Chiefs storm back to defeat Eagles in Super Bowl LVII

Mahomes completed 21 of 27 passes (77.8%) for 182 yards and three touchdown passes. He finished with a passer rating of 131.8. He rushed six times for 44 yards, including a key 26-yard scramble to get into Butker’s range. Mahomes was named Super Bowl MVP, his second such award.

“That Texas gunslinger isn’t going to let anything get in the way,” Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid praised Mahomes, who aggravated his right high ankle sprain, after the title win.

“He grew up in a locker room,” Reid said. “He’s seen the greats. He strives to be the greatest. Without saying anything, that’s the way he works.

“He wants to be the greatest player ever. That’s what he wants to do. That’s the way he goes about his business and he does it humbly.”

Mahomes was injured right before halftime.

“I went in at halftime and got taped up a little bit,” Mahomes said. “Going into that second half, it didn’t feel good, but I was going to leave everything out there. I’m glad we got out of there with a win.”

Mahomes’ performance slightly out-shined Hurts, who completed 27 of 38 passes (71.1%) for 304 yards and a touchdown for the Eagles He finished with a passer rating of 103.4. Hurts also rushed 15 times for 70 yards -- the most yards rushing by a quarterback in Super Bowl history -- and three rushing touchdowns. His Hail Mary pass at the buzzer was incomplete with seconds left following the Chiefs’ field goal.

“To me, Jalen played best game that I’ve seen him play in the two years we’ve been together,” Sirianni said. “He was outstanding. I thought he was in complete control. He did things with his legs in the running game. He did things with his arm in the passing game. He made some unbelievable throws. Unbelievable reads. I thought he played outstanding.”

The Chiefs finished the season 17-3 and have their second Super Bowl title over the past four seasons. The Eagles finished their stellar campaign at 16-4.

“It’s one thing about getting your first one,” Kelce said. “It’s a whole (different) feeling to get two. I wanted this one more than I ever wanted a game in my life. The guys in this locker room, the teammates that I have, they felt the same way.”

The Chiefs didn’t want to use the word dynasty.

“The biggest difference is that it solidifies your greatness,” Kelce said. “You didn’t get lucky and win it once. It wasn’t just you beginner’s luck or (whatever) you guys want to call it. ... We took it two out of four years.”

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell insisted that the officiating has been as ‘good as it’s ever been.” However a questionable holding call on Eagles cornerback James Bradberry aided the Chiefs on their final drive. On a third-and-8 from the 15-yard line, Bradberry was flagged against Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on a pass that fell incomplete. The penalty gave the Chiefs a first down with 1:48 remaining.

“It’s not my job … to make the call,” Siranni said. “Those guys have to do that in split seconds.”

Bradbury admitted following the game that he held Smith-Schuster.

Hurts did have a key fumble that led to a touchdown by Nick Bolton in the first half.

“It hurt us,” Hurts said. “I don’t do it to seek anyone’s approval. I do it for the guys in the locker room. It’s a tough feeling to come up short.”

Hurts ran for two scores and tossed another as the Eagles dominated the first half. The Eagles led the Chiefs 24-14 at halftime. The Chiefs scored on every second-half possession.

“Let’s get out there and be ourselves,” Kelce said was the Chiefs’ halftime message.

If it wasn’t for a Hurts’ fumble that Bolton returned 36-yards for a touchdown, the Chiefs would have been down 24-7.

Both teams opened the game with touchdown drives.

The Eagles scored on a 1-yard run by Hurts to cap an 11-play 75-yard drive that took 4:51 off the clock.

It didn’t take the Chiefs long to answer.

Mahomes tossed an 18-yard touchdown pass Kelce to finish off a six-play, 75-yard drive that took 3:12 off the clock. The Chiefs had runs of 20 and 24 yards rookie running back Isiah Pacheco in the drive.

The Eagles bungled their second possession. On first down, wide receiver Zach Paschal was called for offensive pass interference. He was blocking on a screen play.

The Eagles couldn’t overcome first down-and-20 and were forced to punt after Hurts tossed the ball away on third-and-14 from the 21.

The Chiefs went on the move and drove down to the Eagles’ 24 before stalling. Butker’s 42-yard field goal attempt hit the left upright.

On the first play of the second quarter, Hurts went down field for Brown, with cornerback Trent McDuffie in coverage and safety Juan Thornhill nearby, A.J. Brown hauled in a 45-yard bomb for a touchdown to make it 14-7.

The Eagles’ defense forced a three-and-out and had moved into the Chiefs’ territory. A false start on third-and-1 pushed the ball back to the Eagles’ 47.

Hurts was then stunned by Bolton and lost the ball while trying to switch hands. Bolton scooped up the ball and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown. Butker’s kick tied the game.

“We just had a five-man rush,” Bolton said. “They ended up sliding down and were pulling a guard or a center. That just left two in the gap and they couldn’t block me and Chris (Jones). I was unblocked and I was able punch the ball out as well. I got a scoop and score.”

The Eagles went back on the move and converted two fourth downs in a 12-play drive. Hurts scored on a 4-yard run with 7:19 left in the second quarter. Elliot’s kick made it 21-14.

The Chiefs, still trying to get moving, had a third-and-15. Mahomes scrambled and was tackled by line backer T.J. Edwards and came up limping.

After the Chiefs’ punt, the Eagles, used a nifty catch-and-run by Brown to get into field goal range. Elliot added a 35-yard field goal at the first-half buzzer.

Mahomes started the comeback on the first drive of the second half for the Chiefs.

He had a key 14-yard scramble to help the Chiefs move in to scoring position. Pacheco scored on a yard touchdown run to cap an 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that took 5:30 off the clock. Butker’s kick made it 24-21 with 9:30 left in the third quarter.

On the Eagles next possession, Bolton apparently scooped up another fumble and scored on a 24-yard run, but the officials ruled that Eagles running back Mile Sanders did not complete the catch before L’Jarius Sneed jarred the ball loose.

The Eagles’ drive stalled at the 15-yard line. Elliot made a 33-yard field goal to make it 27-21 with 1:45 left in the third quarter.

The 16-play, 60-yard drive took 6:58 off the clock and kept the Chiefs’ offense off the field.

The Chiefs zipped down the field and Mahomes tossed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Kadarius Toney. Butker’s kick gave the Chiefs a 28-27 lead, their first of the game, with 12:04 to play.

On the touchdown, Toney went in motion and then went back outside. Eagles cornerback Darius Slay couldn’t make it back outside to the wide open Toney, who skipped into the end zone.

The Eagles were forced to punt and Toney gathered in a short 38-yard punt, went to right left and broke free behind a wall of blockers. He returned the punt 65 yards to the Eagles’ 5-yard line.

After a run for a yard and an incomplete pass, Mahomes found a wide open Skyy Moore, off similar motion that Toney used, for a 4-yard touchdown. Butker’s kick made it 35-27.

The Eagles answered with Hurts connecting with Devonta Smith for a 45-yarder. He scored this third rushing touchdown and the two-point conversion to make it 35-35 with 5:15 to play.

That set the stage for Mahomes’ last drive and Butker’s kick. He also made a game-winner in the AFC championship game.

“I felt like this was going to be a big boy game where both of your lines were going to have to step up and play well and they did on both sides,” Reid said. “Everything wasn’t smooth, but they kept going.”

Reid join a group of 13 coaches who’ve won multiple Super Bowls.

“I’m honored to be in the group,” Reid said. “I’m very fortunate. I have a lot of great players that have helped me get to this spot and a lot of great coaches.”

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