The Kansas City Chiefs are in the Super Bowl matchup for the third time in four years.
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Quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ team defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in the US Finals at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday night.
This is a rematch for the Chiefs, who were beaten by the Ohio club in the same stage of the playoffs last year.
It was Harrison Butker who gave the crowd favorites the win. With three seconds remaining, the kicker completed a 45-yard field goal. It was his third success in this game.
However, it should be noted that returnee Skyy Moore brought back a clearance from the Bengals at 29 yards to give the Chiefs attack favorable position with 30 seconds remaining on the scoreboard. A penalty from Joseph Ossai at the defensive end also helped Butker complete a shorter kick.
Before the series that led to the Chiefs’ win, the Bengals had the ball and a golden opportunity to take the lead. However, Kansas City’s defense held its own, particularly with a key quarterback sack from Chris Jones in third. It was the second time he knocked down Joe Burrow in that game.
The Chiefs were never behind in that duel, but the Bengals found a way to come from behind and level the game twice.
Mahomes, still in visible pain from the ankle sprain he sustained last week, threw two touchdown passes. His targets in the paying zone were tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The latter had a strong game with six catches for 116 yards. He also saw his workload increase when JuJu Smith-Schuster fell in battle.
For the Bengals, Burrow completed 26 of 41 passes he attempted for 270 yards and a major. He was also the victim of two thefts. Cincinnati’s formation was damaged by scooping nine penalties for 71 yards.
The Chiefs will face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, which will be played on February 12 at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Kansas City organization triumphed in Super Bowl LIV (2019) but lost the flag in the next (2020).