Bengals 10 Game Win Streak Ends in AFC Title Match vs Chiefs

Date: February 6, 2023

Writer: Anthony Iles

Last week the Bengals played the Chiefs in Round 4 of their recent matchups with the Bengals leading the record 3-0. It is hard to beat a team 4 times in a row and this time Bengals had the AFC title game on the line at Arrowhead Stadium.

This game was similar to the other games against one another. It was low scoring being 3-0 at end of the first quarter Chiefs leading. Bengals momentum started shifting towards their way going into halftime. Chiefs led 13 – 6 at halftime with Higgins getting a TD in the 2nd quarter. Going into the 3rd quarter Bengals got a TD and so did the Chiefs. Score is 20 -13 Chiefs going into the 4th quarter. Bengals answer back with a TD and tie the game. 6 Minutes left….who will take the lead or will it go into OT?

During this game Mahomes had the high ankle sprain. If he was a RB or WR he would not be able to play, however, he is a QB and you can still throw and not have to sprint and run everywhere. He had to be careful on planting and throwing as well as rolling out of the pocket and running. Mahomes played solid enough to give the Chiefs a chance to win. Burrow also played solid to give the Bengals a chance to win. With 6 minutes left Bengals had the ball but were unable to get in scoring range and had to punt. Then the Chiefs had the ball and some questionable calls from the refs went towards the Chiefs way……luckily Bengals were able to withstand it and forced them to punt.

With under 3 minutes left the Bengals have the ball. There was a questionable intentional grounding call on Burrow that fortunately didn’t affect the drive as Burrow nailed Hurst on 3rd and 16 to get a huge 1st down. Now the Bengals are one medium throw away to be at the 50 yard line and with a few plays later could have McPherson kick a game winning FG once again to send the Bengals to the Super Bowl 2 years in a row……….

That scenario almost came to life but the Bengals were not able to move the ball close enough to get a first down and to the 50. They were forced to punt with 44 seconds remaining. Instead of doing a directional punt to have it go out of bounds or stay down the sideline the ball was punted down the middle……Chiefs ran it back 35 yards and near the 50 yard line with 40 seconds remaining. Bengals defense had played solid and kept the Chiefs in check. On a 2nd and 4 play with 36 seconds left Mahomes was forced to scramble to the right and as he was stepping out of bounds gaining 5 yards to get the 1st down at the 45 yard line DT Ossai barely touched Mahomes and Mahomes did a good flop to make sure the refs call the penalty. With about 16 seconds left the Chiefs gained 15 more yards on the penalty getting into field goal range for a 45 yard try. If there would have been no penalty the field goal attempt would have been over 60 yards……if that would have happened I think it would have been a hail mary play. Chiefs kicker Butker kicked the FG try and made it giving the Chiefs a 23-20 lead with 3 seconds remaining. Bengals go the kickoff but nothing happened and Chiefs win the game finally beating the Bengals.

It was a great AFC Championship matchup. I wish Burrow and the Bengals could have pulled it off to get back to the Super Bowl 2 straight years. Bengals had a 10 game win streak going into this game which was a Bengals franchise record of consecutive game win streak. Year 3 of the Burrow era was impressive and the Bengals are riding in the right direction. This team will be back and I believe they will be back in the AFC Championship game next season. Maybe they will be the #1 seed and get home field advantage for the playoffs and then get back to the Super Bowl. This Bengals group is destined for a Super Bowl victory. Just not this year.

I look forward to next season and see Burrow lead these Bengals back to the Super Bowl.

Who Dey!!!