Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs
· National Football LeagueButker hits a 51-yard winner for KC after penalty on Bengals safety keeps Chiefs alive
When Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the offense did exactly that, helped along by a pass interference call on Cincinnati safety Daijahn Anthony on fourth down in the final minute, Butker once again headed onto the field as Chiefs fans began to roar.
Rarely does he miss. And they didn’t expect him to this time.
With preternatural calm, Butker drilled the 51-yarder as time expired, giving Kansas City the 26-25 victory.
“I try to block it out,” Butker said of the crowd noise. “It’s hard not to feed off it, but I try to block it out. What I don’t like is when you’re trotting onto the field and everyone is clapping, and I’m like, ‘The game’s not over yet. I still have to make this kick.’”
Patrick Mahomes threw for 151 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, but it was his incomplete pass intended for Rashee Rice on fourth-and-16 from the Kansas City 35 that turned out to be decisive. Anthony arrived a split-second early and moved Rice from behind with his body, and flags flew with 38 seconds remaining to keep the Chiefs alive.
The penalty came just after Kansas City had a long gain on fourth down wiped out by a penalty of its own.
The pass interference call moved the Chiefs to the Cincinnati 36, and they ran a couple more plays to bleed the clock for the big-legged Butker, who turned around and started walking off the field even before his kick went through the uprights.
“You know, it’s one of those plays where we might benefit from that at some point this season. That’s what I told the guys,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said of the pass interference call. “They’re calling it like they see it. I thought they called a very fair game, and they saw that as a penalty. So they called a penalty.”
Joe Burrow threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns, both to Andrei Iosivas, as the Bengals (0-2) came up empty against one of their biggest nemeses for the third straight time. That includes a loss to Kansas City in the AFC championship game.
Chamarri Conner returned a fumble 37 yards for a touchdown for the Chiefs, and big offensive tackle Wanya Morris — who had the penalty that nearly cost them in the final minute — had a touchdown reception on a day full of bizarre plays.
It was the second win for Kansas City decided on the final play after its 27-20 victory over Baltimore on opening night.
“That’s two great football games we’ve played the last two weeks, teams we played in the AFC championship game,” Mahomes said. “We’re going to clean up the mistakes, especially on the offense. It starts with me. And we’ll be a better team for it.”
The Chiefs struggled in their first game with Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, who had nine catches for 111 yards and a score. And with Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins absent with an ailing hamstring, Burrow leaned heavily on his own tight ends — Drew Sample, Mike Gesicki and rookie Erick All Jr. — to move an offense that never got going last weekend against New England.
Sample and Gesicki accounted for most of the yardage on an opening drive that produced a field goal. A few minutes later, after Mahomes was picked by Akeem Davis-Gaither, All’s catch helped set up Iosivas’ touchdown reception.
Mahomes eventually atoned for the interception when he found Rice over the outstretched fingers of Cam Taylor-Britt for a tying 44-yard touchdown pass. But otherwise, Andy Reid’s potent offense was stuck in neutral and trailed 16-10 at the half.
All that and the hijinks were just beginning.
The Chiefs pulled ahead early in the second half, when Mahomes popped a pass to his 310-pound tackle-eligible Morris for a touchdown. The Bengals answered on fourth-and-goal when Burrow connected with Iosivas for a second time, only to see Burrow get stripped a few minutes later and Conner return the fumble 37 yards for another touchdown.
Evan McPherson’s fourth field goal gave the Bengals a 25-23 lead with 5:12 to go, and their defense gave them the ball back. But the Chiefs forced a punt with 2:59 remaining, giving Mahomes and Co. the opportunity to decide the game.
“It’s pretty clear cut. It’s just simply abusive language toward a game official,” Kemp said. “I’m not going to repeat to you what he said, but there was no interpretation with the language that he used. Just abusive language.”
Chase refused to discuss the penalty in the postgame locker room, saying only: “It doesn’t feel great losing.”
“It’s OK to be emotional,” Taylor said. “I can’t see everything that’s said or done, so it’s better that I not comment on it.”
Chiefs: RB Isiah Pacheco left in the final minute and was seen in a walking boot with crutches leaving the stadium. Reid did not provide any details other than to say he would undergo tests on Monday.
