Butker hits a 51-yard winner for KC after penalty on Bengals safety keeps Chiefs alive

Harrison Butker kicked a 51-yard field goal as time expired and the Kansas City Chiefs, kept alive by a pass interference call on Bengals safety Daijahn Anthony on fourth down in the final minute, rallied to beat Cincinnati 26-25
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Wanya Morris, left, is congratulated by teammate Joe Thuney (62) after catching a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

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Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Wanya Morris, left, is congratulated by teammate Joe Thuney (62) after catching a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Harrison Butker kicked a 51-yard field goal as time expired and the Kansas City Chiefs, kept alive by a pass interference call on Bengals safety Daijahn Anthony on fourth down in the final minute, rallied to beat Cincinnati 26-25 on Sunday.

Patrick Mahomes threw for 151 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, but it was his incomplete pass to Rashee Rice on fourth-and-16 from the Kansas City 35 that turned out to be decisive. Anthony arrived a split-second early and hit Rice from behind with his body, and flags flew with 38 seconds remaining as the crowd in Arrowhead Stadium erupted.

The penalty came just after the Chiefs had a long gain on fourth down wiped out by a penalty of their own.

The pass interference call moved the Chiefs to the Cincinnati 36, and the Chiefs ran a couple of plays to bleed the clock for the big-legged Butker, who turned around and started walking off the field even before his kick went through the uprights.

Joe Burrow threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns, both to Andrei Iosivas, as the Bengals (0-2) came up empty against one of their biggest nemeses for the third straight time. That includes a loss to Kansas City in the AFC championship game.

Chamarri Conner returned a fumble 37 yards for a touchdown for the Chiefs, and big offensive tackle Wanya Morris — who had the penalty that nearly cost them in the final minute — had a touchdown reception on a day full of bizarre plays.

It was the second win for Kansas City decided on the final play after its 27-20 victory over Baltimore on opening night.

The Chiefs struggled in their first game with Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, who had nine catches for 111 yards and a score. And with Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins absent with an ailing hamstring, Burrow leaned heavily on his own tight ends — Drew Sample, Mike Gesicki and rookie Erick All Jr. — to move an offense that never got going last weekend against New England.

Sample and Gesicki accounted for most of the yardage on an opening drive that produced a field goal. A few minutes later, after Mahomes was picked by Akeem Davis-Gaither, All's catch helped set up Iosivas' touchdown reception.

Mahomes eventually atoned for the interception when he found Rice over the outstretched fingers of Cam Taylor-Britt for a tying 44-yard touchdown pass. But otherwise, Andy Reid's potent offense was stuck in neutral and trailed 16-10 at the half.

All that and the hijinks were just beginning.

The Chiefs pulled ahead early in the second half, when Mahomes popped a pass to his 310-pound tackle-eligible Morris for a touchdown. The Bengals answered on fourth-and-goal when Burrow connected with Iosivas for a second time, only to see Burrow get stripped a few minutes later and Conner return the fumble 37 yards for another touchdown.

Evan McPherson's fourth field goal gave the Bengals a 25-23 lead with 5:12 to go, and their defense gave them the ball back. But the Chiefs forced a punt with 2:59 remaining, giving Mahomes and Co. the opportunity to decide the game.

Injuries

Bengals: DT B.J. Hill (hamstring) left in the second quarter. DT Sheldon Rankins (hamstring) left in the fourth.

Up next

Cincinnati returns home to play Washington on Sept. 23.

Kansas City heads to Atlanta on Sunday night.

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Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, left, intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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Cincinnati Bengals Zack Moss (31) runs with the ball as Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook, left, and safety Justin Reid (20) defend during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) scrambles as Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) and cornerback Dax Hill (23) defend during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, right, runs with the ball as Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

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Taylor Swift is seen in a suite during the first half of an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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Cincinnati Bengals Chase Brown runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton (81) is unable to catch a pass in the end zone as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson (2) watches his 48-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

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Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) celebrates after stopping Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) runs with the ball as Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (59) is blocked by Chiefs tight end Noah Gray (83) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) runs with the ball as Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (59) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice celebrates after scoring during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas (80) is congratulated by Ja'Marr Chase (1) after catching a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

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