Former Washington running back scores touchdown in AFC championship game

Samaje Perine found the end zone in Cincinnati’s win over the Chiefs in the AFC championship.

The Cincinnati Bengals were down 21-3 in the AFC championship game Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs and appeared destined for a disappointing end to a fantastic season.

To set the scene, the Bengals were facing a second-and-12 from the Kansas City 41-yard line around 1:15 remaining in the first half. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow drops back to pass, scans the field and quickly checks down to running back Samaje Perine, who weaves in and out of traffic for a 41-yard score just before halftime, and suddenly we have a ballgame.

Washington fans should remember that name. Perine was a fourth-round draft choice by Washington in 2017 out of Oklahoma. He played two seasons in Washington but failed to distinguish himself and was released during the team’s final cuts.

Perine was claimed by the Bengals, released and re-signed to their practice squad. After a brief stint on Miami’s practice squad, he spent the next two seasons with the Bengals. Perine has been Joe Mixon’s primary backup and rushed for 246 yards and a touchdown in 2021.

Perine was critical in Cincinnati’s 27-24 comeback win over the Chiefs, finishing the game with three receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown.

Congratulations to Perine and the Bengals on heading to the Super Bowl for the third time in franchise history.