Rams and Bengals advance to Super Bowl LVI

The Cincinnati Bengals' unlikely playoff run will include a chance to capture the franchise's first-ever Super Bowl title.

A heroic effort by the Bengals' defense in the second half, a steady performance by quarterback Joe Burrow and more postseason magic from kicker Evan McPherson led Cincinnati to upset Patrick Mahomes and the reigning AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 in overtime on Sunday.

The Bengals will play either the Los Angeles Rams or San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl. The NFC championship game is currently underway.

Early on, it seemed as though the Chiefs were simply too strong for the visiting Bengals, scoring touchdowns on the team's first three offensive possessions and opening up a commanding 21-3 lead.

However, despite trailing 21-10 at halftime, Cincinnati emerged from the locker room with renewed spirit, holding Kansas City scoreless for 29:57 minutes, in the process scoring 21 unanswered points to open a 24-21 lead.

On the final possession of regulation, Mahomes and the Chiefs got the ball on their own 35, and then proceeded to march the length of the field, getting as close as the Cincinnati 4-yard line. The drive stalled, however, as Mahomes was sacked on third down, precariously fumbling in the process.

Kansas City recovered the fumble, setting up Harrison Butker for the game-tying, 44-yard field as time expired. The Chiefs won the coin toss to begin overtime with possession, but a timely interception by Bengals safety Vonn Bell set up the winning drive for Cincinnati, which was completed when McPherson nailed a 31-yard field goal to end it.

Second-year Cincinnati signal-caller Burrow was in command in the extra session, calmly directing the Bengals on the eventual game-winning drive. On the afternoon, Burrow was 23-38 for 250 yards, tossing a pair of second-half TDs against one interception.

Mahomes, meanwhile, was magical in the first half before sputtering after the break. Seeking a third straight Super Bowl appearance, Mahomes finished 26-39 for 275 yards, with a trio of first-half touchdown passes and a pair of second-half interceptions, including the costly one in overtime.

The Cincinnati Bengals will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

Bengals safety Vonn Bell made a clutch interception on a deep pass from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in overtime. Cincinnati took over at their own 45-yard line and drove deep into Kansas City territory to the Chiefs' 13-yard line before bringing out kicker Evan McPherson to seal the deal.

McPherson, who has been perfect on field goals in the postseason, nailed the 31-yard attempt to win the game 27-24 and send his team to the Super Bowl.

After Cincinnati took its first lead of the game, Patrick Mahomes marched the Chiefs 84 yards right back down the field to tie the game as time ran out in regulation.

On 3rd and 2 deep in Cincy's red zone, the Chiefs picked up a massive first down. But three plays later, Mahomes lost the ball on a fumble and was lucky one of his teammates jumped on it. The Chiefs lost 15 yards on the play, forcing kicker Harrison Butker to nail a 44-yard field goal attempt to tie the game at 24 as time expired in the 4th quarter.

Those were the first points KC put on the board in the second half, and they won the coin flip to start overtime with possession.

Cincinnati is now leading at Arrowhead after scoring 21 unanswered points.

On 3rd and 6 deep in his own territory, Bengals QB Joe Burrow somehow evaded the Chiefs' D-line as they closed in for the sack and scrambled to pick up the first down. Just three plays later, facing 3rd and 7, Burrow again used his legs to pick up the first.

The Cincinnati signal-caller has run the ball himself on 3rd down four times so far today. He's picked up the first down every time.

The drive stalled out at the Chiefs' 35-yard line, though. Bengals' kicker Evan McPherson hit his third field goal of the game from 52 yards to give the visitors the lead. McPherson is now 11 for 11 kicking in the playoffs this year.

After allowing touchdowns on the Chiefs' first three offensive possessions of the game, the Bengals' defense has kept Cincy's Super Bowl dreams alive.

Cincinnati stopped Kansas City in the red zone to end the first half. Since then, Patrick Mahomes and the vaunted Chiefs offense have been kept off the scoreboard, turning the ball over once and being forced to punt four times.

The defensive effort has allowed quarterback Joe Burrows and the Bengals to rally from 18 points down, tying the game at 21-21 with less than eight minutes to play in the 4th quarter.

Kansas City cornerback L'Jarius Sneed came up with huge interception to blunt the Bengals' offensive momentum after Cincinnati had rattled off 18 straight points to tie the game.

But Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs failed to capitalize, going three-and-out on the ensuing possession.

21-21 game here in the 4th quarter.

The first turnover of the game — an interception of quarterback Patrick Mahomes by Bengals defensive lineman B.J. Hill — led to a Cincinnati touchdown and 2-point conversion to tie the AFC Championship Game at 21-21.

Quarterback Joe Burrow found star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase in the end zone for a two-yard scoring strike. The Bengals elected to go for two and the tie, and Burrow hit Trent Taylor for the equalizer, a conversion that capped 18 straight unanswered points for the visitors.

At one point, the game was 21-3 Chiefs.

The Bengals marched down the field and cut the KC lead to 8 points late in the 3rd quarter.

Cincinnati got down to the Kansas City 10-yard line. But they gave up a sack on 1st and goal, followed by two busted short pass plays.

Bengals kicker Evan McPherson hit the field goal from 31 yards, his second successful kick of the day, to make it a one-possession game.

21-13 Chiefs late in the 3rd quarter.

Whatever adjustments the Bengals' defensive staff discussed during halftime seem to be working.

After allowing three touchdowns on the first three Kansas City possessions of the opening half, the Cincy D has rallied to start the third, forcing back-to-back punts.

The Bengals still trail 21-10, but at one point in the first half it seemed as though Kansas City was going to run away en route to a third straight Super Bowl appearance. Instead, the Bengals defense is keeping the game within reach.