In a heart-stopping game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs, tensions ran high as the Bengals fell short with a 26-25 loss. Despite Joe Burrow’s strong performance, throwing two touchdowns, the final outcome left the Bengals and their fans stunned. After the game, Burrow was seen exchanging words with several Chiefs players, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes and defensive star Chris Jones. What caught fans’ attention was Burrow’s surprising three-word message to Jones: “That was fun.”

The significance of Burrow’s brief comment to Chris Jones goes beyond mere sportsmanship. The two have a bit of history, particularly from the 2021 AFC Championship Game, when Burrow famously dodged what seemed like a certain sack from Jones, escaping outside the pocket to extend the play. That moment has stuck with Jones ever since, and in the lead-up to this most recent matchup, Jones reminded reporters of Burrow’s resilience, praising him as a “great quarterback” who can make tough throws under pressure.

However, the real drama of the game didn’t end with friendly post-game exchanges. A controversial pass interference call late in the fourth quarter left Burrow and the Bengals in disbelief. With the Chiefs trailing and driving toward what would be the game-winning field goal, Bengals cornerback Daijahn Anthony was flagged for defensive pass interference on Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice. The penalty gave Kansas City a crucial advantage, setting up the game-winning field goal.

Replay footage showed Anthony hitting Rice before he had a chance to make a play on a deep pass, and the officials did not hesitate to make the call. However, Burrow, visibly frustrated on the sideline, appeared in disbelief over the timing and impact of the decision. His reaction was caught on camera, showcasing his dissatisfaction with the officiating in such a critical moment of the game.

Burrow’s performance in this game was a vast improvement from his rough Week 1 showing. Though the Bengals quarterback played well against the reigning Super Bowl champions, the sting of the controversial loss was evident. The Bengals had the game within reach, and Burrow’s frustration was shared by fans, who felt the pass interference call shifted the momentum in the Chiefs’ favor.

In the end, the game will be remembered not just for Burrow’s efforts on the field, but for the lingering controversies and the respectful, yet loaded, words exchanged between two of the league’s top players.