Chiefs got 2nd chance to redo third down attempt in 4th quarter; Here’s why

KANSAS CITY, MO — Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor was visibly upset after it appeared the Kansas City Chiefs got a free play in the early moments of the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, according to our news partner WCPO in Cincinnati.

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A completed pass on third down by Patrick Mahomes to tight end Travis Kelce was stopped short of the first down, which would have prompted a fourth down and forcing the Chiefs to punt.

The officials blew a dead ball after the Bengals thought they had stopped the Chiefs’ drive. Video replay showed a line judge did indeed rush in to waive off the play before the snap because the clock was running when it should not had been, WCPO said.

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Following the the sideline confusion and back-and-forth with the refs, the Chiefs were awarded a third down a do-over.

The Bengals thought they had supposedly stopped them again after sacking Mahomes but cornerback Eli Apple was called for a defensive holding penalty. Cincinnati did stop the Chiefs and they eventually punted.

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Cincinnati turned it over on their next series when Joe Burrow was intercepted. The teams exchanged punts but the Chiefs got the ball back with 30 seconds remaining.

They drove to the Bengals 27-yard line and Harrison Butker’s 45-yard field goal won the game for Kansas City, sending them to the Super Bowl. The Chiefs won, 23-20, for their third trip to the Super Bowl in four years.

Kansas City will play Philadelphia in the Super Bowl on February 12 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona at 6:30 p.m.

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AFC Championship - Cincinnati Bengals v Kansas City Chiefs KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 29: Joshua Williams #23 of the Kansas City Chiefs intercepts a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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