NFL Playoffs | The Cincinnati Bengals will face the Kansas City Chiefs in the American Conference Finals

As we find ourselves: Cincinnati will join Kansas City in the American Conference final, which it had beaten at this stage last year, after its convincing qualification obtained in Buffalo (10-27), Sunday, during the play-offs of the NFL.

The Bengals, finalists of the last Super Bowl lost in Los Angeles against the Rams, will obviously not be underestimated by the Chiefs, even on their field. In January 2022, the latter had yielded (27-24) after extension, a little to everyone’s surprise. And Burrow had added a third victory in as many confrontations against Patrick Mahomes.

This duel will be an opportunity to take revenge for Mahomes, the Kansas City quarterback. But he played on one leg on Saturday, sprained his right ankle in the painfully obtained victory against Jacksonville (27-20) and will really have to be restored to remain competitive. “Two of the best players in the league, two of the best teams in the league going against each other…it’s going to be pretty fun”predicted Joe Burrow after his recital on the snowy lawn of Buffalo.

He started it on an alto note, as two of his throws found Ja’Marr Chase, then Hayden Hurst, for two touchdowns in the first quarter (14-0). Picked cold under the eyes of their player Damar Hamlin, present in the boxes and standing ovation by the fans, three weeks after the heart attack he suffered on the field of Cincinnati, the Bills reduced the mark in the second quarter- time by their “QB” Josh Allen, left on the touchdown in the race with a yard to go (14-7).

“I look forward”

But Cincinnati remained in front and well above, like Burrow still finding Chase in the end zone, without the latter fully controlling the ball. Just after this invalidated touchdown, Evan McPherson nevertheless added three points on foot (17-7).

Back from the locker room, Buffalo kicker Tyler Bass did the same, but late in the third quarter, the Bengals increased their lead with a third rushing touchdown from Joe Mixon (24-10).

In the last twelve minutes, their rearguard was intractable, notably inflicting a big “sack” (tackle) and an interception on Josh Allen. And Burrow, to salute the performance of the whole team: “It was a complete game from everyone, in attack, in defence. Our dominance lasted from start to finish, that’s what we expected. But the job is not finished, we have another big away game next week, I’m looking forward to it.”