Los Kansas City Chiefs have advanced to Super Bowl LVII in a dramatic way.
Kansas City outscored Cincinnati 23-20 with a Harrison Butker 45-yard field goal with eight seconds left in the last quarter. The final drive began with 30 seconds left and a Bengals penalty put them within field goal range.
This way, Andy Reid’s men reached the Super Bowl for the third time in the last four seasons. On February 12 at State Farm Stadium, the Chiefs will face the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Here are the five keys to the victory that sends the Chiefs to Super Bowl LVII.
Patrick Mahomes
Despite suffering an ankle sprain in the Divisional Round, Patrick Mahomes played the whole game against the Bengals and he did it in a good way. The Texas Tech graduate completed 29 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns. The QB showed character when he had to take punishment from the Bengals’ defensive backs on the three sacks he suffered.
chief catches
The absence of Alex Cappa and Jonah Williams did weigh on the Chiefs. Those from Kansas City recorded five sacks over Joe Burrow (26/41, 270 yards, TD, 2 INTs). The pressure paid off. Before the first-half two-minute pause, Burrow searched for Tee Higgins on a deep drive, but Jaylen Watson intercepted the pass and gained 10 yards on the return.
Reid’s Challenge
Midway through the third quarter, Andy Reid challenged the referees’ decision that gave them fourth chance and inches after a reception by Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The head coach emerged victorious and broke the tie three plays later with a 19-yard pass from Mahomes to Valdes-Scantling himself.
unnecessary rudeness
On the Chiefs’ last drive of the game, Joseph Ossai threw Patrick Mahomes from behind when the QB was off the field after a carry That prompted Harrison Butker’s 45-yard field goal that won the game for the Chiefs.
Ground Attack Substitutes
Although the Chiefs only had 42 rushing yards, Mahomes’ passes to Isiah Pacheco and Jerrick McKinnon served as substitutes for the running game. Pacheco, of Dominican descent, caught five of the six passes the QB threw his way and generated 59 yards. For his part, McKinnon caught two passes and added 19 yards.
