Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals make NFL history with win over Chiefs

The Cincinnati Bengals did the unthinkable on Sunday, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl. After 34 years, the longtime franchise will be back in the big game, looking to clinch their first NFL championship in history.

For the team two teams, it was the second matchup between them this season, also meeting in Week 17. Both ended with the Bengals on the winning end after being down by double digits at one point during the game. It’s the first time that has been done in NFL history against the same team in one season.

“No team in NFL history has overcome a halftime deficit of 10+ points to win in multiple games against the same opponent in a single season (including playoffs),” the official NFL Research account said on Twitter. “The Bengals trailed KC by 11 at halftime in Wk 17 (won 34-31) … and trailed by 11 at halftime of the AFC Championship.”

Quarterback Joe Burrow was the catalyst to the comeback, turning it on during the second half. He threw for 250 yards, two touchdowns, and what was thought to be a costly interception at the time. However, the Bengals’ defense was able to come up clutch.

Now, he will be playing in the Super Bowl against the Los Angeles Rams. Burrow has been nothing but magnificent over the closing stretch of the season, coming up in clutch moments continually for the Bengals. He has the chance to get a statue to put outside Paul Brown Stadium in process with a win on Feb. 13.

Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow explains diamond chains

Burrow showed up to his postgame press conference with some diamond chains hanging from his neck. He was asked if the diamonds in his chain were real, and the star quarterback responded by flexing his paycheck.

“They’re definitely real. I make too much money to have fake ones.”

While his quote is definitely on-brand for the swagger he’s shown since his time at LSU, it’s not a stretch to imagine Burrow has the money to make it true. As the number one draft pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Burrow’s rookie contract featured a hefty signing bonus. With an overall contract worth $36 million over four years, nearly $24 million of that was his signing bonus.

Burrow has already made roughly $26.8 million in two years as his contract continues to pay more each season. Additionally, the Bengals have a team option to keep him on his rookie contract for a fifth season.