Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones records first career postseason sack vs. Bengals

Well, check one off the list for Chris Jones.

The Chiefs’ star defensive tackle now has his first career postseason sack, a mark that had eluded Jones prior to Sunday’s AFC Championship Game between the Chiefs and Bengals.

With the Bengals trailing 3-0 and facing a third-and-18 from their own 30, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow dropped back to set up a throw. Jones bullied his way around and past Bengals offensive lineman Max Scharping and wrapped up Burrow for the sack, which forced the Bengals into a fourth-and-24.

The Bengals were forced to punt.

Leading into the Chiefs’ current playoff run, which started with a game against Jacksonville in the Divisional Round, Jones had spoken about accomplishing that very feat.

“Unfortunately, I have what, 10-11 playoff games? No sacks,” Jones said to reporters before the Jacksonville game. He smiled as he added the following line: “That’s not a huge priority, but I’m gonna make sure I get one this go-round, just to shut you guys up.”

The number was actually 12, at the time. Jacksonville marked game No. 13 of Jones’ playoff career, followed by No. 14 against the Bengals — a familiar foe for this Chiefs squad.

In fact, sacking Burrow specifically was something that motivated Jones, who reflected over the summer about being disappointed he couldn’t bring down the Bengals’ QB in last year’s AFC Championship Game, which the Chiefs lost by three points in overtime.

“I missed some of the biggest plays of the game,” Jones said, per The Star’s Sam McDowell. “I used it as motivation the whole offseason. I feel like if I would’ve made those sacks, the game would’ve been different. I take accountability for that.”

Jones also made note of some of the trash talk coming from the Bengals’ side before the AFC Championship game, referencing one comment by ending his Friday news conference with: “See y’all at Burrowhead Stadium.”

Jones amassed 15.5 sacks in the 2022 regular season. He also forced two fumbles and was credited with breaking up four passes at the line of scrimmage.

That mark of 15.5 sacks tied a career-high for Jones, who also totaled 15.5 with two forced fumbles, plus an interception, in the 2018 season with the Chiefs. Jones’ sack of Burrow was the Chiefs’ third of the day.