It was an incredible Super Bowl 59 for the NFC and Eagles fans, as they thoroughly humbled Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, and the coaching staff of KC.
It turns out that they can be beat in the post season, as Philly was all over them.
Let’s take a look at a recap of the big game.
Philadelphia’s Defensive Domination
The Philadelphia Eagles turned Super Bowl LIX into their own personal highlight reel, bulldozing the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 and making Patrick Mahomes look, well, mortal. The Eagles’ defensive line showed up like they were double-parked outside the stadium, racking up six sacks and applying relentless pressure on Mahomes, who was running for his life all night.
Josh Sweat led the way with 2.5 sacks, while Milton Williams and Jordan Davis contributed to the Mahomes mayhem. By the time the first half ended, Mahomes had already thrown two interceptions—one of which rookie Cooper DeJean returned 38 yards for a touchdown. The Chiefs must have wondered if they’d walked into the wrong stadium because this was looking less like a championship game and more like an Eagles-sponsored stress test.
The Mahomes Meltdown
Mahomes has been known to perform miracles on the field, but this time, he needed divine intervention. The Chiefs’ quarterback had one of the worst playoff performances of his career, finishing 21-of-32 for 257 yards, three touchdowns (two coming in garbage time), and two momentum-killing interceptions. Kansas City fans were left wondering if they had been transported back to Super Bowl LV, when Mahomes was similarly tormented by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
To be fair, it wasn’t entirely his fault—his offensive line provided less protection than a broken umbrella, and his receivers seemed to be playing a game of “Hot Potato” with the football. Travis Kelce, normally Mahomes’ go-to target, was practically invisible in the first half, managing just one yard alongside rookie Xavier Worthy.
Hurts Silences the Doubters
Jalen Hurts, on the other hand, played like a man on a mission. The Eagles’ quarterback shrugged off any remaining doubts about his ability to win the big one, earning Super Bowl MVP honors with a near-flawless performance. He completed 17-of-22 passes for 221 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, while also leading the team in rushing with 72 yards and a touchdown.
Hurts became just the second quarterback in history to throw for 200 yards and rush for 70 yards in a Super Bowl—joining himself from Super Bowl LVII. Maybe now people will stop questioning whether he belongs in the elite QB conversation.
The Chiefs’ Secondary: A Horror Show
Kansas City’s rush defense deserved a standing ovation, bottling up Saquon Barkley and holding him to just 57 yards on 25 carries (a brutal 2.3 yards per attempt). Unfortunately for them, the secondary was about as sturdy as wet cardboard. Jaylen Watson got cooked on a 46-yard touchdown from Hurts to DeVonta Smith, and the Chiefs gave up five pass plays of 20+ yards. If Kansas City is serious about contending again next year, their offseason shopping list should start with “new defensive backs.”
Questionable Officiating: A Super Bowl Tradition
What’s a Super Bowl without a little referee controversy? The game started with two questionable penalties—one against Eagles receiver A.J. Brown on a phantom offensive pass interference, and another unnecessary roughness flag against Chiefs corner Trent McDuffie. While the calls didn’t impact the outcome, they certainly didn’t help Kansas City’s already uphill battle.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
The Chiefs’ bid for a three-peat is officially dead, but Mahomes and Andy Reid will be back for another run next season—though Travis Kelce’s future remains uncertain. As for the Eagles, they’ll have to replace offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who is reportedly heading to the Saints, but with a dominant defense and an elite quarterback, Philadelphia is set up for more success in the years to come.
Super Bowl 59 may not have given us a nail-biting finish, but it gave us plenty to talk about—mainly, how unstoppable the Eagles’ defense was and how much therapy Chiefs fans will need. Here’s to another wild NFL season ahead!
