The Chiefs are out for revenge against the Bengals, who stunned the football world by overcoming an 18-point deficit and winning at Arrowhead Stadium in last year’s AFC title game.
While Kansas City is hosting the game for the fifth consecutive year, the Chiefs have had to fight for their status as favorites. With Patrick Mahomes battling through a high-ankle sprain, oddsmakers and the nation seem split on which team should be favored heading into the latest showdown between two of the game’s brightest young talents.
Joe Burrow and the Bengals are coming off a statement win over the Bills in the divisional round. Playing in snowy conditions, Cincinnati controlled the game in all facets despite entering as an underdog.
MORE: Bengals sticking with underdog mantra ahead of AFC championship vs. Chiefs: ‘They’re still the team to beat’
The Bengals have thrived on the idea that they’re being overlooked, calling out the NFL for touting ticket sales for a Bills vs. Chiefs AFC championship that never happened. Whether they’re favored or not, the Bengals are certainly going into Kansas City with a chip on their shoulder.
The Chiefs are aiming to avoid a second consecutive AFC championship exit, which would be a major disappointment after they snagged the top seed in the conference. A win would send Kansas City to the Super Bowl for the third time in four years.
The Bengals, on the other hand, are looking to return to the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year and complete last season’s unfinished business.
MORE: Watch Bengals vs. Chiefs live with fuboTV (free trial)
The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights as the Chiefs host the Bengals in the AFC Championship Game. Follow along for all of the key moments.
Bengals vs. Chiefs score
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
Bengals | 0 | 6 | – | – | – |
Chiefs | 3 | 10 | – | – | – |
Bengals vs. Chiefs live updates, highlights from 2023 AFC championship
(All times Eastern)
End of first half: Chiefs 13, Bengals 6
8:06 p.m. FIELD GOAL — The Bengals are forced to attempt a field goal with four seconds remaining. That’s a very disappointing finish to the half after a great drive, especially considering the Chiefs open the second half with the ball. One-possession game.
8:04 p.m. — Great grab by Higgins for 21 yards, but he is kept in-bounds. The Chiefs are five yards away from the end zone with limited time.
Joe Burrow 21-yd pass to Tee Higgins .. 1st & Goal#Bengals 3 #Chiefs 13 2ɴᴅ pic.twitter.com/EJ2UyDXKWA
— Sᴘᴏʀᴛs 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) January 30, 2023
8:03 p.m. — Tee Higgins picks up the first down with a catch near midfield. The Bengals use their final timeout, so they’re thinking touchdown here. 32 seconds left.
8:00 p.m. — Mixon converts a 3rd & 1 for the Bengals. Cincinnati has 39 seconds and one timeout to work with as they approach field goal range. It’ll be interesting to see how aggressive they are here.
7:57 p.m. — A wild sequence here as Bryan Cook thought he broke up a third down pass to Hayden Hurst but hit him too early. If that wasn’t a penalty, it would’ve been an interception by Juan Thornhill who caught it off the deflection. 20-yard penalty by the Chiefs.
On 3rd & 2, DPI on Bryan Cook negates his interception #Bengals 3 #Chiefs 13 2ɴᴅ pic.twitter.com/v7l9iKdp48
— Sᴘᴏʀᴛs 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) January 30, 2023
7:52 p.m. TWO-MINUTE WARNING — The Bengals open this drive from their own 4-yard line with a two-yard run. They’ll have two minutes to go 94 yards if they want to find the end zone.
7:51 p.m. — The Chiefs can’t capitalize on the opportunity as Mahomes tosses three incompletions. Kansas City is punting instead of attempting a 57-yard field goal with Butker.
7:46 p.m. INTERCEPTION — Burrow is picked off by Jaylen Watson, and the Chiefs will start with strong field position. This is a complete mess for the Bengals so far.
7th-round rookie Jaylen Watson with an INT in back-to-back weeks!
📺: #CINvsKC on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/fM5ertlhHi pic.twitter.com/JFMPoOtPpj— NFL (@NFL) January 30, 2023
Chiefs 13, Bengals 3
7:41 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — On 4th & 1, Mahomes stays patient and finds Kelce in the end zone. The Chiefs finally turn a red zone opportunity into a touchdown and are in front by double-digits.
Mahomes. Kelce. Every time.
📺: #CINvsKC on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/fM5ertlhHi pic.twitter.com/kx2V7tBfjO— NFL (@NFL) January 30, 2023
7:39 p.m. — Mahomes is taken down for no gain on 3rd & 1, but it sure looks like the Chiefs are going for it. No surprise.
7:37 p.m. — The Chiefs are rolling right now. After back-to-back first downs, Marquez Valdes-Scantling catches a downfield pass for 29 yards. Kansas City is approaching the red zone.
