(Photo courtesy of TODAY) “Jalen Hurts was this year’s Super Bowl MVP.”
Liam O’Keefe
Connector Staff
Superbowl LIX was one of the most stunning Super Bowls in recent memory, as the Philadelphia Eagles blew out the Kansas City Chiefs, 40-22. Quarterback Jalen Hurts, who dominated this game, was named Super Bowl MVP.
The matchup was set after the Eagles blew out the Commanders and the Chiefs barely escaped the Bills in their respective Conference Championship games. This matchup was not favored by the majority of neutral fans since they had already seen this matchup in the Superbowl just two years prior. However, this game was nothing like the first time these teams met up.
Going into the game both teams had a lot to play for. The Eagles were coming into this game looking for revenge, as they had been on the losing end of this matchup back in Super Bowl LVII, and with new stars such as running back Saquan Barkley and linebacker Zach Baun, they were ready to flip the script this time around.
The Chiefs on the other hand were looking for history. If they had won this game, they would have been the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls. A feat this massive would’ve had huge implications for the GOAT debate that many fans had been ramping up ahead of this game.
However, it was clear that the Eagles were going to take this one home from the start.
The Chiefs punted on their first three possessions before quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw his first interception of the game which was returned for a touchdown by Eagles rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean, which put the Eagles up 17-0.
Two drives later Mahomes would throw another interception that would lead to another Eagles touchdown and the score would be 24-0 going into halftime. The Chiefs wouldn’t score until they were already down 34-0 and the game was clearly out of hand. The game was so far out of reach that Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni put in backup quarterback Kenny Pickett with three minutes left and the Eagles would win the game 40-22.
The Eagles’ defense put on a defensive clinic against Mahomes, forcing three turnovers and sacking him six times. Jalen Hurts played a great game throwing for 221 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Hurts was also the team’s leading rusher with 72 yards and a tush push touchdown.
Hurts’ Superbowl win places him with Len Dawson and Bob Griese as the only three quarterbacks to win the Superbowl after losing their Superbowl debut. The 33 other quarterbacks who lost in their first Superbowl have never ended up winning the big game. Hurts is also now the only quarterback to win a Superbowl rematch against the QB who beat him the first time.
As for Mahomes, he picked a bad time to have arguably his worst game as a professional.
His quarterback rating of 11.4 is poor when compared to Hurt’s rating of 75.4. While it is just one game, a loss this bad on the biggest stage will surely have a lasting impact on his legacy and could be a big knock against him as he tries to surpass Tom Brady’s legendary legacy.
While this might not be the Super Bowl matchup fans wanted, it was still an entertaining matchup that surprised the entire football world. As we leave this NFL season behind and enter the offseason it will be interesting to see what happens to both of these teams, tight end Travis Kelce seems to be toying with retirement and the Eagles core looks to be locked in for years to come.
