The Chiefs were at the doorstep of NFL immortality, with the potential to be the first team to win three Super Bowls in a row. Rather, the team doubted most of the year despite winning 16 of its last 17 games, with an embattled coach, doubted quarterback and free agent running back dominated the best team in the NFL the last three years, 40-22.
In just about every playoff game in his career, Patrick Mahomes has been inevitable. His career is off to one of, if not the, best start of any American athlete. If he retired tomorrow, he’d be a Hall of Famer. But the Superman of the NFL was never able to get out of the phone booth. Philadelphia’s defensive line completely dominated Kansas City in the trenches and Mahomes couldn’t adjust.
“I take ownership of this loss more than probably any other loss more than any in my career, because I put us in the bad spot,” Mahomes said in his postgame press conference. “There are things I have to get better at, and they kinda showed today on the biggest stage. I have to find a way this offseason to combat what defenses are doing to me. … I can’t make bad plays worse.”
It was an impressive display of strength and execution, as the Eagles pass rush found the perfect balance of intensity and discipline. Rushers consistently beat one-on-one matchups and maintained their rush lanes–taking away one of Mahomes’ special powers, his ability to extend plays and run for first downs. Philadelphia chased the three-time Super Bowl MVP like dogs after wild squirrels, nearly setting a Super Bowl record with six sacks. They generated a 38.1% pressure rate without blitzing Mahomes on his 42 passing attempts, according to ESPN’s Next Gen Stats.
“We want to outplay each other, and that’s what’s setting the bar for each of us. We just want the bragging rights. That’s how we push each other; we want to see who can get it done,” said Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat after the game. “The beauty of it is that Vic gives us the call, we don’t question it and it he puts us in the positions to make the plays. I don’t know how he does it; we just run it, and we bring in our technique and we get it done.”
Sweat was in consideration for MVP with his two and a half sacks, but a late 3rd quarter touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts to Devonta Smith solidified Hurts was going to win the award.
Hurts is not a perfect quarterback, but he has shown now in two Super Bowls that he’s not phased. His mentality and maturity shows through, especially on an Eagles team with a head coach who wears his emotions on his sleeve. Hurts, the ultimate teammate, gladly took a step back this season as Saquon Barkley ran through the league, setting the NFL season rushing record (including playoffs).
On the biggest stage, Hurts played his best game of the year. He was effective from the pocket and dynamic while running the ball, passing Steve Young for most rushing touchdowns in playoff history by a quarterback. In his first Super Bowl, Hurts was great but had a turnover that led directly to a Chiefs score. This time around, Hurts didn’t allow his interception to throw the Eagles offense out of whack.
“Things come right on time, and you know, the last Super Bowl wasn’t our time yet. Sometimes we have to accept that you have to wait your turn.” Hurts told the media after the game.
The Chiefs could have moved into football immortality. Instead, the Chiefs looked like the pressure of the moment caught up to them. Travis Kelce, one of the most prolific receivers in postseason history, couldn’t seem to shake Cooper DeJean and the other Philly defenders. Chris Jones, who’s made game-winning plays in just about every big game he’s played in, was seen getting his neck adjusted after the first Philly Tush Push attempt.
Nick Sirianni, whose job security was openly questioned this offseason, guided Philadelphia down the stretch. Saquon Barkley, spurned by the New York Giants this offseason, led Philadelphia in the regular season. Jalen Hurts, benched in a championship game in college and loser of one Super Bowl, played the best game of his career in the biggest moment and earned the Super Bowl MVP trophy because of it.
The Chiefs leave the season with more questions than answers. The Eagles leave it champions.
