In a commanding performance Feb. 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, the Philadelphia Eagles earned their second Super Bowl title, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22.
The Eagles’ early dominance, marked by a 24-0 halftime lead, set the tone for the game. Quarterback Jalen Hurts, who was named Super Bowl MVP, completed 17 of 22 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns and also led the team in rushing with 72 yards.
The Eagles struck first on their second drive of the game, as Hurts lofted a great ball to wide receiver Jahan Dotson for a 27-yard gain, followed immediately by a one-yard touchdown run on a quarterback sneak — a play that has become a Philadelphia signature. After a quick three-and-out from the Chiefs, the Eagles extended their lead with a 48-yard field goal from Jake Elliott. On Kansas City’s next possession, linebackers Josh Sweat and Jalyx Hunt sacked Patrick Mahomes on back-to-back plays, forcing a long third down. Mahomes attempted to make something happen, but his rushed throw was intercepted by rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean, who turned 22 years old on Super Bowl Sunday and returned the interception 38 yards for a touchdown. The play sent the Eagles sideline into a frenzy and put them up 17-0.
The Chief’s struggles continued late into the second quarter. Mahomes, under pressure again, was picked off for the second time by All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun. Philadelphia wasted no time capitalizing, as Hurts connected with receiver A.J. Brown for a 12-yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 24-0 before halftime. The Chiefs, who had built their dynasty on Mahomes’s late-game heroics, now faced an uphill battle unlike any they had encountered in their recent Super Bowl runs.
After halftime, the Eagles showed no signs of slowing down. They opened the third quarter with a methodical, 12-play drive that chewed over six minutes off the clock and ended with another field goal. Minutes later, Hurts delivered one of the game’s biggest plays, launching a 46-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver DeVonta Smith on a perfectly placed deep ball, stretching the margin to 34-0.
Kansas City finally responded in the closing seconds of the third quarter. Mahomes led a 90-yard drive that ended with a 24-yard touchdown pass to rookie receiver Xavier Worthy, though the Chiefs failed to convert the two-point attempt. The Eagles, however, remained in full control.
The Chiefs made a late push, as Mahomes found receiver DeAndre Hopkins for a seven-yard touchdown and then connected with Worthy for a 50-yard score with under two minutes left. Both two-point conversions were successful, bringing the final score to 40-22, but the outcome had long been decided.
Philadelphia’s defense was the true difference-maker, sacking Mahomes six times and forcing two crucial interceptions. The Eagles’ front four dominated without blitzing, pressuring Mahomes on nearly half of his dropbacks and making life miserable for Kansas City’s offense. The secondary, led by DeJean’s pick-six, suffocated the Chiefs’ receivers for most of the game. With the loss, Kansas City fell short of securing an unprecedented three-peat, undone by issues that had lingered throughout the season. The offensive line struggled to contain the Eagles’ relentless pass rush, forcing Mahomes into hurried throws and limiting the effectiveness of the passing game. Outside of Worthy, the Chiefs’ receiving corps failed to make an impact, while veteran tight end Travis Kelce was held in check, leaving questions about his future as he nears the twilight of his career. As Kansas City heads into the offseason, reinforcing the offensive line and adding reliable playmakers will be crucial if they hope to return to the Super Bowl stage.
For Philadelphia, they can celebrate a championship earned through dominance in all phases of the game. From Hurts’ poised leadership to the defense’s relentless pressure, the Eagles left no doubt about their place atop the NFL. With a strong core intact and a front office adept at keeping the roster competitive, Philadelphia is well-positioned to defend its title. While the road to repeating will be challenging, this Super Bowl victory cements the Eagles as the league’s newest powerhouse, and if their performance in New Orleans was any indication, they certainly won’t be slowing down anytime soon.
