Super Bowl 56 MVP Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles to take home the franchise’s third Super Bowl. The 38-35 nailbiter came down to a last-second field goal by Harrison Butker. The 27-yard kick with eight seconds on the clock capped an impressive comeback led by Mahomes.
Super Bowl Recap
The Chiefs closed the NFL playoff bracket winning a back-and-forth battle that saw both teams exchange the lead throughout the game. Both Mahomes and Philly QB Jalen Hurts had one of their best games on the NFL schedule this season. But it was NFL MVP odds leader Mahomes who found the magic his team needed during the second half.
Mahomes, who should have been on the NFL injury report, played through a high ankle sprain he suffered during the divisional round. “I knew it was pretty bad,” Mahomes said after aggravating the injury on a three-yard scramble near the end of the first half. He limped off the field, but the injury didn’t slow him down during the second half.
Mahomes used his magic to down 24-14 entering the second half. Mahomes scrambled for a 14-yard run in the third quarter to set up Isiah Pacheco’s one-yard rush to bring the Chiefs close at 24-21. Mahomes then gave Kansas City the lead following a five-yard pass to an uncovered Kadarius Toney. The Chiefs held the lead 28-27 for the first time in the contest as they began to set up an awesome Super Bowl recap.
Chiefs and Eagles Battle in High-Stakes Super Bowl Showdown
The Chiefs tried to keep Philadelphia close, forcing an Eagles’ punt. Toney returned the punt for 65 yards, marking a Super Bowl record. Mahomes and the Chiefs began to pull away after he nailed a four-yard strike with Skyy Moore to open up the score at 35-27.
However, the Eagles sparked a comeback of their own. The regular season NFL standings leaders answered with a huge 45-yard gain as Hurts found DeVonta Smith. The play set up Hurts for a two-yard TD run. The Eagles scored a two-yard conversion attempt to lock on the best NFL matchups of the season at 35.
With 5:15 left in the fourth quarter, the Eagles tried to get the ball back. However, the Chiefs held on to set up the game-winning field goal. The key play came with a little over two minutes left. Eagles lineman James Bradberry committed a holding penalty that gave the Chiefs a first down. Then, Jerick McKinnon raced past the two-yard line forcing the Eagles to eat up their last time out.
Mahomes took two knees to run down the clock to set up Butker’s 27-yarder. It was redemption for Butker after missing a 42-yard attempt in the first quarter.
Super Bowl 57 MVP
Mahomes followed Cooper Kupp in receiving the Honor. Mahomes finished the game with 182 passing yards after going 21 for 27. He finished the contest with a good 96.4 QB rating and three touchdowns. For Mahomes, this was his second Super Bowl MVP trophy after capturing his first one in 2019.
Mahomes credited his teammates for the win, saying, “It took everybody to win the game.” Mahomes’ 182 passing yards added to Kansas City’s impressive NFL team stats as the Chiefs racked up 340 total yards on 53 offensive plays.
Jalen Hurts Excelled
Hurts’ performance deserves an honorable mention in this Super Bowl recap. Hurts tossed 304 yards on 27 completions. He threw one touchdown pass while getting sacked twice. However, he used his legs to put pressure on the Eagles’ defense by rushing for 70 yards. Hurts led the Eagles’ NFL player stats in rushing yards and three scores on the ground.
In hindsight, the lack of rushing support negatively impacted the Eagles, as their three running backs combined for 17 carries and 45 yards.
Andy Reid Gets Another Ring
The highlight of this Super Bowl recap is Andy Reid’s feel-good story. Reid was a long-time coach for the Eagles, failing to win a Super Bowl despite getting close many times. Andy Reid, now the Chiefs’ head coach, got his first Super Bowl ring as a head coach with the team in 2020 and now added another.
Reid, who won Super Bowl 57, also has a third from his time as an assistant head coach with the Green Bay Packers. He has now cemented his legacy as one of the best NFL coaches of all time.
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