Mahomes delivers clutch touchdown in OT; Chiefs win back-to-back Super Bowls
Ignacius Carell Cruz
Two-time Most Valuable Player Patrick Mahomes denied San Francisco once more after throwing the dynasty-cementing touchdown in overtime as he led the Kansas City Chiefs to back-to-back Super Bowls, 25-22, inside the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Monday.
Mahomes, who was awarded his third Super Bowl Most Valuable Player trophy, threw 333 yards with a 74% completion rate and rushed for 66 more, majority of which came in the sudden death period to dissect a stifling 49ers defense which even forced him to his first interception in the postseason.
In the overtime period, the Chiefs defense, which is one of the best in the NFL, came to life to prevent a game-winning touchdown from San Francisco and forcing them to only a field-goal conversion and giving Kansas City a chance to repeat or extend the game.
With the margin of error at absolute zero, the Chiefs relied on their prized quarterback and he did not disappoint.
Mahomes calmly delivered as he tore down the evidently gassed 49ers defense on his way to a Super Bowl-winning pass to Mecole Hardman to strengthen his case as one of football’s greatest quarterbacks behind the likes of Tom Brady.
“I’m so proud of the team, so proud of the guys since we battled until the very end,” said Mahomes. “We battled through the adversity this year. Guys staying with the process, and keeping believing.”
San Francisco came out of the gates on fire and built an early 10-3 lead going into the halftime break courtesy of a trick play from the 49ers where wide receiver Jauan Jennings threw a touchdown pass to McCaffrey to punish a discombobulated Chiefs defense.
However, Kansas City proved that they are the reigning world champions after kicker Harrison Butker converted a record-setting 57-yard field goal, capped off by a Mahomes touchdown pass to wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to give the Chiefs its first lead of the game, 13-10, going into the payoff period.
San Francisco replied immediately courtesy of Jennings who became the first player since Nick Foles in Super Bowl LII to record a passing and receiving touchdown in the championship game to retake the lead for the 49ers, 16-13.
With less than two minutes left in the fourth, Moody scored three more points for San Francisco, this time, from about 53 yards, however, Butker had an answer as he knotted the score at 19-all to send the game to overtime.
It was the third time that the Mahomes-led Chiefs had trailed by 10 in the Super Bowl previously against the Eagles and the 49ers before producing a gallant comeback to win it all.
Despite playing their worst season in the Mahomes era and losing one of their best players Tyreek Hill in the offseason, the Chiefs delivered on the day when it mattered most despite the highest number of dropped passes in the regular season and committing inconsistencies which are uncharacteristic of the reigning champs.
Meanwhile, Brock Purdy gave it his all after throwing 255 yards on 23/38 pass completion. Christian McCaffrey’s effort was also nothing short of spectacular for the 49ers as he became the first player in NFL history to record 80+ rushing and 80+ receiving yards in the Super Bowl.
This was the first time in almost two decades that a team has went on to win back-to-back Super Bowls, a feat achieved by New England Patriots in 2003 and 2004 led by a young Tom Brady.
Two-time Most Valuable Player Patrick Mahomes denied San Francisco once more after throwing the dynasty-cementing touchdown in overtime as he led the Kansas City Chiefs to back-to-back Super Bowls, 25-22, inside the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Monday.
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| Photo Courtesy of Julio Cortez |
Mahomes, who was awarded his third Super Bowl Most Valuable Player trophy, threw 333 yards with a 74% completion rate and rushed for 66 more, majority of which came in the sudden death period to dissect a stifling 49ers defense which even forced him to his first interception in the postseason.
In the overtime period, the Chiefs defense, which is one of the best in the NFL, came to life to prevent a game-winning touchdown from San Francisco and forcing them to only a field-goal conversion and giving Kansas City a chance to repeat or extend the game.
With the margin of error at absolute zero, the Chiefs relied on their prized quarterback and he did not disappoint.
Mahomes calmly delivered as he tore down the evidently gassed 49ers defense on his way to a Super Bowl-winning pass to Mecole Hardman to strengthen his case as one of football’s greatest quarterbacks behind the likes of Tom Brady.
“I’m so proud of the team, so proud of the guys since we battled until the very end,” said Mahomes. “We battled through the adversity this year. Guys staying with the process, and keeping believing.”
San Francisco came out of the gates on fire and built an early 10-3 lead going into the halftime break courtesy of a trick play from the 49ers where wide receiver Jauan Jennings threw a touchdown pass to McCaffrey to punish a discombobulated Chiefs defense.
However, Kansas City proved that they are the reigning world champions after kicker Harrison Butker converted a record-setting 57-yard field goal, capped off by a Mahomes touchdown pass to wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to give the Chiefs its first lead of the game, 13-10, going into the payoff period.
San Francisco replied immediately courtesy of Jennings who became the first player since Nick Foles in Super Bowl LII to record a passing and receiving touchdown in the championship game to retake the lead for the 49ers, 16-13.
With less than two minutes left in the fourth, Moody scored three more points for San Francisco, this time, from about 53 yards, however, Butker had an answer as he knotted the score at 19-all to send the game to overtime.
It was the third time that the Mahomes-led Chiefs had trailed by 10 in the Super Bowl previously against the Eagles and the 49ers before producing a gallant comeback to win it all.
Despite playing their worst season in the Mahomes era and losing one of their best players Tyreek Hill in the offseason, the Chiefs delivered on the day when it mattered most despite the highest number of dropped passes in the regular season and committing inconsistencies which are uncharacteristic of the reigning champs.
Meanwhile, Brock Purdy gave it his all after throwing 255 yards on 23/38 pass completion. Christian McCaffrey’s effort was also nothing short of spectacular for the 49ers as he became the first player in NFL history to record 80+ rushing and 80+ receiving yards in the Super Bowl.
This was the first time in almost two decades that a team has went on to win back-to-back Super Bowls, a feat achieved by New England Patriots in 2003 and 2004 led by a young Tom Brady.