By McKenzie Golden || Contributing Writer
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 on Sunday night, February 12th, as they met for the last game of the season for Super Bowl LVII. Patrick Mahomes was crowned MVP of the game with 182 yards and 3 TDs over 21/27 completions and became just the seventh QB to win league MVP and Super Bowl MVP in the same season, joining elite company. Eagles QB Jalen Hurts completed 27 of 38 for 304 yards and 4 total TDs.
Both teams came out roaring with opening possession touchdowns, but the Eagles rode a hot start to a 24-14 point lead at the half. Shots continued back and forth from both sides of the ball, but a momentum-driven second-half rally from the Chiefs made it a 35-35 game with less than five minutes to go in the final quarter.
In what was becoming an instant classic, the fate of the game was sealed by a controversial holding penalty committed by Eagles CB James Bradberry IV against WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, which came after the Eagles had used all of their timeouts to stop the clock. The Chiefs used the penalty to kill the clock down to 8 seconds and take a three-point lead off a Harrison Butker 27-yard kick.
In a postgame interview, Bradberry believed that he had committed the penalty, stating “It was a holding. I tugged on his jersey,”. Yet, it leaves fans wondering if the officiating staff should have the power to determine the outcome of a very close and competitive game on a very close call. The win marks the Chiefs’ second Super Bowl victory in four years.
The game was highlighted by Rihanna’s return to the stage for her high-flying and spectacular halftime performance and her surprise pregnancy announcement. As the ‘22–’23 NFL season comes to a close, fans are looking ahead to the looming free agency period where big QB names in Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, and Lamar Jackson are boasting uncertain futures. In anticipation of the ‘23-’24 season, the 2023 NFL Draft will begin on Thursday, April 27th in Kansas City.
Sophomore McKenzie Golden is a Contributing Writer. Her email is mgolden@fandm.edu.