Patrick Mahomes has been criticized for a lot of things this season. For having been less efficient, for not having allowed the Kansas City Chiefs, reigning champions, to be a great team, for not having been magical at the end of the match, of which he nevertheless had the secret. But, Sunday in Las Vegas, during the Super Bowl, the 58th in history, the fabulous quarterback made everyone agree. By distilling a great comeback, in overtime no less, he finally allowed the Chiefs to beat the San Francisco 49ers (25-22) and to be crowned again.
At 28, he won the super final for the third time in his career (started in 2017) and in just five years (plus a defeat in 2021). With three titles, Patrick Mahomes has equaled Troy Aikman, of the Dallas Cowboys (winner in the 1990s), and continues to chase Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana, the legends of Pittsburgh and San Francisco, four times champion. Seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady is still out of reach. Sunday, in addition to helping Kansas City win, Mahomes also found the solutions to get his team out of a delicate situation.
49ers advantage in first period
Because, like their laborious season, the Chiefs have for a long time suffered the pressure imposed by the 49ers. The latter, looking for a new title since 1995, were back in the final, four years after their last appearance (beaten by…Kansas City). This season, the keys to the team were given to a young quarterback: Brock Purdy (24 years old), a pro for only two years, after being chosen in the depths of the draft as a third QB.
After surviving a turnover early in the game, San Francisco opened the scoring with a 55-yard field goal (Super Bowl record) by Jake Moody. Relying on its runner Christian McCaffrey in the first period, the Californian franchise scored a first touchdown in the second quarter. McCaffrey escaped the Chiefs defense, which was excellent this season, to rush into the end zone (10-0).
Longest field goal in the Super Bowl
Just before the break, Kansas City finally scored, with a field goal from Harrison Butker. Then did it again in the second half, after an inconsequential interception on Patrick Mahomes, not yet in his match. Butker this time hit from a distance of 57 yards, erasing Moody’s record achieved a little earlier. The Super Bowl was then balanced, and the outgoing champions finally took the lead (13-10), on a touchdown from Marquez Valdes-Scrantling.
The rhythm of the super final was then launched. On every possession from now on, points were scored. The 49ers returned to the opposing goal, thanks to a TD from receiver Jauan Jennings (16-13). In a breathtaking finale, Moody and Butker scored field goals, the last named allowing the Kansas City Chiefs to snatch overtime. Where San Francisco struck first, again on a kick from its kicker.
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift: love and the Super Bowl
Then the Patrick Mahomes magic finally happened. The wonderful Chiefs quarterback orchestrated a comeback from three quarters of the field. He himself went to coal, notably running for 19 yards. A few minutes later, Mahomes found Rashee Rice, a first-year player, in the end zone, who caught the ball, synonymous with the winning touchdown.
The Kansas City Chiefs dynasty has once again written a beautiful page in its history. Third Super Bowl for her, for Patrick Mahomes, but also for coach Andy Reid and for receiver-blocker Travis Kelce, who is a man both happy in the game and in love. He won the title under the eyes of his partner, the world-famous singer Taylor Swift, who arrived in time from Tokyo (where she had given a concert the day before) to see her lover win. Frenchman Lucas Niang won his second Super Bowl.
Purdy not joining Joe Montana and Steve Young
The San Francisco 49ers fell with honors. Young Brock Purdy will have his chance to play for the title again. But Californians may have some regrets. The conversion of one of their touchdowns was missed (with one more point, overtime would have been avoided). On a punt by the Chiefs, they also stupidly lost the ball, and Kansas City scored in the process.
Almost 30 years since the 49ers last won the Super Bowl. The successor to the legendary Joe Montana and Steve Young, who guided San Francisco to its five championship titles, has not yet been found.