Eagles embarrass Chiefs at Super Bowl 59 to deny three-peat….see more

Philadelphia Eagles beat Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl 59 as Andy Reid’s side miss out on historic three-peat; Patrick Mahomes throws two interceptions and is sacked six times; 22-time Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar performs half-time show at Caesars Superdome.

Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles denied the Kansas City Chiefs a historic three-peat as they stormed to a 40-22 victory over the back-to-back defending champions to win Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans.

It would be sweet, destructive revenge – rather than repeat – as the Eagles toppled the team that had broken their hearts at Super Bowl 57 two years ago.

The Chiefs edged it 38-35 on that occasion and entered Sunday having won 12 games by one possession this season; this time, it was never even close as any good fortune within those tight match-ups expired in dramatic, merciless fashion.

Hurts was named Super Bowl MVP as he finished 17 of 22 for 221 yards, throwing two touchdown passes to AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith and an interception, as well as rushing for 72 yards and a score.

The majestic best of Saquon Barkley was not required on a night that saw the newly-crowned Offensive Player of the Year post 57 yards to break Terrell Davis’ all-time record for most single-season rushing yards, including playoffs.

It marked the 28th birthday of Barkley and the 22nd birthday of standout cornerback Cooper DeJean, who returned an interception for a 38-yard pick-six to help the Eagles carry a 24-0 lead into half-time.

Nick Sirianni’s side were bigger, faster, stronger and smarter as they thrived on a raucous atmosphere that created the feel of Philly while suffocating Patrick Mahomes with their No 1-ranked defense and neutralising a Steve Spagnuolo defense that had spearheaded Kansas City’s last two Super Bowl seasons.

Mahomes was skittish all night in the face of a ferocious Philly front, finishing 21 of 32 for 257 yards, with three consolation touchdowns and those two interceptions.

He was sacked six times and hit 11 times in total while being denied a fourth Super Bowl ring before the age of 30.

The night began with a celebration of NOLA vibrancy with a Crescent City bonanza of jazz, marching bands and Mardis Gras costumes.

It continued with the artistry of 22-time Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar, including the special guest narration of Hollywood icon Samuel L Jackson, in a half-time show that would make for a debate over whether Drake or the Chiefs had taken a heavier defeat.

And it concluded with Hurts, Barkley, Sirianni and their steamrollering Eagles storming the doors to the NFL’s ‘Promised Land’.

Stats Leaders

Kansas City

Passing: Patrick Mahomes, 21/32, 257 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs

Rushing: Patrick Mahomes, 4 carries, 25 yards

Receiving: Xavier Worthy, 8 catches, 157 yards, 2 TDs

Philadelphia Eagles

Passing: Jalen Hurts, 17/22, 221 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

Rushing: Jalen Hurts, 11 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD

Receiving: DeVonta Smith, 4 catches, 69 yards, 1 TD

Scoring summary

FIRST QUARTER
Chiefs 0-7 Eagles Jalen Hurts one-yard rushing TD (extra point)

SECOND QUARTER

Chiefs 0-10 Eagles Jake Elliott 48-yard field goal

Chiefs 0-17 Eagles Cooper DeJean 38-yard interception return TD (extra point)

Chiefs 0-24 Eagles Jalen Hurts 12-yard TD pass to AJ Brown (extra point)

THIRD QUARTER

Chiefs 0-27 Eagles Jake Elliott 27-yard field goal

Chiefs 0-34 Eagles Jalen Hurts 46-yard

Chiefs 6-34 Eagles Patrick Mahomes 24-yard TD pass to Xavier Worthy (two-point attempt failed)

FOURTH QUARTER
Chiefs 6-37 Eagles Jake Elliott 48-yard field goal

Chiefs 6-40 Eagles Jake Elliott 50-yard field goal

Chiefs 14-40 Eagles Patrick Mahomes seven-yard TD pass to DeAndre Hopkins (successful two-point conversion)

Chiefs 22-40 Eagles
Hurts said he had used previous experiences, including the Eagles’ Super Bowl 57 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, to learn from as they avenged their 2023 loss at Super Bowl 59

It did not take long for the first moment of controversy to arrive as a harsh offensive pass interference penalty against Eagles receiver Brown was met by ironic jeers in light of conspiracy theories over favouritism towards the Chiefs by NFL officials.

