Cincinnati Bengals (8-4) – Kansas City Chiefs (9-3): 27-24
The last time the Bengals and Chiefs faced off, Von Bell ended Kansas City’s last possession with a most timely interception. A series concluded by field goal later, Cincinnati won 24-27 and validated its ticket for the Super Bowl. Their reunion, this Sunday, in Week 13, had everything of a playoff meeting. Von Bell himself promised it before the game “There’s not much to say. We know what awaits us. Our guys will be ready”.
If Ja’Marr Chase (7 receptions, 97 yards) was making a comeback, in an offensive squad much less moribund than the one he left in Week 6, Joe Mixon was missing for the second back-to-back game, still in concussion protocol. Result, Samaje Perine (21 races, 106 yards, 6 receptions, 49 yards) again put on his titular runner costume efficiently, from the first series (3 races, 15 yards, 1 reception, 11 yards). What put Joe Burrow (25/31, 296 yards, 2 TDs, 11 races, 46 yards, 1 TD) in position to open the scoring, with his fifth rushing touchdown of the season. Von Bell was right, the Bengals were ready.
Response from the shepherd to the shepherdess… Or almost. With Isiah Pacheco (14 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 16 yards) delivering an astonishing imitation of his tabby counterpart (2 carries, 21 yards and 2 receptions, 16 yards) to bring the Chiefs to 8 yards from the in-goal of the Bengals. A long drive that Patrick Mahomes (16/27, 223 yards, 1 TD, 2 races, 9 yards, 1 TD) will not manage to convert into a touchdown, but allowing Harrison Butker to open the scoring for his team (7- 3).
If we had to use the pugilistic metaphor, it is indeed a heavyweight fight that we were dealing with. No great flights, no fireworks, but two opponents gauging the strength of the other, sending a jab here and there to mark his territory. At the start of the 2nd quarter, this direct took the form of Tee Higgins (3 receptions, 35 yards, 1 TD). First reception of the match for him, not the most scoring of his career, touchdown. It’s not as dramatic as an uppercut, but it hurts. Barely two series and already 14 points on the scoreboard for Cincinnati, thus confirming the rebirth of its attack, which seems ready for the winter games.
crossover
Opposite, it took an attempt on 4th & 4 to finally start the machine against a Bengals defense making the slightest gain difficult. Thirty-two yards further, Jerick McKinnon (8 races, 51 yards, 2 receptions, 9 yards, 1 TD) was going to register his second touchdown of the season… at reception of course. The Chiefs running back has not scored in the run since the 2020 season, when he played for the Niners. But the main thing is elsewhere, six points plus one which makes seven. There is a match.
And as a symbol, the former Bengal Carlos Dunlap sounded the first shot of his former teammates, with a saving stop on the 4th attempt. Too bad for Ja’Marr Chase’s salient effort before that.
Carlos Dunlap with a massive play against his former teampic.twitter.com/G7CoSBiMoM
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 4, 2022
Remaining in the locker room, the banal Mahomes gave way to the Mahomes candidate for a second MVP trophy. Moments, at least. Third and long, receiver marked with two, no problem: 42 yards, full axis. The magic found, Isiah Pacheco reaps the rewards at the end of the series, going there from his touchdown. Kansas City takes the lead for the first time in the game (14-17).
To our missteps
Pupil Tyler Boyd (4 receptions, 60 yards), on the board. What is the evening lesson? When you have your opponent on the ropes, you have to knock him out. Understand that a rookie drop on a done touchdown can and will be held against you. What should have been six points for the Bengals turns into three. Missouri sharks smell blood in the water and attack. A tad less explosive without Tyreek Hill, these Chiefs are more resilient and less predictable. This Sunday, it was the turn of Isiah Pacheco and Jerick Mckinnon to shine. The perfect supporting roles to headlining Mahomes, who will score on the ground… Or in the air, it depends. (17-24)
Student Travis Kelce, on the board. Same lesson. An unwelcome fumblewhen you’re about to knock out a team of Cincinnati’s caliber, is immediately penalized (27-24). These Bengals are also resilient. Resilient and on a dynamic that could not be more positive. So when Harrison Butker misses the kick of the equalizer, Burrow and his clique run out the remaining 3 minutes 19 with mastery. As in the last conference final, as in their last regular season opposition, the Bengals beat the Chiefs by three small points. But in the NFL, there are no small victories, only victories.
End of series for the Chiefs who remained on five consecutive victories and see the Bills come back on them for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Bengals, they are based on the Ravens in the AFC North. And let it be said, they look more and more like the team that surprised their world last January. Surprisingly, there will be no more. AFC, you have been warned.
