Super Bowl LVIII: Kansas City Chiefs – San Francisco 49ers: 25-22
In a game that was boring at first and then thrilling as the minutes ticked by, the Kansas City Chiefs won a third title in 5 years, definitively validating “dynasty” status. For the second time in the history of the Super Bowl era, the game went into overtime.
San Francisco had several opportunities to win this Super Bowl LVIII, but Patrick Mahomes (34/46, 333 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 66 yards rushing) found the resources to win this game at the end of the day. suspense, after 75 minutes of play.
The key moment: the Kansas City Chiefs’ winning drive
There are six seconds left in overtime when Patrick Mahomes throws what is the winning touchdown, for the returning Mecole Hardman (57 yards, 1 TD). This play concludes a 13-play, 75-yard drive that saw Patrick Mahomes once again demonstrate remarkable sag. Decisive on the ground, he was helped by Travis Kelce (93 yards), Rashee Rice (39 yards) and Isiah Pacheco (92 yards), end point of a successful redemption arc for an attack in difficulty the majority of the match.
With this victory, the legend of the Chiefs has just gained further depth.
Super Bowl LVIII MVP: Patrick Mahomes (Quarterback, Chiefs)
Three-time NFL winner, three-time Super Bowl MVP.
There aren't really any words left to describe Patrick Mahomes. In difficulty for a large part of the match, abandoned by his runners and under pressure on almost 40% of the snaps, the former Texas Tech Red Raider once again found a way to win.
Author of 333 yards in the air and 66 on the ground, he carried his team at arm's length, allowing his teammates to gain momentum as the match progressed. Never beaten, Mahomes gives the impression of being unsinkable. For the third time, he won the Super Bowl while trailing by 10 points or more. Sometimes you just have to bow to genius.
The Super Bowl LVIII movie
From the first drive, the San Francisco attack found a rhythm, with Christian McCaffrey ((160 yards, 1 TD) unstoppable on the ground and in the air. It was then that the first turning point of the match would take place: Leo Chenal causes Christian McCaffrey to lose the ball, and George Karlaftis recovers the ball.
Turnovers are often decisive in the Super Bowl, and Kyle Shanahan's men are off to a bad start. Fortunately the defense held up, and forced the Chiefs to clear without getting a single first down. San Francisco was no more successful, with a drive marked by 20 penalty yards, including 15 for Trent Williams.
After another unsuccessful attack from Patrick Mahomes' men, the match nevertheless seemed to be under the control of the 49ers. The defensive line is in good shape, like Chase Young who scored a decisive sack.
Before the end of the first act, the Niners advance in the air with unexpected heroes: Chris Conley (18 yards) and Ray-Ray McCloud (19 yards), found by Brock Purdy (>23/38, 255 yards, 1 TD) . End of the first quarter without a point, but with 125 yards for the Californians against 16 for the Chiefs.
The second quarter began with points, since after a well-defended pass by Trent McDuffie, it was Jake Moody who opened the scoring with a 55-yard field goal (0-3). Kansas City believes it can come back, with a 53-yard pass from Mahomes to Mecole Hardman. But on the next action Isiah Pacheco lost the ball while the momentum seemed to have changed.
As boredom rears its ugly head, Shanahan's men break the deadlock in the match. After a well-constructed drive, they decide to make an ambitious play, where Jauan Jennings (42 yards, 1 TD, 1 TD as QB) finds Christian McCaffrey on the pass for the 21-yard touchdown (0-10). The first touchdown of the game, finally.
For the fourth time in as many Super Bowls, Patrick Mahomes and his team are trailing by 10 points. But the quarterback never dies, and uses the 3 minutes he has left to advance his team carefully and without haste. Arik Armstead stops the offensive, but Kansas City scores points before the break, enough to restart the match a little (3-10).*
While Kansas City has the ball to start the second act, the offense will continue to sink. While Pacheco makes a second fumble which loses 12 yards, Patrick Mahomes throws an interception into the hands of Ji'Ayir Brown.
After another punt exchange, it is again Patrick Mahomes who moves his team forward, with his legs. Abandoned by his receivers, he can do no more than put his team in field goal position, converted by Harrison Butker for 57 yards (6-10).
