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The Eagles are bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to Philadelphia after their 40-22 rout of the Chiefs.
Here is the best and worst from the on-field action at Super Bowl LIX:
Best: Eagles defensive line
Philadelphia’s defensive front dominated. The Eagles had six sacks and constantly pressured Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Per Pro Football Focus data, Mahomes was pressured on 42.9% of his dropbacks.
Defensive end Josh Sweat had six tackles and 2.5 sacks. Defensive tackle Milton Williams had two sacks and defensive tackle Jordan Davis added another sack.
The line was responsible for the game being as lopsided as it was. The unit didn’t give Mahomes any room to operate, leading to one of the worst games of the three-time Super Bowl MVP’s career.
Worst: Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes
This was a nightmare performance for Mahomes, who had one of his worst playoff performances in his 21 career postseason games.
Mahomes finished 21-of-32 for 257 yards, three touchdowns (two after the game was out of reach) and two interceptions. His two picks came on back-to-back passes in the first half.
Eagles rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean recorded the first interception, returning it 38 yards for a touchdown and a 17-0 lead. Linebacker Zack Baun intercepted Mahomes the second time deep in Kansas City territory, leading to an Eagles touchdown.
It was Mahomes’ poorest playoff game since Kansas City’s Super Bowl LV loss to the Buccaneers following the 2020 season. For all the highs he’s experienced over the years, his lows have been demoralizing.
Best: Kansas City rush defense
One of the most disappointing things about the blowout was how it overshadowed a phenomenal effort by Kansas City’s rush defense. The unit contained 2024 Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year running back Saquon Barkley, limiting him to 57 yards on 25 carries (2.3 yards per attempt). It was Barkley’s fewest yards gained on at least 25 carries in his career, but it hardly mattered because of Mahomes’ mistakes, a sharp Jalen Hurts and Philadelphia’s suffocating defense.
Worst: Ticky-tack fouls
Refs had a rocky start to the game, calling two iffy penalties early that, fortunately, didn’t significantly impact the game.
An Eagles fourth-down conversion was wiped out by a bad offensive pass interference call against wide receiver A.J. Brown, followed on Philadelphia’s next possession with a questionable unnecessary roughness flag against Chiefs cornerback back Trent McDuffie following a third-down incompletion.
The teams’ last Super Bowl meeting effectively ended with a late holding call against Eagles cornerback James Bradberry, and officials picked up where they left off in the first quarter.
Best: Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts
That’s how you silence doubters. The fifth-year Eagles quarterback outdueled Mahomes with an excellent performance en route to being named Super Bowl MVP.
Hurts was 17-of-22 for 221 yards (10 yards per attempt), two touchdowns and an interception. He also led the Eagles in rushing (72 yards) and scored Philadelphia’s lone rushing touchdown.
He became just the second quarterback in NFL history to throw for 200 yards and rush for 70 yards in a Super Bowl, joining himself after he achieved the feat in Super Bowl LVII. Hurts has had two incredible Super Bowls. Maybe now he’ll get respect.
Worst: Chiefs secondary
As awesome as Kansas City’s rush defense, its secondary was nearly as bad. Cornerback Jaylen Watson was burned on Hurts’ 46-yard touchdown to wide receiver DeVonta Smith. The Chiefs allowed five pass plays of at least 20 yards.
When the Chiefs dissect what went wrong in Super Bowl LIX, they’ll find several issues. The defense’s biggest problem was the secondary, making it a top priority for Kansas City to fix in free agency and the draft.
