After 18 weeks of ups and downs, an additional four of an action packed postseason, it all came down to two teams, the 14-3, number one seeded Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. 

Both teams were on a tear all year, so it was only right we got to see the best player in the National Football League (Patrick Mahomes) play the best top to bottom team in the league (Eagles). The Eagles were 1.5 point favorites, and with the over under being 51.5, many had high expectations to be one of the best Super Bowls of all time.

A few storylines everyone had their eyes on, The Kelce Bowl. How would tight end Travis Kelce play for KC and how would the Eagles offensive line perform led by brother Jason Kelce? It was also the first time that two brothers played each other in the Super Bowl. Hurts vs Mahomes. The MVP runner up vs the MVP. Historically speaking, the runner up was 3-0 in the big game. Andy Ried vs the Eagles. After spending 14 years with the team, and taking them to a Super Bowl, would Ried get the last laugh as head coach of the team across the field?

It would be a rough start for the Chiefs, as they won the coin toss. Over the last eight years, the team that won the coin toss lost the game. With Kansas City kicking things off, Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense came ready to play, as they took the opening drive 75 yards in 4:51 drive, going up 7-0. KC answered right back with a touchdown to Travis Kelce, tying things up at 7-7 to end the first. 

Many thought this game would be an offensive explosion, and the fireworks would show for both teams, but especially Philly in the second. The Eagles played their game plan to perfection, holding onto the ball for practically the entire second quarter. However, Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton had the play of his life, as Hurts fumbled the ball after getting hit in the pocket, and Bolton bolted for a 36 yard scoop and score, on the second ever in Super Bowl history. But that was all the Chiefs defense could do, as Philly went up at half 24-14. All signs pointed to Philly holding on, as teams up by 10+ at the half had a 26-1 record (I’ll be nice to Falcons fans for once and not bring up the only team to lose).

KC started with the ball following the half, and they took it down to the one yard line, where rookie running back Isiah Pacheco punched it in, but as he went to celebrate, he slipped on the turf. He wasn’t the only one sliding around all day, as the field conditions were awful, with players having to switch their cleats out as the entire turf was painted in some way, making it near impossible to plant your feet and make a play. Philly was still up 24-21 but a long, 7:45 drive ended in just three points, and KC cut the deficit from 10 to six, and a victor would be decided in 15 minutes.

In the 2022 offseason, Chiefs star wide receiver Tyreek Hill requested a trade from the team, after the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement on a new contract. With their star wideout out of the picture, KC made two moves throughout the season to replace him. First, they selected Western Michigan’s Skyy Moore with the 54th overall pick in the draft. They then went out and got former first round pick from the New York Giants, Kadarius Toney. 

After both teams traded punts, Mahomes found Toney with no one in sight, and he scored, giving the Chiefs their first lead of the game, 28-27. KC wasn’t done yet, as after another stop on defense forced a punt, Toney set the record for the longest punt return in Super Bowl history, and was just five yards from being the first player to score on a punt return in the big game. Three plays later, Moore made his impact, as he put the Chiefs up 35-27 with another wide open touchdown. 

Philly wasn’t dead yet, as Jalen Hurts became the first player to pull an Octopus (scoring the touchdown and two-point conversion) in the Superbowl, tying it up at 35. 

Here’s the situation. 1:54 left. 3rd & 8. Both teams have two timeouts. JuJu Smith-Schuster vs James Bradburry. Smith-Schuster goes in motion, Bradburry in press coverage. Bradburry grabs a little jersey twice, and Mahomes overthrows the ball in that direction. Late flag comes out, automatic first down. In a game that the officials were quiet all game, they finally came in and were the ultimate X-factor. Chiefs go up 38-35. With eight seconds left, Hurts launched a deep bomb, with an injured throwing shoulder, but no Eagles were in a 10 yard radius, and the Chiefs came out victorious in Super Bowl LVII, their second in four years.