KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Harrison Butker kicked a 51-yard field goal as time expired and the Kansas City Chiefs, kept alive by a pass interference call on Bengals safety Daijahn Anthony on fourth down in the final minute, rallied to beat Cincinnati 26-25 on Sunday.
Patrick Mahomes threw for 151 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, but it was his incomplete pass to Rashee Rice on fourth-and-16 from the Kansas City 35 that turned out to be decisive. Anthony arrived a split-second early and hit Rice from behind with his body, and flags flew with 38 seconds remaining as the crowd in Arrowhead Stadium erupted.
The penalty came just after the Chiefs had a long gain on fourth down wiped out by a penalty of their own.
The pass interference call moved the Chiefs to the Cincinnati 36, and the Chiefs ran a couple of 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.
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.
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 offence 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 defence 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.
Injuries
Bengals: DT B.J. Hill (hamstring) left in the second quarter. DT Sheldon Rankins (hamstring) left in the fourth.
Up next
Cincinnati returns home to play Washington on Sept. 23.
Kansas City heads to Atlanta on Sunday night.
In a thrilling Sunday night matchup, the Kansas City Chiefs secured a hard-fought victory over the Cincinnati Bengals with a game-winning 51-yard field goal from kicker Harrison Butker. The Chiefs’ 34-31 win was not without controversy, as a late penalty called on the Bengals played a crucial role in the outcome of the game.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows throughout all four quarters. The Bengals, led by star quarterback Joe Burrow, put up a valiant effort against the reigning Super Bowl champions. However, it was the Chiefs who ultimately emerged victorious thanks to Butker’s clutch kick in the final moments of the game.
Butker’s field goal capped off a stellar performance by the Chiefs’ offense, which was led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes threw for over 400 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his elite talent once again. The Chiefs’ receiving corps, including Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, also had standout performances, making big plays when it mattered most.
However, the game’s turning point came in the final minutes when a controversial penalty was called on the Bengals, giving the Chiefs a crucial first down and setting up Butker’s game-winning field goal. The penalty sparked debate among fans and analysts alike, with some questioning the officials’ decision to flag the Bengals at such a critical juncture in the game.
Despite the controversy surrounding the penalty, the Chiefs’ victory solidifies their standing as one of the top teams in the NFL. With a potent offense led by Mahomes and a defense that continues to improve week by week, the Chiefs are once again poised to make a deep playoff run this season.
As for the Bengals, they can take solace in the fact that they went toe-to-toe with one of the league’s best teams and nearly pulled off an upset on the road. With Burrow leading the way, the Bengals have shown that they are a team to be reckoned with in the AFC.
Overall, the Chiefs’ victory over the Bengals was a thrilling showcase of high-stakes football, with Butker’s game-winning field goal and the late penalty adding even more drama to an already intense matchup. As both teams look ahead to the rest of the season, fans can expect more exciting games and memorable moments to come.