In the wake of the New England Patriots‘ dynasty collapse, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals have risen to dominate the AFC stage.
Their intense rivalry, marked by thrilling AFC Championship encounters, has reshaped the conference.
While the Bengals will miss the playoffs this season, the memory of their dramatic clash with the Chiefs on January 29, 2023, lingers as a testament to their fierce competition.
The Chiefs secured a narrow 23-20 victory in that game, earning a coveted spot in the Super Bowl.
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The win was a significant moment for Kansas City, and no one celebrated it with more flair than Patrick Mahomes‘ father, Pat Mahomes Sr.
A celebration fit for a rivalry
Pat Mahomes Sr. took a playful jab at Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow during a postgame interview with KSHB-TV.
“Smoking this Joe Burrow,” Mahomes‘ father said after lighting a cigar.
“It feels great. My baby boy did what he always does. You know, he is going to show up and show out, and I’m just glad he did it.”
The cigar celebration was a tongue-in-cheek reference to Burrow‘s signature victory ritual, dating back to his LSU days when he famously lit a cigar after winning the 2019 national championship.
For Patrick Mahomes, the victory carried personal significance.
The Bengals had been a thorn in the Chiefs‘ side, having defeated Kansas City 27-24 in the previous year’s AFC Championship.
In the Netflix series Quarterback, Mahomes expressed his eagerness to face the Bengals again.
“I think we match up better versus the Bills, but I wanna play the Bengals. I just wanna play ’em. We haven’t beat ’em. I’m tired of them talking,” he said.
The Chiefs got their chance and made the most of it. Mahomes, despite playing on an injured ankle, put on a stellar performance, completing 29 of 43 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, meanwhile, struggled against Kansas City’s defense, throwing for 270 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions while enduring five sacks.
The game culminated in a dramatic 45-yard field goal by Harrison Butker with just three seconds remaining, sealing the Chiefs’ victory.
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