Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles denied the Kansas City Chiefs a historic three-peat as they stormed to a 40-22 victory over the back-to-back defending champions to win Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans.
It would be sweet, destructive revenge – rather than repeat – as the Eagles toppled the team that had broken their hearts at Super Bowl 57 two years ago. The Chiefs edged it 38-35 on that occasion and entered Sunday having won 12 games by one possession this season; this time, it was never even close as any good fortune within those tight match-ups expired in dramatic, merciless fashion.
Hurts was named Super Bowl MVP as he finished 17 of 22 for 221 yards, throwing two touchdown passes to AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith and an interception, as well as rushing for 72 yards and a score.
The majestic best of Saquon Barkley was not required on a night that saw the newly-crowned Offensive Player of the Year post 57 yards to break Terrell Davis’ all-time record for most single-season rushing yards, including playoffs.
It marked the 28th birthday of Barkley and the 22nd birthday of standout cornerback Cooper DeJean, who returned an interception for a 38-yard pick-six to help the Eagles carry a 24-0 lead into half-time.
Nick Sirianni’s side were bigger, faster, stronger and smarter as they thrived on a raucous atmosphere that created the feel of Philly while suffocating Patrick Mahomes with their No 1-ranked defense and neutralising a Steve Spagnuolo defense that had spearheaded Kansas City’s last two Super Bowl seasons.
Mahomes was skittish all night in the face of a ferocious Philly front, finishing 21 of 32 for 257 yards, with three consolation touchdowns and those two interceptions. He was sacked six times and hit 11 times in total while being denied a fourth Super Bowl ring before the age of 30.
The night began with a celebration of NOLA vibrancy with a Crescent City bonanza of jazz, marching bands and Mardis Gras costumes. It continued with the artistry of 22-time Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar, including the special guest narration of Hollywood icon Samuel L Jackson, in a half-time show that would make for a debate over whether Drake or the Chiefs had taken a heavier defeat. And it concluded with Hurts, Barkley, Sirianni and their steamrollering Eagles storming the doors to the NFL’s ‘Promised Land’.
