Linebacker Joseph Ossai of the Cincinnati Bengals made a vital mistake that put the Kansas City Chiefs in position to advance to Super Bowl LVII with a field goal, and one of his teammates informs him that it wasn’t the right choice.
Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt expressed his thoughts regarding Ossai’s error as the team dejectedly made their way back to the locker room following their 23-20 loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship on Sunday.
“No, that’s bad. The motherf—er’s final year is this one. He shouted as he entered the locker room, “Why the hell would you touch the quarterback!?Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs is sacked by Joseph Ossai of the Cincinnati Bengals during the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Frustration was certainly running high after the Bengals’ season ended with Harrison Butker’s 45-yard field goal, but Pratt said (sharperly than most) what many were thinking: It wasn’t a smart move by Ossai when he did Patrick Mahomes pursued out of bounds.
Mahomes was still looking to gain a few yards for Butker to work on the game winner when he climbed out of the pocket, though his ankle sprain was still bothering him.
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He gained five yards when he hit white’s out-of-bounds color with both feet, but Ossai made the costly mistake of shoving Mahomes to the ground, which immediately resulted in an unnecessary shout of roughness that changed the entire game.
