On Sunday, Feb. 9, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs matched up to see who would be crowned champion, in the NFL’s 2025 Super Bowl. The game, which took place in New Orleans, featured two teams that have been accustomed to winning in recent years. The Chiefs came into the game looking to win their third consecutive Super Bowl, something that no other NFL team has ever done. It also marked the fifth time in the last six seasons that the Chiefs played in the championship game, having won three. The Eagles were also making a relatively quick return to the Super Bowl, as they actually lost to the Chiefs in the big game two seasons ago in 2023. The Eagles were trying to get their revenge, while the Chiefs were looking to make history. It was the Eagles that would do all the celebrating by the end of the night, as they dominated the Chiefs from start to finish, winning 42-20.
After both teams had to punt away their first drives, the Eagles made their way in for a score later in the first quarter. The Eagles drive looked like it was going to be stopped just over mid field, but an unnecessary roughness penalty kept it alive. Two plays later, Jalen Hurts connected with Jahan Dotson on a pass that got them all the way down to the one yard line. The Eagles lined up in their iconic tush-push formation to get Hurts in for the first score of the game, making it 7-0 in favor of the Eagles.
The story of the first half began to be the Eagles stifling defense, as a punt seemed to be the best-case scenario for Kansas City. Already up 10-0 midway through the second quarter, the Eagles defense sacked Patrick Mahomes on back-to-back plays, making it third and long in their own territory. On the third down play Iowa native Cooper DeJean picked off Mahomes and took it back 38 yards for a touchdown. Soon after, another Eagles interception, this time by Zach Baun, put them in perfect position for another score. They did not waste the opportunity, as Hurts threw his first touchdown of the day, and A.J. Brown was on the receiving end. Going into the halftime break it was the Eagles up big, 24-0.
Following the halftime performance by Kendrick Lamar, it was back to football, as the Eagles kicked it off to start the second half. The struggles for the Chiefs continued into the second half, as they got nothing on their first two drives. The Eagles kept on scoring, getting a field goal on their first drive, and a one-play 46-yard touchdown pass from Hurts to DeVonta Smith on their second. The Eagles held a 34-0 lead late into the third quarter, and it seemed clear that the Chiefs would not be able to come back.
The Chiefs were able to finally get on the scoreboard late in the third quarter when Mahomes connected with Xavier Worthy on a 24-yard touchdown. The Chiefs would score a couple more touchdowns before the games end, but it was far too little too late. The Eagles took the Lombardi trophy running away, 40-22.
The Eagles were led in a big way by the defense. They dominated the Chiefs offense all game, sacking Mahomes six different times, forcing a fumble on him and intercepting him twice. Josh Sweat led the way in sacks with two and a half, while Milton Williams had two. On the offensive side of the field, it was Hurts who was the big difference maker. He threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns, and also ran for 72 yards and a touchdown. His performance not only helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl, but also helped him win Super Bowl MVP.
