Kansas City, Mo. – Harrison Butker kicked a 51-yard field goal and the Kansas City Chiefs survived a pass interference call on the Bengals defense to beat Cincinnati 26-25 on fourth down in the final minute 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 proved decisive.
Anthony arrived a second early and hit Rice with his body from behind, and flags flew as the crowd erupted at Arrowhead Stadium with 38 seconds left.
The penalty came after the Chiefs had a long gain on fourth down.
A pass interference call moved the Chiefs to the Cincinnati 36, and the Chiefs ran two plays to bleed the clock for big Cal Budger, who turned and started walking off the field before his kick was even upright.
Joe Burrow threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns to Andre Iosivas as the Bengals (0-2) came up empty against one of their biggest foes for the third straight time.
It lost to Kansas City in the AFC Championship game.
Samarri Conner returned a fumble 37 yards.
It was the second time Kansas City had decided in the Finals after beating Baltimore 27-20 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 Dee Higgins out with a sore hamstring, Burrow leaned heavily on his own tight ends — Drew Sample, Mike Gesicki and rookie Eric All Jr. — to move an offense that never quite got going last weekend against New England.
Sample and Gesicki accounted for much of the opening drive that produced the field goal.
Minutes later, after Mahomes was picked off by Akeem Davis-Gaither, Als’ catch helped set up Iosivas’ touchdown reception.
Mahomes eventually atoned for the interception when Cam found Rice over Taylor-Britt’s outstretched fingers for a 44-yard touchdown pass.
But otherwise, Andy Reid’s strong performance stalled in the middle and trailed 16-10 at the half.
That and the hijinks had just begun.
The Chiefs went ahead early in the second half when Mahomes caught a pass to the 310-pound tackle-worthy Morris for a touchdown.
Burrow responded on fourth-and-goal when he connected with Iosivas for the second time, only to see Burrow stripped moments later and Conner scamper 37 yards for another touchdown.
Evan McPherson’s fourth field goal gave the Bengals a 25-23 lead with 5:12 left and their defense gave them the ball back.
But the Chiefs gave Mahomes and Co. a chance to decide the game with 2:59 left.
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