MAHOMES TO M-V-S 🔥
📺: #CINvsKC on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/fM5ertlhHi pic.twitter.com/lWtDzf5PmB— NFL (@NFL) January 30, 2023
7:33 p.m. — Everything feels like a chore for the Bengals’ offense right now, but the raw talent of Burrow and his receivers is what has allowed Cincinnati to gather some momentum. Let’s see if the Bengals can establish some kind of running game the rest of the way.
Chiefs 6, Bengals 3
7:31 p.m. FIELD GOAL — McPherson drills a 30-yard attempt. He’s had some success in this building before. Bengals can’t take full advantage of the red zone opportunity but have something to show for it.
7:30 p.m. — A well-covered Hayden Hurst can’t come up with a third down pass by Burrow in the end zone. Great throw, but the Bengals will have to try a field goal.
7:28 p.m. — Another big gain by Boyd. He’s doing a terrific job against McDuffie and suddenly has the Bengals in the red zone.
7:26 p.m. — Wow, tremendous job by Tyler Boyd to shake off McDuffie and get open for a first down catch. The Bengals badly needed that.
On 3rd & 14, Joe Burrow 16-yd pass to Tyler Boyd .. 1st Down#Bengals 0 #Chiefs 6 2ɴᴅ pic.twitter.com/gLma4fxmpH
— Sᴘᴏʀᴛs 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) January 30, 2023
7:26 p.m. — Burrow gets sacked for a fourth time, this time by George Karlaftis. He had some time there but couldn’t find an open receiver. That one happened in slow motion.
Karlaftis joins the party! The @Chiefs‘ fourth sack of the half.
📺: #CINvsKC on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/fM5ertlhHi pic.twitter.com/Le8sm4otGX— NFL (@NFL) January 30, 2023
7:24 p.m. — Samaje Perine, who dominated the Chiefs in Week 13, muscles forward for a key first down.
Chiefs 6, Bengals 0
7:19 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Butker drills the 24-yard attempt to extend the Chiefs’ lead. The Bengals’ defense has held up well enough, but Cincinnati is playing with fire.
End of first quarter: Chiefs 3, Bengals 0
7:15 p.m. — Mahomes is pressured and completes to Kelce on 3rd & Goal, but it’s too short to think about going for it. Butker is coming on for another field goal attempt, this one from even shorter range.
7:12 p.m. — Pacheco rumbled into the end zone, but a holding call on Andrew Wylie brings it all back…
7:11 p.m. — McKinnon has the Chiefs inside the Bengals’ 10-yard line. Big opportunity here.
7:10 p.m. — That’s an interesting one. Kelce grabs a first down and then tries a designed lateral to Jerick McKinnon, but McKinnon can’t come up with it and has to land on it.
Andy Reid already dialing up the Hook & Ladder 🪜
📺: #CINvsKC on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/fM5ertlPwQ pic.twitter.com/d1EMiW4Htt— NFL (@NFL) January 30, 2023
7:08 p.m. — Mecole Hardman just barely gets a first down on 3rd & 1. The Chiefs are inching into field goal range and hoping for more than just three points.
7:07 p.m. — Pacheco has a big role early on. He goes for 18 yards on a catch-and-run, and the Bengals are having a hard time taking advantage of Mahomes’ limitations so far.
7:02 p.m. — Burrow takes ANOTHER sack on 3rd & 18. The Bengals’ offense is completely out of sync, and the Chiefs are set to start their next drive with strong field position.
The @Chiefs defense has their third sack already! @StoneColdJones
📺: #CINvsKC on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/fM5ertlhHi pic.twitter.com/lhSzm6KbtT— NFL (@NFL) January 30, 2023
7:00 p.m. — Burrow is sacked again. What many thought would be a problem last week is becoming a problem this time around. The Bengals need to protect the quarterback better if they’re going to win.
6:59 p.m. — Nice return for the Bengals, who will start near their own 40-yard line.
Chiefs 3, Bengals 0
6:57 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Harrison Butker, reliable as always, sends one through from 43 yards. The Chiefs are in front, but the Bengals are fortunate Toney couldn’t hang onto that ball.
On 3rd & 5, Patrick Mahomes incomplete for Kadarius Toney#Bengals 0 #Chiefs 0 1sᴛ pic.twitter.com/xtYp09AfId
— Sᴘᴏʀᴛs 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) January 29, 2023
6:56 p.m. — The ruling stands. No touchdown, and that seems to be the right call based on the way the ball moves underneath Toney. The Chiefs will attempt a field goal.
6:52 p.m. — Wow, it looked like Kadarius Toney might’ve come down with a touchdown, but it’s ruled incomplete… This is going to be challenged by the Chiefs. This one is tough to see. The ball was stuck underneath Toney.
