Chiefs lose AFC Championship after brutal offsides penalty overturns potential game-winning interception in final minute
- The Patriots defeated the Chiefs 37-31 in overtime in the AFC Championship, earning their third straight trip to the Super Bowl.
- For a moment, it looked as though the Chiefs had sealed the game with an interception late in the fourth quarter, but the play was called back after an offsides penalty.
- The Patriots took advantage, scoring a go-ahead touchdown and eventually winning the game in overtime.
The New England Patriots are heading to the Super Bowl for the third straight year after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 37-31 in overtime in the AFC Championship.
It was a game full of wild momentum swings, including dramatic replays, and not one, but two clutch touchdown drives from Tom Brady and the Patriots offense.
But the one moment the Chiefs will likely have the hardest time letting go of came late in the fourth quarter when an unnecessary offsides penalty cost the Kansas City defense what was likely the game-winning interception.
Patrick Mahomes drove the Chiefs offense down the field to take a 28-24 lead with just over two minutes left on the clock, setting the stage for Brady to drive the field and win the game in the final seconds.
After a few quick completions got the Patriots into Chiefs territory, the outcome felt all but inevitable, until Charvarius Ward picked off a ball tipped by Rob Gronkowski, momentarily sealing the game for Kansas City.
Unfortunately for Chiefs fans, it wasn't meant to be, as linebacker Dee Ford had lined up offsides on the play, giving the ball back to the Patriots.
The Patriots would go on to finish the drive with a touchdown. Mahomes would rally the Chiefs offense into field goal range to tie the game just before the end of regulation to force overtime, but in the extra period the Patriots won the toss, elected to receive, and drove for another touchdown without ever giving the Chiefs and chance to win the game.
The Chiefs were about as close as you can be to an AFC Championship win, but thanks to a bone-headed penalty and another clutch performance from Brady, it's the Patriots who will be playing in the Super Bowl.
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