to the New York Giants, 39–20.
The Bengals await the winner of the NFC Championship game between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams. Pending the outcome, the Bengals either get a Super Bowl rematch, or will play the Rams on their home field, WHIO reported.
According to The Associated Press, only a couple special teams players were alive and head coach Zac Taylor was in elementary school when the Bengals beat the Buffalo Bills in January 1989 in their last trip to a conference championship game.
Super Bowl LVI will be played Sunday, Feb. 13 at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium.
Chiefs-Bengals Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson (2) kicks a 31-yard field goal during overtime in the AFC championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. The Bengals won 27-24. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Paul Sancya/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) scores on a 41-yard touchdown reception between Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Nick Bolton (54) and cornerback L'Jarius Sneed (38) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) (Ed Zurga/AP)
Chiefs-Bengals Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson (2) celebrates with teammates after kicking a 31-yard field goal during overtime in the AFC championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. The Bengals won 27-24. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (Eric Gay/AP)
Chiefs-Bengals Cincinnati Bengals players celebrate at the end of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. The Bengals won 27-24 in overtime. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (Charlie Riedel/AP)
Chiefs-Bengals Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson (2) celebrates with teammates after kicking a 31-yard field goal during overtime in the AFC championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. The Bengals won 27-24. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (Eric Gay/AP)
Chiefs-Bengals Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson (2) celebrates after kicking a 31-yard field goal during overtime in the AFC championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. The Bengals won 27-24. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (Charlie Riedel/AP)
Chiefs-Bengals Cincinnati Bengals players celebrate at the end of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. The Bengals won 27-24 in overtime. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (Charlie Riedel/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs onto the field before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Paul Sancya/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah (87) holds a towel to his face as he is carted off the field after after suffering an unknown injury during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (Eric Gay/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) calls a play in the huddle during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (Eric Gay/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Kansas City Chiefs mascot KC Wolf motivates fans during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game between the Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (Charlie Riedel/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) evades a tackle attempt by Kansas City Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill (22) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (Charlie Riedel/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (17) catches a 3-yard pass for a touchdown during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (Eric Gay/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass to running back Jerick McKinnon (1) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) (Ed Zurga/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (17) celebrates with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, right, after catching a 3-yard touchdown pass during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (Charlie Riedel/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) breaks a tackle attempt by Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton (21) after catching a pass during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Paul Sancya/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) walks off the field during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (Eric Gay/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks to pass during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (Charlie Riedel/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) tries to break a tackle by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) after catching a pass during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (Charlie Riedel/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson, center, celebrates with teammates after kicking a 32-yard field goal during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (Charlie Riedel/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) tries to break a tackle by Cincinnati Bengals safety Vonn Bell, left, during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (Charlie Riedel/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (17) celebrates after catching a 3-yard touchdown pass during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) (Ed Zurga/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Kansas City Chiefs middle linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (50) celebrates during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) (Ed Zurga/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) runs from Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Tershawn Wharton (98) during a 41-yard touchdown reception in the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) (Ed Zurga/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill, center, catches a pass short of the end zone between Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) and cornerback Eli Apple, right, during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Paul Sancya/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and Chiefs offensive tackle Andrew Wylie (77) congratulate Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (17) after his touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of the NFL AFC Championship football game, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022 in Kansas City, Mo.. (AP Photos/Reed Hoffmann) (Reed Hoffmann/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates after catching a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (Charlie Riedel/AP)
2022 AFC Championship: Chiefs-Bengals Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) celebrates after scoring on a 41-yard touchdown reception during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) (Ed Zurga/AP)
