You know what, I think I’ve exhausted all of my thoughts, which is very rare for me. The Cincinnati Bengals are AFC champions and are heading to the Super Bowl. There they will be facing the winners of the NFC Championship Game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams, which is scheduled to kick off shortly. As it so happens, our own David Lengel will be covering that game live. Thanks to everyone who followed this liveblog of the Bengals’ improbable victory, especially all of those who contributed, and make sure to check out our game report, linked below. Ciao!
Joe Burrow’s last word: “It’s something I’m really proud of, being from Ohio… this is something I’ve always wanted: playing in the Super Bowl.”
The weirdest thing about this is that he’s completely calm while he says it. Maybe that’s the key to his success under unimaginable pressure.
“We have a special team,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor says. Every head coach says something like this, but for once this doesn’t sound like a cliche.
That was a rough loss for the Chiefs but, unless you’re a Kansas City fan, it’s probably very hard to not feel happy for long-suffering Bengals fans right now.
The last time the Chiefs made the Super Bowl was 2021. The last time the Bengals made the Super Bowl was… 1989. To pull this off, the Bengals had to come back from an 18-point deficit, which ties a championship game record, on the road.
Words are failing me here, which is very bad because having words to type is 100% my job.
The Bengals pull off one of the all-time greatest comebacks in AFC championship game history and will now face the winners of the NFC championship game in the Super Bowl!
Dehner Jr.: Bengals’ unforgettable, surreal ride continues on to the Super Bowl
The Bengals may win multiple championships. Joe Burrow looks destined to stand on this stage next to the owner and coach many more times. This team could develop into a dynasty considering the collection of young talent wearing AFC champion hats with cigar smoke billowing over the bills Sunday night.
Two weeks from now at SoFi Stadium against the Rams, the Bengals will have a chance to capture the first Super Bowl title in franchise history.
Those are stories for another day.
For now, for this improbable team, for this often-punchlined organization, for this tortured sports city, this scene instantly etched as an untouchable moment of a lifetime. You only break through once.
“It is a moment you will never be able to replicate,” Zac Taylor said. “We may get to do this again, hopefully, that is the plan certainly. I don’t know if it will ever be as special as the moment we had right there.”
January 31, 2022 at 12:58 AM EST
Joe Burrow has some gold to go with the Lamar Hunt Trophy
Asked if the jewels in his gold and diamond “JB9” chain are real, Joe Burrow told reporters with a laugh, “Theyre definitely real. I think I make too much money to have fake ones. So these are real.”
January 30, 2022 at 7:24 PM EST
End third quarter: Bengals 21, Chiefs 21
5:18 p.m.: The third quarter comes to a close with Cincinnati looking at third-and-3 from their own 32.
5:13 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN BENGALS. JaMarr Chase makes an incredible contested catch in traffic and a successful 2-point conversion ties the game up. Bengals 21, Chiefs 21 with 14 seconds left in the third. Thats 11 points in just over two minutes and an 18-0 run for the Bengals.
5:10 p.m.: INTERCEPTION BENGALS. BJ Hill picks off Mahomes on the RPO and the defensive lineman gets the interception as Cincinnati takes back over at the KC 27.
5:06 p.m.: FIELD GOAL BENGALS. It is indeed a one-score game as McPherson remains a perfect 10-for-10 in the postseason, an NFL rookie record. Chiefs 21, Bengals 13 with 2:58 left in the third.
5:05 p.m.: Could quickly become a one-score game as Evan McPherson comes out on fourth-and-goal from the 13. Should be about a 31-yard attempt.
5:03 p.m.: Burrow makes an impressive arching throw on play action to find Joe Mixon out of the backfield for 18 yards. Now first-and-goal upcoming for Cincinnati.
5:02 p.m.: Burrows pass on second-and-10 falls incomplete but it moves the chains as Kansas City gets flagged for pass interference, their first penalty of the game. First-and-10 from the KC 26 now for Cincinnati.
5:01 p.m.: What a play by Burrow. He shrugs off the sack and eventually throws on the run to find a wide open JaMarr Chase for 22 yards to the Kansas City 32.
4:58 p.m.: On third-and-1, the Bengals call a successful QB sneak to keep the drive alive. First-and-10 from their own 46 now for the Bengals.
4:53 p.m.: The Chiefs will punt and go three-and-out for the second time in the quarter. Bengals start at their own 34 looking to avoid trading three-and-outs.
4:52 p.m.: Gains of 4 and 9 yards by the Chiefs and theyre now in a more manageable spot. Second-and-6 from their own 24 upcoming.
4:47 p.m.: The big play by Higgins is negated by a three-and-out after Burrows pass on third-and-14 falls incomplete. Kansas City takes back over at its own 7.
4:44 p.m.: The Bengals first play out of halftime is a 44-yard pass to Tee Higgins as the Bengals are quickly inside the KC 40.
4:40 p.m.: A low snap on third-and-7 coupled with an overthrow to Kelce and Kansas City goes three-and-out for the first time today. Cincinnati takes back over at its own 17.
4:39 p.m.: An early first down as Mahomes hits Byron Pringle for 6 yards up to the 33 for the first.
4:37 p.m.: The Chiefs start the third quarter with the ball after deferring the opening kickoff.
FAQ
Who won the AFC championship today?
Who won the AFC championship 2022?
Did Mahomes congratulate Burrows?
How did the Bengals beat Kansas City?
