The Kansas City Chiefs escaped yesterday’s showdown against the rival Cincinnati Bengals with a 26-25 victory.
While there’s no denying Kansas City’s resiliency and grit, even the most optimistic Chiefs fan has to admit that they were very fortunate to win the game.
Regardless, winning is the only thing that matters. It doesn’t have to be pretty. It doesn’t even have to be earned. A win is a win is a win.
Unfortunately for Kansas City, the excitement was dampened by the potential loss of their lead running back, Isiah Pacheco, who left the game with an ankle injury.
Pacheco had been a standout performer, rushing for 90 yards on 19 carries and adding 21 receiving yards on five catches, providing a much-needed spark for the Chiefs’ offense.
However, his night was cut short in the fourth quarter when he sustained an ankle injury.
Head coach Andy Reid expressed uncertainty about the severity of the injury but acknowledged it as a significant concern.
“The only major injury would be (Isiah) Pacheco with his ankle,” Reid stated. “Weāll just have to see. Heās having some tests done on it now – x-rays, all that stuff. So I donāt have anything for you exactly what it is, but he came out with the ankle.”
Adding to the worry, ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported that Pacheco was seen leaving the stadium on crutches and wearing a walking boot, suggesting the injury could sideline the 25-year-old for the foreseeable future.
Despite the win, the Chiefs faced considerable challenges, particularly on offense.
Patrick Mahomes, who is attempting to lead the Chiefs to a third consecutive Super Bowl title, had an uncharacteristically difficult night against the Bengals’ defense.
Mahomes threw for 151 yards and two touchdowns but also tossed two costly interceptions.
Meanwhile, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had a strong performance, passing for 258 yards and two touchdowns. Most importantly, he finally looked like the old “Joe Cool” who Cincinnati fans had been accustomed to.
Burrow and the Bengals nearly had the game won. If it wasn’t for the controversial pass interference call on Mahomes’ 4th-and-16 prayer, Cincy would have escaped Arrowhead with an ultra-important victory.
However, we all know how things turned out…
Harrison Butker, who has arguably passed Justin Tucker as the best kicker in the NFL, drilled a game winning 51-yard field goal and sent the Bengals home with a devastating loss.
As for Pacheco, he has become a major part of not only the Chiefs offense but their overall identity as well … Just how concerned should Kansas City be if they have to go an extended period of time without him?
In the bigger picture, do you view Burrow and the Bengals as the biggest threats to the Chiefs in the AFC?
At the end of the day, will Mahomes and company actually pull off the historic three-peat???