Joseph Ossai’s crucial late hit on Patrick Mahomes ended Bengals’ Super Bowl run in devastating fashion

In yet another instant classic AFC title game, the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals were deadlocked at 20 points apiece in the final moments. But, after a late Patrick Mahomes “ghost” fumble seemingly opened the door for another playoff upset at home, the Chiefs had a shot to survive and advance to Super Bowl 57.

Little did Bengals’ defender Joseph Ossai know he’d play an unfortunate role in the demise of his team’s Super Bowl hopes. (As did apparent questionable officiating.)

As Mahomes scrambled on a third and medium in the final seconds, he merely just picked up the first down. But then Ossai, clearly accidentally, gave Mahomes another shove as he was already going out of bounds. A 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness later, and the Chiefs were now in optimal position for a medium-length game-winning Harrison Butker field goal.

“Whoops” doesn’t do this miscue proper justice:

A POTENTIALLY SEASON-ENDING, AFC TITLE-DECIDING LATE HIT, JOSEPH OSSAI WHAT ARE YOU DOING??? pic.twitter.com/Qvq6nsTbjj

— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) January 30, 2023

After such a gift, all Butker had to do was kick a 45-yarder to send the Chiefs to Arizona next month. Of course, he made it through the uprights:

Harrison Butker FOR THE WIN pic.twitter.com/FI1BehfeuN

— alex (@highIightheaven) January 30, 2023

Man, that’s a tough pill to swallow for the Bengals and Ossai. It looked like Cincinnati had a legitimate chance of an upset — per bettors in the pregame and especially with Mahomes’ injury in context — but they ultimately fell short.

To come so close and almost gift the other team a Super Bowl berth with a horrendous penalty is not something you’ll live down any time soon.