Kansas City heads to Atlanta on Sunday night.
How can I watch Bengals vs. Chiefs?
- TV Channel: Bengals at Chiefs 2021-22 NFL, week 2 is broadcasted nationally on CBS and NFL Sunday Ticket - Paramount+ NFL on CBS 2021 - Try it FREE!.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
In Canada, viewers can watch Bengals vs. Chiefs on DAZN.
Scoring Summary
FG | 1st Period 10:41 | Evan McPherson 22 Yd Field Goal | |
FG | 1st Period 2:11 | Harrison Butker 19 Yd Field Goal | |
TD | 2nd Period 12:04 | Andrei Iosivas 4 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson Kick) | |
TD | 2nd Period 8:50 | Rashee Rice 44 Yd pass from Patrick Mahomes (Harrison Butker Kick) | |
FG | 2nd Period 4:19 | Evan McPherson 33 Yd Field Goal | |
FG | 2nd Period 1:33 | Evan McPherson 48 Yd Field Goal | |
TD | 3rd Period 8:21 | Wanya Morris 1 Yd pass from Patrick Mahomes (Harrison Butker Kick) | |
TD | 3rd Period 2:16 | Andrei Iosivas 3 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson PAT failed) | |
TD | 4th Period 14:40 | Chamarri Conner 38 Yd Fumble Return (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed) | |
FG | 4th Period 9:28 | Evan McPherson 53 Yd Field Goal | |
FG | 4th Period 0:00 | Harrison Butker 51 Yd Field Goal |
Statistics
CIN | KC | |
---|---|---|
18 | 1st Downs | 19 |
11 | Passing 1st downs | 7 |
6 | Rushing 1st downs | 9 |
1 | 1st downs from penalties | 3 |
4-13 | 3rd down efficiency | 1-8 |
2-2 | 4th down efficiency | 2-2 |
61 | Total Plays | 59 |
320 | Total Yards | 286 |
5.2 | Yards per Play | 4.8 |
10 | Total Drives | 9 |
246 | Passing | 137 |
23/36 | Comp/Att | 18/25 |
6.3 | Yards per pass | 5.1 |
0 | Interceptions thrown | 2 |
3-12 | Sacks-Yards Lost | 2-14 |
74 | Rushing | 149 |
22 | Rushing Attempts | 32 |
3.4 | Yards per rush | 4.7 |
2-4 | Red Zone (Made-Att) | 1-2 |
8-79 | Penalties | 4-44 |
1 | Turnovers | 3 |
1 | Fumbles lost | 1 |
0 | Interceptions thrown | 2 |
0 | Defensive / Special Teams TDs | 1 |
31:29 | Possession | 28:31 |
Game Information
Location: Kansas City, MO
Attendance: 73,558 · Capacity:
2024 AFC North Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | T | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pittsburgh | 10 | 5 | .667 | 0 | 353 | 299 |
Baltimore | 10 | 5 | .667 | 0 | 452 | 349 |
Cincinnati | 7 | 8 | .467 | 0 | 423 | 393 |
Cleveland | 3 | 12 | .200 | 0 | 245 | 380 |
2024 AFC West Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | T | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kansas City | 14 | 1 | .933 | 0 | 356 | 278 |
Los Angeles | 9 | 6 | .600 | 0 | 328 | 274 |
Denver | 9 | 6 | .600 | 0 | 363 | 281 |
Las Vegas | 3 | 12 | .200 | 0 | 264 | 390 |
NFL News
Steelers' Russell Wilson scores on 1-yard run
After being picked off in the end zone, the Steelers quarterback redeemed himself with a 1-yard touchdown run that cut the Chiefs' lead to 13-7.
Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes throws 2 TD passes early
Worthy's unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the first TD resulted in a longer PAT try, which Harrison Butker missed.
Seahawks look to boost fading playoff hopes against struggling Bears
Seattle (8-7) at Chicago (4-11)
2024 NFL Christmas games: Picks, schedule, predictions, odds
We have top storylines, bold predictions, game-plan keys and fantasy X factors for the Christmas games and Week 17's Thursday night matchup.
NFL Week 17 uniforms: Texans rock H-Town blue for Christmas
The Christmas week is bringing out notable uniforms on the field during NFL's Week 17.