It’s been 50 years in the making, but the Kansas City Chiefs were able to yet again raise the Lombardi Trophy in victory.
If the Chiefs have taught us anything in the playoffs, it’s how to believe in ourselves and others when things aren’t going so great, and that it’s never over until there’s no time left on the clock.
After another slow start in a game, the Chiefs overcame a double-digit point deficit to win the game. Those who aren’t Chiefs fans might not understand how this team could do it, but those who are first got a glimpse of it last year. The Chiefs engineered a comeback against the New England Patriots in the 2018 AFC Championship, only to fall short of a victory. This season, it was the games against the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans which gave us an insight into the resolve and strength of this team when facing adversity.
The San Francisco 49ers should have paid more attention.
Even with a tie heading into halftime, the momentum of the game favored the 49ers, who took the lead in the third quarter and eventually made it 20-10. Patrick Mahomes threw two interceptions, one in the third quarter and one in the fourth quarter. The 49ers were the dominant team for three-and-a-half quarters, giving the Chiefs offense and defense a hard time. It seemed there was no stopping them.
Then the Chiefs decided to be themselves.
With 9:01 left in the fourth, the 49ers punted the ball back to the Chiefs. They worked on taking the ball down the field, and after a challenge by San Francisco on a completed pass from Mahomes to Tyreek Hill it left the Chiefs with a third-and-15. With the very next play, Mahomes connected with Hill for 44 yards. This play moved the Chiefs into 49ers’ territory on the 21-yard line with a little over seven minutes left in the game. A few plays later, Mahomes threw a pass to Travis Kelce for a touchdown and cut the 49ers’ lead to three points.
The last 6:13 of the game would show those around the NFL what makes the Chiefs who they are. The defense was able to force the 49ers to a three-and-out, allowing the offense to get the ball back with a little over five minutes left in the game. Seven plays later, despite Mahomes getting sacked, Damien Williams scored the first of his two fourth-quarter touchdowns. This would allow the Chiefs to lead for the first time in the second half of the game.
After stopping the 49ers again with less than a minute and a half left in the game, Williams got the ball and took it back into the endzone to make it 31-20. Kendall Fuller was able to intercept a throw by Garoppolo at the 1:08 mark. Despite the 49ers calling timeouts between Mahomes taking a knee, the Chiefs were able to run the clock out and seal their Super Bowl victory.
It may not have been a pretty package wrapped in shiny paper with a bow, but the Chiefs did what they do best and scored 21 unanswered points in the last half of the 4th quarter. The Chiefs’ three double-digit comeback wins are the first time that’s ever happened in the post-season.
Despite not having one of his better games, Mahomes was crowned the Super Bowl MVP. He was 26-for-42 for 286 yards, 29 rushing yards, threw for two touchdowns, had two interceptions and was sacked four times for a total loss of 18 yards. Those stats tell us a lot about the 49ers’ defense and how they prepared to play against Mahomes, but it doesn’t define the never give up attitude Mahomes brings to the table to serve up to his teammates. That’s really what makes him the MVP of not only the Super Bowl but the entire postseason.
Mahomes is the youngest player to ever win both the NFL MVP and the Super Bowl. He joins Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger to become the third quarterback under 25 to win a Super Bowl.
The Chiefs get their long-awaited win, and they get to go for it all over again next season.
Final Score: Chiefs 31, 49ers 20
