The talk around the AFC Championship Game all week was the weather. Forecasts called for frozen tundra-like conditions early in the week, which drove the over/under from 59.5 down to 54.5.
But as we got closer to Sunday, the forecast began to clear up a bit with the temperature rising to about 21 degrees at kickoff, raising the total in the process.
The total closed at 56.5, and the under was looking like a real safe bet … until the fourth quarter.
Fourteen total points were scored in the first half (all of which by New England). And even through three quarters, the under looked promising. The Patriots led the Chiefs, 17-7, and had complete control of the game — even with Kansas City driving — with only 15 minutes to play.
The fourth quarter opened with a defensive pass interference call and a Chiefs touchdown, and even at this point, we were still 25 points off from the total.
But then a turnover on downs and punt followed the Chiefs' touchdown. The Patriots had the ball with a 17-14 lead and eight minutes to play when all hell broke loose:
- A Tom Brady pass intended for Julian Edelman was intercepted, leading to a quick Kansas City touchdown: 21-17 Chiefs.
- New England does … New England things. A 10-play, 75-yard drive for a touchdown: 24-21 Pats.
- The Chiefs strike back in five plays: 28-24 Chiefs.
- The Patriots strike back in six plays and cash the over with a little more than 30 seconds to play: 31-28 Patriots.
- Patrick Mahomes gets Kansas City into field goal range. Chiefs tie it at 31.
- Patriots win, 37-31, in overtime.
Perhaps the most amazing part is the fact that the over ended up cashing with one more possession to play, which also ended up in points.
The Patriots and Chiefs combined to score 38 total points in the fourth quarter, tied for the most points scored in any quarter of a postseason game.
Harrison Butker's field goal brings the fourth quarter total to 38 points, the most EVER in a championship game.
It ties the 4th quarter of last season's Jaguars-Steelers game for the most combined points in *any* quarter of a postseason game. #NEvsKC#STATSInsights
— Stats By STATS (@StatsBySTATS) January 21, 2019
Under bettors thought they were going to escape Championship Sunday with two unders, but Arrowhead Stadium had another thing coming.
