"Clueless" Chiefs Mahome-schooled by the Eagles at Superbowl LIX

Like many others, I came into Super Bowl LIX expecting a close game, the bookies had the teams fairly even going in (albeit with the Chiefs slightly favoured) and both teams had much to play for. The eagles were looking for redemption, after falling to the Chiefs in the 4th quarter of Super Bowl LVII, this was their chance for revenge.

Likewise, the Chiefs wanted to make history as the first team to complete a ‘three-peat’ winning 3 super bowls in a row, cementing their place alongside Tom Brady's Patriots and Aaron Rodgers’ Green Bay Packers as being the best of the best. What followed instead was unfortunately, nowhere near what was expected. 

The game was ultimately a tale of one half, the Chiefs turned over the ball three times, including a pick six by cornerback Cooper Dejean (who celebrated his 22nd birthday the same day) and gained just 23 yards in the entirety of the first half. Tight End Travis Kelce was unable to make a single catch and Mahomes was repeatedly sacked by the Philadelphia Defence.

The Chiefs offence that had looked so dominant all season looked absolutely clueless, and ultimately a clinical Jalen Hurts for the Eagles cut through the Chiefs defence to build up an insurmountable 24-0 lead by the half, the second highest in super bowl history. In just 30 minutes of play, the game seemed settled and Kansas City’s dream of making history was in shatters, the bookies gave as high as 20/1 odds for a comeback and even Trump had seen enough, leaving just before the half. 

Not wanting to sustain injuries to their starting players, the Eagles in the 3rd and 4th quarter brought in the backups, providing some mercy to Patrick Mahomes who was able to throw 3 late touchdowns against the inferior opponents to make the score a more respectable 40-22 loss once the game ended.

In just one half of American football, the Chiefs kingdom had completely collapsed in on itself, Travis Kelce’s future at tight end seems unclear and rebuilding the squad in the off season after such an embarrassing defeat seems like a huge task for the organisation. The Chiefs dynasty that at one point in the season seemed so certain is now in tatters, Patrick Mahomes has promised his team will come back better next year, whether they can recover still remains to be seen.