The Kansas City Chiefs became NFL Champions for a second time in four years after staging a major comeback in one of the greatest Super Bowls of all time at the State Farm Stadium in Arizona.
The Chiefs trailed by 10 at half-time, with Mahomes limping his way into the locker room after aggravating the ankle injury he picked up earlier in the playoffs. But after the interval Mahomes led his team on four-consecutive scoring drives to stun the Eagles.
The Kansas City Chiefs lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy! 🏆#SuperBowl | Sky Sports pic.twitter.com/AdiMCmVhxv
— Sky Sports NFL (@SkySportsNFL) February 13, 2023
The first half consisted of Eagles domination, with Mahomes’ opposite number Jalen Hurts producing an all-time individual performance on the biggest stage, completing 27 of 38 passes for 304 yards and running in three touchdowns.
But the game swung to the Chiefs in the second half as Mahomes stepped up to the plate and secured Super Bowl MVP, becoming the first player since 1999 to win the season MVP, the Super Bowl and the Super Bowl MVP in the same season.
The game burst into life early in the first quarter, hinting at the entertainment to come, as the Eagles scored on their opening drive for the 11th time this season. Mahomes, unphased by his ankle issue in the early exchanges, linked up with his favourite target, Travis Kelce, for an 18-yard score to tie things up at 7-7.
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The Chiefs missed the chance to take the lead later in the first quarter as Harrison Butker hit his first field goal attempt off the upright, and Philadelphia nudged ahead again to start the second as Hurts, with all day to throw, found AJ Brown for a massive 44-yard touchdown.
A.J. BROWN OH MY GOODNESS 😱
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/B8tG2u2Wrw
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 13, 2023
A Hurts fumble on their next possession saw the Chiefs level things up, but the Eagles QB swiftly made amends with his second rushing touchdown of the first half.
Philadelphia further added to the lead through a Jake Elliot field goal at the end of the first half, shortly after Mahomes’ ankle got banged up whilst being chased down by TJ Edwards on a scramble.
Mahomes doing THIS on his bad ankle is ridiculous pic.twitter.com/5s3UD9e7Zv
— JM Football (@JomboyMediaFB) February 13, 2023
He grimaced into the locker room, only to return after Rihanna’s half-time spectacular in inspired form, firing the Chiefs to a memorable victory.