NFL AFC Championship: Cincinnati Bengals beat Kansas City Chiefs in overtime to reach Super Bowl

The Cincinnati Bengals produced a stunning comeback to upset the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 and book a first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years.

Trailing 21-3, Cincinnati scored 21 unanswered points before the Chiefs landed a field goal as time expired.

But Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was intercepted in overtime and Evan McPherson kicked Cincinnati to victory.

The San Francisco 49ers meet the Los Angeles Rams later on Sunday to decide Cincinnati's Super Bowl 56 opponents.

Defending AFC champions Kansas City were heavy favourites to book a third successive Super Bowl appearance and appeared to be cruising to victory when they opened up a daunting 18-point lead.

But the Bengals made a crucial stop just before half-time to limit their deficit, which quarterback Joe Burrow clawed back during the second half as his opposite number Mahomes began to go awry.

Before this season, Cincinnati — who were the worst team in the NFL two years ago with a 2-14 record — had not won a play-off game in 31 years but they have now won three in quick succession.

Only 15 months separate Burrow and Mahomes in age but the latter has already won two AFC titles and a Super Bowl, while this year has marked the Bengals quarterback's first post-season campaign.

That difference in experience appeared to be telling in the first half as Mahomes led the Chiefs to three touchdowns on their opening three drives as Burrow struggled to get a foothold.

A 10-yard pass to Tyreek Hill opened the scoring and although Cincinnati responded with a McPherson field goal, the Chiefs quickly added two more touchdowns.

Wide receiver Mecole Hardman was central to both, reeling in a 44-yard Mahomes pass on a drive that ended with a touchdown for tight end Travis Kelce