6:51 p.m. — Back-to-back 16-yard gains for the Chiefs, first on a run along the sideline by Isiah Pacheco and now with a catch by Kelce.
6:50 p.m. — Clark has made his mark in the playoffs. He’s now third in playoff history with 13 sacks.
All time playoff sacks list:
1- Willie McGinest 16.0
2- Bruce Smith 14.5
3- Frank Clark 13.0— nick wright (@getnickwright) January 29, 2023
6:48 p.m. — Kansas City heavily pressures Burrow, and Frank Clark comes up with the sack. The Bengals will punt, and they lost a lot of field position on these two plays.
Frank Clark gets through! #NFLPlayoffs @TheRealFrankC_
📺: #CINvsKC on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/fM5ertlPwQ pic.twitter.com/D6uzVMuz5q— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2023
6:47 p.m. — A false start backs the Bengals up on third down. Meanwhile, Sneed was able to walk off and is in the tent.
6:44 p.m. — Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed is down with what appears to be a head or neck injury. Didn’t look good. That would be a blow to Kansas City’s secondary.
6:43 p.m. — Burrow looks Chase’s way again but is VERY lucky he wasn’t intercepted by Trent McDuffie. That was almost a huge play.
6:42 p.m. — Burrow’s first two passes go to Chase, and the second goes for a first down. Chase got wide open there.
6:39 p.m. — The Bengals will start with the ball. They scored 3 first half points in this game last year and will have a chance to beat that on the first drive.
6:33 p.m. — We’re still a few minutes away from kickoff. Everyone seems to be bundled up, and Kelce’s back issue will be worth monitoring in this cold.
6:24 p.m. — We’re inching closer to kickoff… Something to keep in mind: The Bengals started slow in last year’s AFC title game but made excellent defensive adjustments after halftime. An early deficit won’t bury Cincinnati, even if it’s less than ideal against Mahomes.
6:16 p.m. — Joe Burrow went into Kansas City and shocked the Chiefs a year ago. A win today wouldn’t be as much of a surprise, but it would make Burrow 4-0 against Patrick Mahomes in his career.
Joe time. pic.twitter.com/ois6fV2036
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 29, 2023
6:08 p.m. — The Eagles are NFC champions, so the winner of this game will face Jalen Hurts, Nick Sirianni, and one of the NFL’s most balanced teams in Super Bowl 57.
5:40 p.m. — It’s 22 degrees in Kansas City right now, even colder than it was during the snow game in Buffalo last weekend. These quarterbacks don’t look like they’ll be impacted too heavily, though.
5:30 p.m. — Here’s how Joe Cool looked on his way into Arrowhead Stadium today.
What you all have been waiting for.@JoeyB | #RuleTheAFC pic.twitter.com/ZI9jmwZxmw
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 29, 2023
5:27 p.m. — Mahomes’ ankle is of course the other injury to monitor. Here’s how he looked during warmups a little while ago…
It’s early in Mahomes warm up, but he’s cutting and changing direction a little testing his ankle. pic.twitter.com/3n3Tbtdf2o
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 29, 2023
5:12 p.m. — Kelce is ACTIVE. His effectiveness will be worth watching, but his presence alone will draw plenty of attention from the Bengals’ defense.
5:06 p.m. — All eyes are on the status of Chiefs TE Travis Kelce, who has been dealing with back spams this week. Reports indicate he’s still likely to play, but this wasn’t even known to be an issue until late this week.
#Chiefs Travis Kelce getting a little route running in. pic.twitter.com/AxOfTCHsOG
— PJ Green (@PJGreenTV) January 29, 2023
Bengals vs. Chiefs start time
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 29
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. CT)
The AFC championship game between the Bengals and Chiefs will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. local time) from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
What channel is Bengals vs. Chiefs on today?
- TV channel (national): CBS
- TV channel (Cincinnati): WKRC-TV
- TV channel (Kansas City): KCTV
- TV channels (Canada): CTV
- Live streams: Paramount+, fuboTV (U.S.) | DAZN (Canada)
Bengals vs. Chiefs will be broadcast nationally on CBS, with Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Tony Romo (color analyst) on the call from Arrowhead Stadium.
Viewers can also stream the game on fuboTV, which offers a free trial.
In Canada, the game will air on CTV.
NFL playoff schedule: AFC & NFC championships
Sunday, Jan. 29
Matchup | Time (ET) | TV | Live stream | Tickets |
49ers vs. Eagles (NFC Championship) | 3 p.m. | Fox | FoxSports.com, fuboTV | Buy tickets |
Bengals vs. Chiefs (AFC Championship) | 6:30 p.m. | CBS | Paramount+, fuboTV | Buy tickets |
This news is republished from another source. You can check the original article here