Super Bowl LIX featured a rematch of Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 9 in New Orleans, La.
The Chiefs came into the game with a 15-2 regular season record, looking to make NFL history as the first-ever team to win three straight Super Bowls.
The Eagles approached the game with a chip on their shoulders, suffering a heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl two years prior and just missing out on Super Bowl LVIII with an NFC Championship game loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the 2023 season.
The game started slow offensively, as the most explosive play came from the Eagles but was called back due to an offensive pass interference call. Both teams were forced to punt on their first possessions.
Although the Chiefs defense was largely able to keep Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley in check early after an electric playoff run, Philadelphia managed to find some success in the air.
Near the end of the first quarter, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts found wide receiver Jahan Dotson for a 27-yard gain to put the offense on the two-yard line. In a play that likely everybody knew was coming, the Eagles ran their version of the QB sneak, coined the “tush push,” and Hurts picked up a touchdown on the ground to give Philadelphia a 7-0 lead.
The second quarter remained Philadelphia’s game, as their defense did not falter, keeping the typically explosive Chiefs offense scoreless.
The Eagles offense managed to push down the field and come away with three points, pushing the lead to 10-0, and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes II threw an uncharacteristic interception that was returned for a touchdown by Eagles rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean, increasing his team’s lead to 17-0.
Nearing the end of the first half, pinned inside their own 10-yard line, the Chiefs offense looked to put some points on the board and go into the half with some momentum. However, Mahomes threw another interception to Eagles linebacker Zack Baun, which put Philadelphia in a very good position to increase their lead even more before halftime.
Despite some prior red zone struggles in the game, Hurts connected with WR A.J. Brown for a 12-yard touchdown, pushing the lead to 24-0.
The Chiefs would need to be perfect in the second half to mount such a large comeback, but rather than Mahomes and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce taking over the remainder of the game like their usual playoff runs, it was the Eagles’ defensive line.
It seemed like Mahomes was running for his life every play, as both the interior and the edges of Philadelphia’s DL were consistently winning their matchups.
Overall, the DL racked up 16 total pressures on the QB and recorded six sacks, the most against Mahomes in his entire career. With little to no time for the talented QB to read the extremely talented Eagles’ defense, scoring opportunities were few and far between for the Chiefs.
The Eagles offense remained consistent in the second half. Another field goal by kicker Jake Elliot, who was a perfect 4/4 in the game, and a 46-yard touchdown reception by WR Devonta Smith further increased the lead to 34-0.
Although the game seemed all but over at this point, the Chiefs continued to fight, and Mahomes found rookie WR Xavier Worthy for a 24-yard touchdown to finally put some points on the board. The touchdown was followed by a failed two-point conversion to make the score 34-6.
This would not be the Chiefs’ final score, as Mahomes would later find veteran WR DeAndre Hopkins for a 7-yard touchdown and Worthy once again for a 50-yard touchdown on an impressive catch and throw, both followed by successful two-point conversions.
The Eagles would go on to win the Super Bowl LVII rematch with a score of 40-22. Despite poor offensive line play, Mahomes would finish the game going 21/32 for 257 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Hurts finished the game going 17/22 for 221 yards, two touchdowns and one interception as well as racking up 72 yards and a score on the ground.
Hurts’s impressive offensive performance earned him Super Bowl MVP.