That’s when the Niners imploded. Author of a catastrophic second half in attack, with -2 yards in 3 drives, Shanahan's men held on in defense. But it is the special team which will crack, with a ball which falls on the foot of Darrell Luter and which is recovered by Jaylen Watson. On the following action, Patrick Mahomes finds Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a finesse touchdown (13-10). The Chiefs are in front for the first time in the match.
Paradoxically, while San Francisco seems to be on the ground, this touchdown conceded will remobilize the troops. Brock Purdy regains his vista, and Brandon Aiyuk comes to help. But the most decisive man for the 49ers tonight is Jauan Jennings. It is he who scores the touchdown, and gives the advantage back to his team, even if the extra point behind is missed. (13-16) On this drive we must highlight the profitable choice of Kyle Shanahan to play a fourth attempt in the red zone.
However, no one wants to give up. Mahomes finds Travis Kelce and Justin Watson to reach the red zone. Kansas City manages the red zone poorly, with questionable calls and settles for a field goal (16-16). The two teams are back to back with 5 minutes remaining.
The 49ers go back on attack, and advance through the inevitable Jauan Jennings. Unfortunately for the Niners they can't do better than put themselves in field goal position. Jake Moody does not tremble, and gives the advantage back to San Francisco (16-19). There are less than two minutes left, but Andy Reid's men have resources. Travis Kelce is gaining strength and continues to carry this team, which fails (again) in the red zone. But the main thing remains that Kansas City can score the equalizing field goal (19-19).
Head for the extension!
The 49ers start on offense, and are very lucky not to give the ball back after 3 actions. Deon Bush commits a holding on the third attempt which gives ammunition to Brock Purdy and his men. Christian McCaffrey takes things in hand, but as often the attacks struggle in the red zone. San Francisco scores three additional points and the pressure is again on Kansas City (19-22).
It was then that Kansas City achieved the winning touchdown, not without difficulty. On the fourth attempt at the Kansas City 34, Mahomes uses his legs to extend the play and validate the first attempt. Distributing to his targets without losing patience, he advances methodically until finding Mecole Hardman for the touchdown. Checkmate.
The flop: the 49ers offensive line
The 49ers only conceded one sack in this game, which may seem like a good performance. Except that in reality the squad took on water the whole match, and Brock Purdy avoided at least 5 to 6 touchdowns through his intelligence in the pocket.
It is not possible to have no solution against a game plan known before the match, and the coaching staff will also have to answer for this. But when none of the five players seem willing to put in the effort, there's not much the coaches can do.
The stat: 25% conversion on third attempt (49ers)
In many aspects, the match of the two teams is similar: 24 first attempts (Chiefs) to 23 (49ers), 5.8 yards per play (Chiefs) against 5.4 (49ers), 2 turnovers everywhere and 55 yards of penalties (Chiefs) versus 40 (49ers).
We must therefore look for the difference in other statistical areas, such as third-down conversions. While the Chiefs overcame a poor start to the match to finish 9 out of 19, the Niners finished 3 out of 12, or 25% success. Without a response to the blitz, Shanahan's men never found solutions against a weakened squad. Safety valves like George Kittle (4 yards) seemed not to be part of the game plan too often, unacceptable at this level.
The moral: it's hard to be a kicker
Jake Moody's match is paradoxical. Author of a three out of three field goals, including two from more than 50 yards (SB record), the kicker had a great match.
Yes, but he missed the touchdown conversion that could have given his team the victory. If it is always difficult to identify the culprit in these phases of play, the kick seems very low. Details are crucial in the Super Bowl, and this action is further proof.
The kicker position will always remain the most exposed to criticism, even in an almost perfect game.
And now ?
For Kansas City, the party begins to celebrate a third title in five years and the first double in two decades. Patrick Mahomes is a legend, and is just one title behind Joe Montana.
For the 49ers, we will have to digest this cruel defeat. They had several opportunities to win, but never succeeded. Kyle Shanahan will have to overcome this new disappointment, and build around Brock Purdy, who proved tonight that he is the future of this franchise. Combative in a difficult environment, the quarterback has the makings of a very great player.
