‘Cinderella story:’ Epic comeback from NFL underdogs stuns America
The Cincinnati Bengals are heading to their first Super Bowl in 33 years following a nail-biting come-from-behind win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game.
The Bengals had to overcome an 18-point deficit against the Chiefs before eventually prevailing 27-24 in overtime courtesy of a game-winning field goal from kicker Evan McPherson. It was the second straight week the fate of the Bengals’ season came down to the foot of McPherson.
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The epic turnaround from the Bengals tied the record for the largest comeback in AFC/NFC Championship game history.
The Bengals from 18 points down, tied for the biggest Conference Championship comeback victory EVER. pic.twitter.com/vLjKe5J6rL
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 30, 2022
The Bengals 18-point comeback is tied for the 2nd-largest road comeback win in NFL postseason history.
Teams are now 4-163 all-time when trailing by 18+ in road playoff games. pic.twitter.com/zEe4xQLVcf— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 30, 2022
The Bengals’ remarkable run to the biggest event on the US sports calendar has been described as a ‘Cinderella story’ that very few saw coming, with any NFL pundits predicting they would miss the playoffs altogether.
Last season, Cincinnati went 4-11-1. That matches the fewest wins in the year prior to reaching the Super Bowl.
The Bengals are one of the greatest Super Bowl Cinderella stories ever…
Shoutout to all Bengals fans 🙌🏾— Skubie Mageza (@SkubieMageza) January 30, 2022
Cinderella story from the Bengals just keeps going, hot damn
— Janko Paunovic (@YNk) January 30, 2022
This is one of the most remarkable stories you will EVER witness in sport.
The @Bengals - who won 4 games in the whole of last season where their rookie QB did his ACL - are going to the @SuperBowl.
This is why we love sport.#Bengals #WhoDey #NFL— Mike White (@mikewhitesport) January 30, 2022
Speaking after the game, Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow expressed his delight at the opportunity next that awaits in Super Bowl LVI.
“It’s something I’m really proud of, being from Ohio,” Burrow said.
“This is something I’ve always wanted, playing in the Super Bowl, and I couldn’t be with a better group of guys.”
Bengals hang tough to earn long-awaited Super Bowl start
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor praised his team’s resilience to overcome such a daunting margin.
“We have a special team, and we’ve overcome a lot of deficits this year, we always believed in all three of our phases,” Taylor said.
“Everyone stepped up and we’re not done yet.”
The Chiefs, who were heavily favoured going into the contest, were left to rue a dismal second-half display after starting the game in impressive fashion.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed completed 18 of 21 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, as the home team raced out to a 21-3 lead at Arrowhead Stadium.
However, Mahomes could only complete 8 passes from 18 attempts for 55 yards in the second half, along with two interceptions as the Bengals came storming back into the contest to force overtime.
Three points in the 2nd Half at home is an all-time melt by golden boy Mahomes and the Chiefs.
— Joe Osborne (@JTFOz) January 30, 2022
This is an incredible choke job from Mahomes. No way around it.
— Tommy Smokes (@TomScibelli) January 30, 2022
The Chiefs won the toss in the extra period, but Patrick Mahomes threw an interception on third-and-10, giving Cincinnati the ball at their 45.
“Usually when you lose a coin flip to those guys, you're going home,” Burrow said post match.
“But our defense really stepped up and made plays in the second half. And on offense, we made plays when we had to.”
The Bengals will now play the winner of the NFC Championship game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on Monday morning February 14 (AEDT).
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