Bengals head to AFC championship after INT, walk-off field goal

Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson (2), center, is congratulated by tight end C.J. Uzomah (87), left, long snapper Clark Harris (46) and punter Kevin Huber (10) after kicking a field goal. Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Bengals head to AFC championship after interception, walk-off field goal

By Jordan Wolf | Last updated 1/22/22

Zac Taylor tried to call a timeout with just under 30 seconds left in Saturday's Bengals-Titans playoff game. Within a matter of seconds, he was grateful the refs didn't hear him.

Cincinnati picked off Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill with 20 seconds left, then Joe Burrow found Ja'Marr Chase to set up a game-winning field goal by Evan McPherson as the Bengals won 19-16 to advance to the AFC Championship Game.

With the game tied at 16-16, the Titans let the clock drain down after taking over with just under three minutes left. Tannehill dropped back on third down and threw past the sticks to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Eli Apple leaned forward to tip the ball in the air, and linebacker Logan Wilson pulled it in for the interception.

THE BENGALS INTERCEPT IT WITH 20 SECONDS LEFT. #NFLPlayoffs

: #CINvsTEN on CBS
: https://t.co/3uvV4E3BTI pic.twitter.com/auaffN8sY3
— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2022

On the first play after taking over at their own 47, Burrow linked up with Chase to get the Bengals down to the Titans' 34. They set it up on the right hash for the rookie McPherson, who drilled it from 52 yards out. He nailed all four field goals he attempted on the day.

EVAN MCPHERSON. A ROOKIE.

THE @BENGALS ADVANCE! #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/B6QsNNNhyX
— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2022

With the win, Cincinnati moves on to its first AFC Championship Game since 1988-89. The Bengals will either travel to Kansas City or Buffalo, depending on the winner of Sunday night's game.

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