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Super Bowl LVIII Champions
Kansas City Chiefs
Super Bowl LVIII MVP: Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs 25, San Francisco 49ers 22 (OT)
What a game!
This was one of the few Super Bowls where the play on the field lived up to the billing. San Francisco were the favorites, but only by a narrow margin. And the two teams played a relatively even game. So even, in fact, that it became only the second Super Bowl ever to go into overtime. Then, it was only decided with three seconds remaining in the first overtime session.
In the end, the Kansas City Chiefs answered a very strong - and very long - overtime drive by the 49ers which culminated in a field goal with a very strong - and long - drive of their own. Only the Chiefs managed to get the touchdown. And that was enough to secure their status as the first team since the 2003 and 2004 New England Patriots to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Kansas City becomes only the eighth team in NFL history to win consecutive Super Bowls. The others are the Packers, Dolphins, Steelers - who managed to do it twice, 49ers, Cowboys, Broncos, and Patriots.
Now, Kansas City has won three Super Bowl titles in four appearances during the past five seasons. There no longer is any question about it, they have reached the level of a dynasty. KC earns the fourth Vince Lombardi Trophy in franchise history, and becomes only the seventh NFL franchise to have captured at least four Super Bowl titles (Patriots and Steelers with six, 49ers and Cowboys with 5, and the Giants and Packers with 4).
Indeed, KC effectively just managed to outlast San Francisco in what ultimately proved to be a very evenly played match. This was the kind of Super Bowl where you feel it can be said that neither team deserved to lose.
How close was it? Consider some things, where the two teams were almost completely even. The Chiefs produced 24 first downs, while the 49ers got 23. Both teams got 15 of those first downs with passes. San Francisco averaged 6.8 yards per pass, while Kansas City averaged 6.6 yards. Both teams punted five times. The 49ers held the ball for 38:31, compared to 36:26 for the Chiefs.
Yet, it did not start out that way. My impression through the first half - and even well into the second - was that the 49ers seemed to be dominating in almost every way except on the scoreboard. The 49ers looked better on both offense and defense. Their game plan looked far more creative, as well, as they enjoyed a good blend of run and pass. And on a play that you automatically knew would make all of the highlight reels, the ball changed hands from Brock Purdy to wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who then tossed it to running back Christian McCaffrey, who I believe ran the ball untouched all the way to the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown play that gave San Francisco a 10-0 lead with 4:23 left in the second quarter. It was Jauan Jennings who threw that touchdown pass, and who later caught another touchdown pass, making him the only player in NFL history with both a touchdown throw and a touchdown pass in the big game. He ended up with 4 catches for 42 yards, yet that is deceptive. He enjoyed a very strong game, helping his team in a multitude of ways, and he indeed might have had a real shot at the game MVP honors had the 49ers ultimately won that game.
It seemed as if the Chiefs could not hang onto the ball through most of the first half. The first time that they held the ball in a drive that lasted over three minutes (it actually went slightly over four minutes) was on their final 13 play, 65-yard drive of the first half, which culminated in a successful field goal attempt, and gave the Chiefs their first points in the game, closing the halftime margin to 10-3 in favor of San Francisco.
Indeed, it felt like the 49ers were just far more effective to that point. They appeared to be dominating the line of scrimmage battle on both sides of the ball. On offense, their running game looked dangerous, as if the Chiefs could not stop it. It did seem to have an effect, as KC's defense looked tired and spent towards the end of the game. As for the Niners defense, they really contained Mahomes and the Chiefs throughout the first half, and even well into the third quarter. It seemed like KC could not get much of anything going with their running attack, and Mahomes looked surprisingly lost and confused, as the seemingly relentless pressure applied by 49ers defenders was clearly throwing him off his game.
Even in the second half, it felt like KC was sloppy. Their first drive lasted three plays - during which they lost 2 yards - and then ended with an interception. After that, they had a three and out. Neither drive lasted even two minutes. However, you have to credit KC's defense for bending but not breaking. It seemed like the 49ers should have capitalized more than they did - even far more - but they were not able to translate that early domination of the game into a barrage of points, which might otherwise have proved to be the difference.
Things only really began to change when the Chiefs mounted a 9-play, 47 yard drive towards the end of the third quarter that ate up slightly more than four minutes, and narrowed the margin to 10-6. It was at that point in a game almost entirely dominated by San Francisco to that point when I began to feel like maybe the 49ers seeming inability to get more of a cushion in their lead might really cost them.
After that, it felt like Kansas City began to dictate the tempo of the game. They were not quite dominating both lines of scrimmage, as the 49ers had throughout the first half and well into the second. However, they began to be more effective and wear the Niners down a bit on defense. In particular, they managed to both create and to convert scoring opportunities, and they finally managed to take their first lead of the game right at the end of the third quarter after a touchdown. Also, KC capitalized on mistakes that San Francisco made, particularly a botched punt that resulted in a turnover which gave the Chiefs awesome field position and which resulted in that touchdown which I just mentioned, as well as a blocked PAT after a San Francisco touchdown in the fourth quarter that did not seem huge at the time, yet which in hindsight proved to possibly be one of the most impactful plays of the entire game. My neighbors were celebrating after that touchdown, yet cut their surprisingly loud and boisterous celebrations short after the Chiefs managed to block that PAT. Perhaps they knew something which I did not at the time.
