TYLER BOYD

Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald.

Nearly every time the Kansas City Chiefs got pressure on Joe Burrow in the AFC championship game, he managed to pull off a surprising escape.

Across both Super Bowl rosters, there is a great divide.

A mostly tense game between teams with long playoff droughts was disrupted by some problematic officiating.

Joe Burrow led an efficient offense that scored on six drives, including two of his touchdown passes, and rookie Evan McPherson made four field goals as the Cincinnati Bengals finally advanced in the playoffs with a 26-19 win over Las Vegas in Saturday’s wild-card game.

Evan McPherson kicked a 20-yard field goal as time ran out, and the Cincinnati Bengals earned their first AFC North title and postseason appearance in six years with a wild 34-31 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Joe Burrow threw for a franchise-record 525 yards and four touchdowns, and the Cincinnati Bengals took sole possession of first place in the AFC North with a 41-21 win over the depleted Baltimore Ravens.

Evan McPherson kicked a 35-yard field goal as time ran out to give the Cincinnati Bengals a 24-21 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night, spoiling Urban Meyer’s Ohio return.

Joe Burrow threw for 178 yards and three touchdowns and the Cincinnati Bengals handled the listless Pittsburgh Steelers 24-10.

(AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)The NFL cites outside influences for the most recent set of positive coronavirus tests, including exposures during the holiday season. There were 21 new confirmed positive tests among players and 37 among other personnel in the league’s latest round of testing for COVID-19. Dr. Allen Sills, the league's chief medical officer, referred to three sources of exposure: household, outside medical providers, and community/social settings. "They apply for seven days following (a team's) elimination, and include daily testing and other protocols that will remain in place. It expects to have seven games with fans in the stadium on Sunday when every team finishes the regular season.

(AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)The Cleveland Browns are short-handed as they try to clinch the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2002, the longest active drought in the NFL. They learned Sunday morning they will be without starting rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills against the New York Jets because of an illness. Wills had been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday and activated Saturday, but was then downgraded Sunday. The Browns will be missing receivers Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge and linebacker Jacob Phillips. The Indianapolis Colts will be without both starting offensive tackles when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) talks with wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones after Peoples-Jones' touchdown reception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)CINCINNATI – Baker Mayfield overcame a terrible start to throw for five touchdowns, including a 24-yard go-ahead score to Donovan Peoples-Jones with 15 seconds left, and the Cleveland Browns outdueled the Cincinnati Bengals 37-34 on Sunday. Nursing sore ribs, Mayfield started 0 for 5 — including an interception on his first attempt of the game. Rashard Higgins had six catches for 110 yards, and tight end Harrison Bryant had two touchdown catches. MISSING PIECESThe Bengals had lost Mixon (foot) and cornerback William Jackson III (concussion) to injuries during the week.

Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Jordan Evans (50) celebrates late in the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Cincinnati, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. The Bengals defeated the Jaguars 33-25. After linebacker Jordan Evans intercepted a tipped Minshew pass, the Bengals started on Jacksonville’s 40 and got nowhere, Burrow overthrowing an open A.J. The Jags added a field goal with 8 seconds left, but the ensuing onside kick was unsuccessful. He missed a 48-yard field goal in the first quarter but converted on four others, including a 50-yarder in the second half.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Cleveland. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow, who threw three TD passes and showed incredible poise in just his second game. Burrow's third TD pass — a 9-yarder to Tyler Boyd with 43 seconds left — pulled the Bengals within five, but the Browns recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock. But the reigning Heisman Trophy winner matched Mayfield pass for pass and showed why the Bengals believe he can turn them around. Uzomah in the second quarter, but Cincinnati's defense couldn't slow down the Browns and Mayfield tossed a 6-yard TD pass to a wide-open Hunt gave Cleveland a 21-10 lead.

FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2019, file photo, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. The Bengals used their franchise tag on A.J. Green signed his one-year, $17.9 million contract Friday after the deadline passed for agreeing to a long-term deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. The club used its franchise tag on Green, who missed all last season with an ankle injury. After nine years of Green teaming with quarterback Andy Dalton, the Bengals made a clean break following a 2-14 finish.