Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes Rally in Second Half, Top Eagles to Win Super Bowl
At a sight that has featured some all-time classics, the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles gave the world another one during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on Sunday.
Despite trailing by 10 headed into halftime, the Chiefs offense took over in the second half en route to a 38-35 win to claim the Lombardi Trophy.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes took home Super Bowl MVP honors after going 21 of 27 passing for 182 yards and three touchdowns while star tight end Travis Kelce finished with six catches for 81 yards and a score.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts had the game of his life, going 27 of 38 passing for 304 yards and a score, though it was his 15 carries for 70 yards and three rushing touchdowns that was the highlight.
Philly receivers DeVonta Smith (seven catches, 100 yards) and AJ Brown (six catches, 96 yards, one touchdown) were electric in the passing game but were unable to get a late shot at a go-ahead score.
The game started off as a classic back-and-forth. The two teams found themselves tied at 14-14 midway through the second quarter, as a 45-yard touchdown grab from Brown and a 36-yard fumble recovery for a score from Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton highlighted an exciting start.
But it was the Eagles who seized control in the closing minutes of the half, a shift that was aided by an awkward-looking ankle injury for Mahomes. Ten quick points by Philly in the final two minutes and change sent the Eagles to the locker room with a 24-14. Hurts already had two rushing scores under his belt.
After some extra-long rest, Chiefs and a healthy-looking Mahomes trotted out in the third quarter and responded well despite the double-digit deficit. Kansas City rookie running back Isiah Pacheco powered in for a one-yard score to make it a 24-21 game.
The Chiefs defense held the Eagles to just three points in the third quarter, though it was Philly who held a 27-21 lead as the fourth quarter began.
But then Kadarius Toney happened.
The second-year receiver, who was acquired by Kansas City at mid-season, waltzed in for a five-yard touchdown to begin the fourth quarter, giving Kansas City its first lead of the game at 28-27.
And after an Eagles three-and-out, he had a 65-yard punt return to set the Chiefs up at the Philly five-yard line. The longest punt return in Super Bowl history had come at a more-than-ideal time for Kansas City.
This set up a walk-in touchdown from rookie receiver Skyy Moore, who extended the Chiefs' lead at 35-27.
Hurts and company responded, as the star dual-threat signal-caller tallied his third rushing score and an ensuing two-point conversion to tie the game at 35-35.
But in classic Chiefs fashion - along with a controversial holding penalty against Philly that allowed Kansas City to drain the clock - the team from Arrowhead set up a go-ahead 27-yard field goal from kicker Harrison Butker with eight seconds left to bring down the red confetti.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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