It would negate a 32-yard completion on fourth-and-two to deny Sirianni a reward for his immediate aggression.

The Eagles would not be deterred, though, and, after forcing a swift Chiefs punt, they did open the scoring when Hurts punched in a one-yard touchdown having connected with Jahan Dotson for 27 yards on a back shoulder fade down the sideline.

Spagnuolo sought to haul the Chiefs back into the contest when he dialled up the blitz on third-and-four, culminating in a sack by George Karlaftis only to see the play pulled back due to an offside penalty against Charles Omenihu.

The Chiefs’ defense did finally make its mark when Bryan Cook soared across the field deep in his own territory to pick off Hurts’ undercooked end-zone shot towards Brown, ending an 11-play, 50-yard drive.

Kansas City continued to stall on offense in the face of a rampant, gang-tackling Eagles defense, and it was a 10-point game by midway through the second quarter when Jake Elliott kicked a 48-yard field goal.

Chaos ensued on the next drive when Mahomes rolled to his right before tossing a desperate pick-six to a waiting DeJean on third-and-16, the Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist evading one tackle attempt before bundling over for a 38-yard interception return touchdown.

Mahomes’ nightmare continued when he was intercepted by All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun at the Chiefs’ 14-yard line, setting up Hurts’ touchdown strike to Brown as Philadelphia opened up a 24-0 lead with a minute to play in the first half.

Barkley needed little more time to break Davis’ record early in the second half, before Philly extended their cushion with Elliot’s 29-yard field goal with five minutes to play in the third quarter.

The punishment continued when a merciless Hurts took the top off the Chiefs defense with a 46-yard touchdown heave to Smith to make it 34-0.

The Chiefs ensured they swerved the humiliation of a shutout when Mahomes tossed a 24-yard touchdown strike to Xavier Worthy in the final seconds of the third, before Elliott split the posts with a 48-yard field goal to move the Eagles closer to victory.

More Mahomes misery followed when he lost a fumble after a hit from Milton Williams, Elliott then striking from 50 yards to push the lead to 40-6 with eight minutes remaining.

The Chiefs reduced the deficit on DeAndre Hopkins’ seven-yard touchdown catch with five minutes to play, and again on Mahomes’ 50-yard scoring pass to Worthy, both of which were followed by successful two-point attempts.

But it had been long over, Philadelphia’s electric travelling support lighting up the city and the Superdome to witness their team’s triumphant return to the top.

What was said?

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley: “She [the Lombardi Trophy] looks prettier in person, I’ll tell you that.

You think about it, it’s better in person than it is in Madden, I’ll tell you that playing as a kid.

It’s everything you dream of.

I’m just happy to be able to hold it, give it a kiss and be world champs.”

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts: “I know everyone’s excited, everyone has been on a long journey to get here.

It’s been a fun ride and I’ve been grateful every step. I took great pride in never backing down from a challenge, always turning my negatives into positives, my weaknesses into strengths.

So it’s taken great effort and determination. My family has been there every step of the way for me.”

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni: “He (Jalen Hurts) just keeps getting better.

He knows how to win.

He does a great job of being able to block out all the outside noise.”

Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean: “It’s crazy.

To be able to do it with this group of guys, I come in and since day one – all of us rookies, they brought us in, taught us everything they know.

Now, to be here on the biggest stage and be able to hold that Lombardi Trophy and do it on my birthday and Saquon’s birthday – it’s pretty crazy.”

Ryan Fitzpatrick in the Sky Sports NFL studio: “Jalen Hurts, the way he played, the way he ran the ball and the way he made the big throws when he needed to, he’s the MVP of this game.

“Does he have a heartbeat, does he have a pulse?

At the end of the game there, you’ve just won the Super Bowl, I wanted to tell him ‘you can smile’! But he’s just like that.”

Ndamukong Suh in the Sky Sports NFL studio: “It’s beautiful to see.

The Eagles’ defense did an amazing job to put Mahomes in tough situations and allow their offense to capitalise on all of the Chiefs’ mistakes and ride off into the sunset like they did.”