Bengals and Rams Win Conference Championships, and its on to the Super Bowl
The exciting, and surprising, NFL playoffs continued on January 30th with two come from behind victories including one more in overtime.
In Kansas City, the Chiefs started out easily handling the Cincinnati Bengals, with Patrick Mahomes throwing three touchdown passes in the team’s first three possessions, and leading 21-3 in the 2nd quarter. The Bengals scored a touchdown with 1:05 left to make it 21-10. The Chiefs made it all the way down to Cincinnati’s one yard line with five seconds left. Instead of kicking a near automatic field goal, Kansas City went for the touchdown. Mahomes completed a pass to Tyreek Hill, but he was stopped short and the half ended.
Cincinnati scored 14 unanswered points in the second half to take a 24-21 lead, but the Chiefs kicked a field goal as time ran out to make it 24-24 at the end of the fourth quarter. The Chiefs got the ball to start overtime, but a Mahomes pass intended for Hill was intercepted by Vonn Bell. This led to a 31 yard Evan McPherson field goal and a stunning 27-24 win for Cincinnati. The AFC Champion Bengals advanced to their first Super Bowl in 33 years. The Chiefs will go home and question that decision to go for the touchdown at the end of the first half.
Link to Highlights of Bengals-Chiefs
In Los Angeles, The Rams and San Francisco 49ers met for the third time this season, this time for the NFC crown. The 49ers won the two regular season matchups, and it looked like history was repeating itself with San Francisco leading 17-7 after three quarters. But with 13:30 left in the fourth, wide receiver Cooper Cupp scored his second touchdown of the game on a pass from Matthew Stafford. The Rams tied it on a Matt Gay 40 yard field goal with 6:49 left, and took the lead on another field goal with 1:46 left. L.A. sealed it when Travin Howard intercepted a desperation Jimmy Garoppolo pass with 1:09 left, and the Rams will go to the Super Bowl for the second time in four years. Actually, they don’t have to go anywhere, since the game will be played in their own SoFi Stadium on February 13th.
Link to Highlights of Rams-49ers
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Mark, I was shocked to see Mahomes through such a long pass in overtime. That was literally begging for an interception. I have no idea what he was thinking.
Mahomes played an astonishingly poor second half, especially for a QB who has as much playoff experience as he has. Andy Reid has to share some of the blame as well. But credit to Cincinnati for adjusting on defense, and Joe Burrow is emerging as a top level quarterback.
Mark, I agree with you about Joe Burrow. No wonder he was a #1 draft pick. At only age 25 can’t wait to see his Superbowl performance.