Bengals vs Chiefs: Handing out game balls from a nail-biter of a win in Week 2 (FULL VIDEO)

another cardiac arrest of a game, the Kansas City Chiefs enter Week 3 with a 2-0 record, and they’ve sent two members of the AFC North home with losses.
Week 2’s game ended on a 51-yard field goal by Harrison Butker, but to get the win there were quite a few key plays and players that deserve some game balls.

Let’s take a look at the players who deserve to be honored from the team’s win over the Bengals.

Player of the Game / Defensive Game Ball – Chamarri Conner, DB
The Chiefs had quite a few strong performances on defense, but none was as game-changing as that of Chamarri Conner. It all started with a strong, open-field tackle after the Chiefs’ first score of the night that stopped the Bengals receiver at the 24-yard line.

Then, after some solid coverage on defense, Conner found himself with the opportunity to score thanks to a big, rolling tackle by Tershawn Wharton and Mike Danna. Conner didn’t hesitate or wait for a whistle to call the play dead; instead, he ran straight for 38 yards and a game-changing touchdown.

Then, on the Bengals’ final drive, in the biggest moment of the game, Conner cemented his status as a bright young defender and gave the Chiefs a chance at a comeback victory. That 3rd-and-6 was when Conner’s number was called upon by Steve Spagnuolo for one of his infamous cornerback blitzes. The result was a sack of Burrow for nine yards and a forced punt.

Conner ended up with six total tackles, one for a loss, one sack, and the scoop-and-score that reignited the Chiefs to begin the fourth quarter. He definitely deserves Player of the Game along with Defensive Game Ball honors.

Honorable Mention: Leo Chenal, LB – Once again Chenal played great football for the Chiefs in an enhanced role following Willie Gay’s departure. He played well to prevent the always-deadly Bengals’ offense from doing much damage. Finished with six tackles as well.

Offensive Game Ball – Isiah Pacheco, RB
Wide receiver Rashee Rice put his second-straight stamp on a game, this time with a 44-yard touchdown over Cam Taylor-Britt of all people, but Rice had Pacheco to thank for a lot of it.

That’s because Chiefs head coach Andy Reid asked Pacheco to truly pound the ball to start off the game, forcing the Bengals’ defense into taking the Chiefs’ run game seriously.

The first three plays and 17 yards of the game went to Pacheco, and it set the tone for most of the first half. Before leaving with a leg injury late in the game, Pacheco had over 110 yards from scrimmage with 90 of them coming on the ground.

Pacheco has proved he’s one of the toughest backs in the NFL to take down once again, and he enhanced Patrick Mahomes’ ability to throw longer passes throughout the game, which led to some big plays.

Honorable Mentions: Wanya Morris, LT – Whenever I see the Chiefs get an offensive lineman a touchdown (below) I think of the classic John Madden quote: “I love to see a fat guy score … because you get a fat guy dance”

Special Teams Game Ball – Harrison Butker, K
Conner proved he was also worthy of this honor with his big stops on two kickoff returns, but Butker once again came through with the game on the line. In fact, his foot is the only thing keeping the Chiefs from being 1-1 instead of 2-
For the umpteenth time in his career, it was Butker who put the final score on the board with single digits left on the clock. And not only does he always seem to handle it with grace and a quiet calm, he does it from distances like his 51-yard game-winner against Cincinnati.

This is the second week of the season, and already Butker’s second S/T game ball winner. It will surely not be his last either.

Be sure to check every week after Kansas City’s games end for a list of Arrowhead Addict’s game ball winners!