CINCINNATI -- It's not a fluke when the same team keeps winning. A decided underdog entering Sunday's game, the Bengals rallied from behind to post a 27-24 win over the Chiefs. The win was the Bengals' third straight over Kansas City after defeating the Chiefs twice this past January.
Cincy improves to 8-4, while the loss drops Kansas City to 9-3.
The Bengals overcame several self-inflicted errors. Trailing 24-20, Cincinnati got a big play after Germaine Pratt forced a fumble of Travis Kelce near midfield. The turnover set up Joe Burrow's game-winning touchdown pass to Chris Evans with 8:54 left.
A sack by fellow linebacker Joseph Ossai on the Bengals' ensuing defensive drive led to Harrison Butker's missed field goal attempt of 55 yards. Burrow then completed several clutch throws while keeping Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' offense on the sideline.
The Bengals took a quick 14-3 after scoring touchdowns on their first two drives. Burrow scored on a four-yard keeper before firing a 12-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins less than two minutes into the second quarter. Kansas City got off the mat to make it a four-point game when Jerick McKinnon scored on a 2-yard pass from Mahomes on third-and-goal.
Bengals Pro Bowl wideout Ja'Marr Chase, back after a four-game absence, announced his return with a 40-yard catch on Cincinnati's ensuring possession. The big play yielded no points, however, as former Bengal Carlos Dunlap knifed through the line and stuffed Trent Taylor for a loss on fourth-and-goal after Cincinnati tried a jet sweep. The stop prevented Cincinnati from adding to its 14-10 lead at intermission.
Kansas City took its first lead after Isiah Pacheco capped off the first drive of the second half with an 8-yard touchdown run. The Chiefs extended their lead to 24-17 after Mahomes scored on a 1-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-goal on Kansas City's ensuing drive. The Bengals then had to settle for a field goal after Tyler Boyd dropped a sure touchdown pass.
The Bengals, who inched closer with an Even McPherson field goal on their next drive, got a momentum-changing turnover when Pratt's forced and recovery of Kelce's fumble a minute into the fourth quarter. The turnover set up Burrow's go-ahead touchdown pass to Evans with 8:54 left.
Here's a closer look at what transpired in Cincinnati.
Why the Bengals team won
Cincinnati overcame its mistakes while capitalizing on the ones it forced. The Bengals' offense forged ahead following Dunlap's fourth-down stop and Boyd's touchdown drop. Helping matters was the return of Chase, who caught seven passes for 97 yards. Burrow, who enjoyed stellar protection, was also aided by Samaje Perine, who rumbled for 106 yards on 21 carries.
The Bengals' defense came up with two of the game's biggest plays. Pratt's forced fumble set up the go-ahead score. Ossai's sack on the Bengals' ensuing defensive possession set up Butker's missed field goal.
Why the Chiefs lost
The Chiefs' defense were unable to make the Bengals' offense one dimensional. The unit failed to force a turnover while allowing the Bengals to rack up 431 yards of total offense. Offensively, the Chiefs failed to get Kelce involved in the offense. The perennial Pro Bowl had no catches in the first half and finished with 56 yards on four catches.
Turning point/play of the game
Pratt's fumble gave momentum back to the home team. It was the first of two big plays by Bengals linebackers during the game's final quarter.
Quotable
"I would have cared a lot more if he knew what he was talking about." -- Burrow on Chiefs safety Justin Reid saying last week that he was going to "lock down" Tee Higgins, among other things
What's next
The Bengals will host the battle of Ohio next Sunday against Cleveland. The Browns are the only AFC North team Burrow has yet to defeat. The Athens, Ohio native fell to 0-4 against the Browns after the Bengals fell in Cleveland on Halloween.
Kansas City will head to Denver for the second of its three-game road trip. Broncos fans may start referring to Mahomes as the Boogeyman as he is perfect in nine starts against Denver.