With a score of 40-22, the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl for the second time in their franchise’s history. The possibility of the first three-peat in NFL history at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs was ripped away when the Eagles scored 27 straight points, all before the Chiefs reached the end zone for the first time late in the first half. Both teams had promising seasons with similar records, with the Chiefs slightly favored to win, and based on the Chiefs’ recent playoff successes, this outcome was unexpected.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was named the Super Bowl MVP, finishing the night 17-of-22 for 221 yards and two touchdowns. After falling just short at the 2023 Super Bowl, Hurts’s determination to avenge his team in the biggest game of the season was clear from the start.
At the beginning of the game, the Eagles defense sacked Patrick Mahomes multiple times, not allowing him to reach his receivers successfully. After Hurts scored the night’s first touchdown, rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean managed to intercept Mahomes and score another touchdown just before halftime. While most of the expectations were placed on the Eagles’ offense, it ended up being the Eagles’ sly defense that demolished the Chiefs.
Although junior Kailey Abraham was rooting for the Eagles this Super Bowl, she was more so interested in seeing an exciting game between the two teams.
“I was hoping to see a Super Bowl game, and a climax. I thought it was pretty underwhelming,” says Abraham. “The Chiefs’ organization on their offense was where they definitely lacked.”
With the first half ending at a score of 24-0, recent Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar took the stage in a patriotic manner, the stage decked out in red, white, and blue. It was an act filled with political messaging and social commentary. Dressed as Uncle Sam, Samuel L. Jackson represented the part of America that silences black artists and controls how they express themselves.
Lamar chose to perform songs from his recent album GNX. Supported by his 80 backup dancers, he brought up SZA on stage, who featured with him on “All the Stars” and “luther”. Amidst the controversial beef between Lamar and Drake, Lamar also brought Serena Williams, once rumored to be Drake’s ex, on stage.
After halftime ended and the game was resumed, one of the most heartbreaking plays of the night for the Chiefs took place. With less than three minutes to go in the third quarter, Hurts threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver DeVonta Smith.
The Chiefs’ defense was mainly focused on stopping running back Saquon Barkley due to his two thousand-yard season, which allowed the Eagles’ receiving game to make some big plays. On the other side of the ball, the Eagles defense sacked Mahomes six times across the entire night, and notably, they did not blitz Mahomes once. Although the Chiefs have been praised for their phenomenal offensive line, they came up short on Sunday night.
“Being a long-time Chiefs fan, it was obviously disappointing. The Eagles played a very, very good game, so that’s why the outcome resulted the way it did,” says Wendy Merrell, Secretary and Communications Coordinator, who was born and raised in Kansas City. “But I’m still a very committed and devoted Chiefs fan. Always will be.”
In garbage time, the Chiefs managed to score two more touchdowns. Rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy was able to find openings in the Eagles’ defense and brought up the score from a rough 40-6 to a much softer blow of 40-22.
The Calabasas football team has reason to celebrate, too. It is the first time in Coyote history that an alum has appeared in and won a Super Bowl. Johnny Wilson, class of 2019, played his rookie season with the Eagles. Although Wilson didn’t touch the field on Sunday, he has shown that he can be a vital part of the Eagles’ receiving team.
