NFL: Kansas City will face Philadelphia in the Super Bowl

The Chiefs of Patrick Mahomes, heroic despite a painful right ankle, defeated the Bengals (23-20) at the end of the suspense, Sunday in Kansas City, and will play the 5th Super Bowl in their history, against Philadelphia on February 12.

It was Harrison Butker's boot, three seconds from the siren, which delivered the fans present at Arrowhead Stadium, after a very close and indecisive meeting.

And Mahomes, holding his place a week after spraining his right ankle against Jacksonville, made that epilogue possible.

Despite the pain that woke up in the second half, he found the strength to run nine yards to bring Butker close enough to the poles, at 45 yards all the same.

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Previously, the Chiefs quarterback had shone with his throws, first finding his favorite receiver Travis Kelce who did not disappoint him for the first touchdown (13-3) in the second quarter.

He then sent the ball into the hands of Marquez Valdes-Scantling to regain the lead (20-13) in the third quarter.

Pride by Joe Burrow

His rival, Joe Burrow was manhandled in the first act, conceding no less than four sacks (tackles).

But he showed pride and a great talent to revive himself and his team with him.

He first found Tee Wiggins on touchdown, on a 27-yard pass, which resulted from a first equalizer (13-13), then Ja'Marr Chase to gain 35 yards gained, preamble to a running touchdown by Samaje Perine (20-20).

We were then playing the beginning of the last quarter, and Burrow seemed to have taken the upper hand in his duel with Mahomes.

It was without counting on the defense of the Chiefs, who knew how to tighten the noose on him, with a new interception then another sack.

With 41 seconds to play, Skyy Moore managed a comeback from 29 yards on the dismissal at the foot of the Bengals and Mahomes to find inspiration for the result that we know.

He will have to take advantage of the two weeks that separate him from the Super Bowl, to rest and heal himself, if he wants to offer Kansas City a second Super Bowl in three years.