Still, the game was far from being decided at that point. Kansas City responded with a decently long drive of over five minutes, which culminated in a field goal to tie the game. San Francisco then had another impressive drive, holding onto the ball for almost four minutes late in the fourth quarter, and earning 40-yards on 7 plays, where they seemed at points to be capable of possibly running out the clock on the Chiefs. Yet, KC's defense stepped up, and the 49ers had to settle for a field goal, giving them a 19-16 lead with less than two minutes left to play in the game. To their credit, however, the Chiefs did respond with an 11-play, 64-yard drive, which ended with a 29-yard field goal conversion by placekicker Harrison Butker to tie the game and force overtime. Butker proved instrumental and seriously helped lift the Chiefs to victory yesterday. He enjoyed a record-breaking day, in more ways than one. Not long after 49ers placekicker Jake Moody set a new Super Bowl record for the longest successful field goal attempt from 56 yards, Butker nailed one from 57 yards, which now is the new Super Bowl record. Butker kicked four field goals and was perfect on PAT's following touchdowns. Also, Butker set a new Super Bowl record with a career total of nine field goals made in 10 attempts. Both of those established new Super Bowl records.
Indeed, this was a day when the placekickers figured prominently. I already mentioned Butker's banner day. But Moody figured prominently for the 49ers. As mentioned earlier, he booted one field goal attempt from 56-yards, which at that point set a new Super Bowl record. San Francisco's Jake Moody also became the first placekicker in history to successfully convert more than one field goal from 50+ yards. Yet, he also was a part of a play which, as I mentioned before, might have helped give the Chiefs a boost that ultimately helped them win the game with that blocked PAT. I'm not sure that was even his fault, although the television cameras panned in on him after the Chiefs had clinched the win, as he sat dejectedly on the 49ers bench while other teammates were already clearing the field.
Some people apparently blamed San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy on his play, and claimed that he might have cost his team a title. However, numerous legendary quarterbacks defended Purdy after the Super Bowl, including Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Drew Brees, and 49ers legend Joe Montana. Personally, I felt that Purdy was solid on the day. The only real miscues I remember him throwing yesterday came when Chiefs defenders applied serious pressure and were either in his face or about to sack him, which to me means that those missed passes were not even really his fault. Truth be told, it was surprising to me that some people were blaming Purdy. I felt that he not only played well, but that his level of play and poise in the pocket helped the 49ers far more than his play hurt them, to his credit.
On the day, Purdy completed 23 of 38 passes for 255 yards and one touchdown for the 49ers. That was enough to earn him an 89.3 rating. San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey was strong on the ground, pounding out 80 yards on 22 carries. Earlier, I mentioned how wide receiver Jauan Jennings might have been named the game's MVP had the Niners won. If not, it might have been McCaffrey. In addition to his strong running performance, he also caught 8 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown.
As for Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes completed 34 of 46 passes for 333 yards, with 2 touchdowns and one INT on the day. That earned him a 99.3 quarterback rating Yet that does not tell the full story, Mahomes was at his most impressive when it mattered most, going perfect in that 13-play, 75-yard final drive in OT. During that most important of drives, Mahomes was basically perfect, completing 8 of 8 passes for 42 yards and that title-winning 3-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman on the game's final play. For his efforts, he was rewarded with Super Bowl MVP honors for the third time. Each time that the Chiefs have won the Super Bowl in recent years, Mahomes has won the Super Bowl MVP award, in addition to his two NFL MVP rewards (in 2018 and 2022, respectively). Mahomes also becomes only the third quarterback (Troy Aikman and Tom Brady being the other two) to win three Super Bowl titles before he turns 30.
Kelce proved to be the favorite target for Mahomes. He earned nine catches for 93 yards. KC did struggled with their running game, as Isiah Pacheco really fought to earn 59 yards on 18 rush attempts. It felt like the 49ers were particularly effective in shutting him down. However, Mahomes also can kill teams with his legs, and that element of surprise proved to hurt the 49ers otherwise stellar run defense. In all, Mahomes earned 66 yards on 9 carries.
This was the fifth time that Kansas City head coach Andy Reid has led teams to the Super Bowl. He was the head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles when they went to Super Bowl XXXIX, although they lost to the New England Patriots on that day. This marked the fourth time that he has guided the Chiefs to the Super Bowl, where he has helped them to win three of those four appearances. Like Bill Belichick, some of his stats are off the charts. He left Philadelphia to four straight NFC Championship Game appearances, and five in all during his tenure there. With the Chiefs, he has helped them reach the AFC Championship Game in each of the past six seasons. There really is no doubt left. Reid has to be considered one of the greatest head coaches in history now.
As for Kyle Shanahan of the 49ers, he has now led San Francisco to two Super Bowl appearances, both in the last five years. He was also the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons during their historic 2016 season, when the offense was one of the most explosive units in NFL history, and they reached the Super Bowl (which they also lost to Bray, Belichick, and the New England Patriots). Still, Shanahan has been a stable coach for the 49ers, and has helped to build an excellent quality team. It would not be surprising if they get back to the Super Bowl in the near future.
My pick: Inaccurate
Below are the links to a couple of articles which helped me get some of the stats used in the Super Bowl review above:
Patrick Mahomes rallies the Chiefs to second straight Super Bowl title, 25-22 over 49ers in overtime by the AP Updated: Feb 12, 2024:
https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401547378
Harrison Butker sets all-time Super Bowl record with nine total field goals made By Mike Florio Published February 12, 2024:
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/harrison-butker-sets-all-time-super-bowl-record-with-nine-total-field-goals-made
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