Super Bowl LIX: Eagles’ Defense Batter Patrick Mahomes in Blowout

Quarters and Halves

New Orleans — Quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ hopes for the NFL’s first Super Bowl three-peat were buried at the Chiefs’ 38-yard line in the second quarter Sunday.

All that was missing was a New Orleans-style second-line parade, complete with a brass marching band and mourners donning colorful suits and twirling umbrellas.

With the Chiefs trailing 10-0, Mahomes was sacked on first down by Eagles linebacker Josh Sweat, sacked on second down by Sweat and linebacker Jalyx Hunt, then threw a third-and-16 interception that rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean returned 38 yards for a touchdown and a 17-0 lead.

Mahomes had rolled to his right and tried to rifle a pass to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was well-covered and tumbled to the ground. Mahomes didn’t see DeJean playing zone defense underneath. DeJean picked off the pass at the numbers to Mahomes’ right, took off across the field, and ran up the opposite sideline. He wasn’t touched until he stomped across the goal line.

A Master Class by Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio

It was a master class by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who held the same role with the Bears in 2015-18. Fangio, 66, won his first Super Bowl in the stadium where he once coached the Saints’ linebackers into the formidable ‘Dome Patrol’ and where he lost his only other chance 12 years ago when the 49ers fell to the Ravens.

‘Vic’s been a great coordinator in this league for decades,’ Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. ‘And he was awesome tonight.’

Fangio beat Mahomes without tricks. The Eagles didn’t blitz once. The damage they did with only four pass rushers was remarkable. The Eagles had six sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.

A Turning Point

DeJean’s interception tilted the game for good. It was his first career pick, and he became the first player since 1948 to score a championship-game touchdown on his birthday. DeJean, who wore his high school letterman’s jacket from Odebolt, Iowa, into the Superdome, turned 22 on Sunday.

A Dominant Performance

The Chiefs might have been in familiar territory — they had trailed by 10 points or more in every Super Bowl they had been to under coach Andy Reid — but this felt different. Mahomes sat on the bench, dazed. Tight end Travis Kelce didn’t even secure his first catch until after halftime.

The Chiefs trailed 24-0 at halftime, having managed only one first down. They didn’t cross midfield until the middle of the third quarter. It took them more than 44 minutes to score, and they were down 34-0 by then.

A Strong Finish

Hurts was named MVP after throwing for 221 yards on 17-for-22 passing and rushing for 72 yards on 11 carries.

He benefitted from a dominant defense. Leading up to the game, Fangio showed the Eagles film of the 49ers — and their mistakes — in his only previous Super Bowl appearance. He vowed his team wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice.

‘Vic called a great game, switching up the coverages,’ linebacker Zack Baun said. ‘Winning with a four-man rush is huge.’

Conclusion

The Eagles’ defense dominated the game, holding the Chiefs to just 22 points. Mahomes’ performance was lackluster, and the Chiefs were unable to mount a comeback. The Eagles’ victory was a testament to their strong defense and great game planning.

FAQs

Q: How did the Eagles’ defense perform?

A: The Eagles’ defense had six sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble, holding the Chiefs to just 22 points.

Q: What was the final score?

A: The Eagles won 40-22.

Q: Who was named MVP?

A: Quarterback Jalen Hurts was named MVP after throwing for 221 yards and rushing for 72 yards.