In a thrilling Week 2 NFL showdown, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker delivered a game-winning 51-yard field goal as time expired, securing a 26-25 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Chiefs, trailing by two in the final minute, were kept alive by a controversial penalty on Bengals safety Daijahn Anthony, whose pass interference call on a fourth-down play gave Kansas City a second chance they didn’t waste.
Patrick Mahomes, who had an up-and-down performance with 151 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, led the Chiefs down the field in the closing seconds. On a critical fourth-and-16 from the Kansas City 35-yard line, Mahomes fired a pass intended for Rashee Rice. As the ball arrived, Anthony made contact with Rice, drawing a flag for pass interference and giving the Chiefs new life at the Bengals’ 36-yard line with just 38 seconds remaining. This came after Kansas City had a big fourth-down gain nullified by an earlier penalty.
Mahomes and the offense ran a couple of plays to position Butker for the long-range attempt, and with his signature calm demeanor, Butker drilled the 51-yarder. As the ball sailed through the uprights, Butker started walking off the field, knowing his kick had secured Kansas City’s second victory of the season. Chiefs fans erupted as the team celebrated another close win, following their 27-20 triumph over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.
The Bengals, now 0-2 to start the season, once again found themselves on the losing side against one of their biggest rivals. Joe Burrow threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns, both to wide receiver Andrei Iosivas, but Cincinnati’s offense couldn’t muster enough to overcome a series of missed opportunities. It marked the third straight loss for the Bengals to the Chiefs, including their bitter defeat in last year’s AFC Championship Game.
Kansas City’s defense made key plays throughout the game, including a pivotal moment in the third quarter when rookie safety Chamarri Conner scooped up a fumble and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown. The score gave the Chiefs a temporary lead and swung momentum in their favor.
Adding to the bizarre nature of the game, Chiefs offensive tackle Wanya Morris found himself in the spotlight when he caught a touchdown pass, an unusual highlight in an afternoon full of unexpected plays. However, Morris also committed a costly penalty in the final minute that nearly derailed Kansas City’s last drive, setting up the nail-biting finish.
Despite a pair of interceptions by Mahomes, the Chiefs found a way to win behind their veteran kicker, who has developed a reputation for his clutch kicks in pressure moments. The victory puts Kansas City at 2-0, with both wins coming down to the final play, while Cincinnati is left searching for answers after another frustrating loss to their AFC nemesis.
For the Bengals, Burrow’s connection with Iosivas was a bright spot, but their struggles in tight games against the Chiefs continue to haunt them. Kansas City, meanwhile, proved once again that they thrive under pressure, finding a way to win even when not at their best.
Butker’s game-winner added another chapter to the rivalry between these two AFC powerhouses, as the Chiefs continue their quest to defend their Super Bowl title in dramatic fashion.