The Kansas City Chiefs improved to 2-0 after winning 26-25 in a thriller at Arrowhead Stadium against the Cincinnati Bengals. The two teams exchanged leads four times in the second half, including on the final play, where kicker Harrison Butker converted a 51-yard field goal to win the game for the home side.
However, the game-winning kick was set up in controversial circumstances. On a 4th-and-6 play, Mahomes had seemingly gotten the Chiefs into field goal range with a pass to wide receiver Rashee Rice. However, the play was called back due to an illegal hands-to-the-face penalty on Kansas City’s offensive line making the task even more arduous for the quarterback.
On 4th-and-16, Mahomes threw another pass to Rice but it was broken up by rookie Daijahn Anthony, seemingly ending the game. However, the referee on the sideline threw a penalty flag for defensive pass interference, gifting 29 yards to the Chiefs. They ran the clock down to three seconds before Butker hit the game-winner.
Fans on social media were split about the pass interference call. Some claimed they were surprised that Mahomes and the Chiefs were bailed out, while others argued the referees made the right call:
Some blamed the Bengals for their indiscipline late in games, but a few others believe the referees were biased towards the Chiefs:
“Bengals seeing their team commit another clear and obvious penalty late vs the Back to Back Super Bowl Champion Chiefs.” – Wrote @AuburnEinstein
“Swifty refs arent even hiding it anymore” – Remarked @chiefmarrr
“At this point why even play the games, just give the Chiefs the win, you’re going to give them the game anyway” – Opined @Jmike_Rockaway
“Everyone is ignoring the penalty right before but hey people love to hate” – Said @DinnerIsDelayed
Bengals playoff odds sink dramatically after Week 2 loss vs. Chiefs
The Bengals will consider themselves unlucky to be 0-2. Had a couple of plays gone their way, they could’ve easily been 2-0 against the New England Patriots in Week 1 and the Chiefs on Sunday.
However, the reality is that they are winless through two games, which is usually a death sentence for a team’s playoff hopes. Since the NFL adopted the new playoff format in 2020, only two teams have made it to the postseason after starting 0-2.
The Bengals were the first team to achieve that feat in the 2022 season. They won 12 of their remaining 15 games to win the AFC North. The Houston Texans are the only other team to advance to the playoffs after an 0-2 start since the 2020 season. They won the AFC South division title with a 10-7 record.
Cincinnati will back themselves to repeat their heroics from the 2022 season. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Cleveland Browns are better teams than they were in 2022. The Bengals will have their work cut out if they want lightning to strike twice.
