Cincinnati Bengals make first AFC Championship game in 33-years

Second-year QB Joe Burrow has turned the hapless Cincinnati Bengals around but despite a shock win, fans couldn’t help but roast an unwanted record.

Burrow will have nightmares about the rushing defence. Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has led the franchise to its first AFC Championship game in 33 years, despite being monstered the Tennessee Titans defence.

Burrow threw for 348 yards and completed 28 of 37 passes to lead the side to a 19-16 win despite being sacked and equal playoff record nine times.

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Burrow became the first QB in NFL history to lead his side to a playoff win despite being sacked so many times since the 1970 merger between the American Football League and National Football League.

The fact the Titans had nine sacks was also the tie for the most sacks in a playoff game since 1960 and it was the first Bengals divisional win on the road in the franchises’ history.

The points may have come from the boot of kicker Evan McPherson, who was the first player in NFL history to make four or more field goals in multiple games in a post-season.

The game-winner even came from a 52-yarder that McPherson never thought would miss after the third pick on Titans QB Ryan Tannehill get the Bengals in position.

“So, he was talking to Brandon (Allen) as he was going out to kick, he gave a little warm-up swing and said, ‘Ahhh, looks like we’re going to the AFC Championship’,” Burrow told the media after the game.

Burrow said McPherson had “ice in his veins”. Photo: Wesley Hitt/Getty Images/AFP

But despite McPherson’s heroics, second year QB Burrow has widely been credited with turning the franchise around.

Burrow is used to being hit, having been among the top QBs in several metrics during the regular season, but was sacked a league-high 51 times.

Social media was quick to slam the Cincinnati offensive line and became the internet’s favourite whipping boys.

Former offensive guard for the Patriots, Cardinals and Chargers Rich Ohrnberger tweeted: “Win Super Bowl or lose this game … the Bengals should spend every draft pick on the offensive line.”

the meme. it's alive. pic.twitter.com/aJSv0UEc3U

— Nora Princiotti (@NoraPrinciotti) January 22, 2022

Bengals should draft O-Line with 3/4 picks in the draft! This is ridiculous!

— Aaron Hayden (@Ran4UT) January 23, 2022

Bengals O-line when Zac Taylor asks why they aren’t blocking for Joe Burrow pic.twitter.com/WGMyWxjTH2

— Sebastian Posey (@SebastianPosey) January 23, 2022

Bengals’ O-Line shouldn’t be allowed to celebrate.. they should be taking reps RIGHT NOW

— Quentin (@SportsTalkQue) January 23, 2022

How the #Bengals o-line is protecting Joe Burrow 😅😅#Titans#RuleTheJungle#CINvsTEN

pic.twitter.com/Nr8O2iw7yv

— BetFTW (@Bet_ForTheWin) January 22, 2022

look at the RT block a ghost pic.twitter.com/u6g7RD9OuM

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 22, 2022

After the game, Burrow also appeared to admit that he would feel the strain of getting hit so many times.

“I feel good,” Burrow said in his post-game press conference. “That might not be the case tomorrow morning.”

Burrow copped some punishment. Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

But rather than pile on his protection, Burrow gave the Titans defence their dues.

“They had a great plan. They had a great rush plan,” Burrow said after the game. “Made it tough on us, made it tough on me disguising coverages and blitzes and everything and they switched it up the whole game. They didn’t stick to one thing. One thing didn’t work, they moved on to the next thing. Kept us on our toes.”

The Bengals’ first-round win last week was their first playoff victory in 31 years and now they’ll face the winner of the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs in a bid to make the franchise’s first Super Bowl since 1988 and third in its 54-year history.

— with AFP