Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) rushes in additional time of the NFL Tremendous Bowl 58 soccer recreation Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Picture/Doug Benc)
KC edges 49ers in OT
By Rob Maddi
The Related Press
LAS VEGAS — Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Andy Reid made the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs a dynasty.
They're already serious about three-peat.
First, they needed to turn into the primary back-to-back Tremendous Bowl champions in 19 years.
Mahomes made certain of that, main one other tremendous comeback on the NFL's largest stage in America's showcase capital.
Mahomes threw a Three-yard landing go to Mecole Hardman in additional time and the Chiefs rallied to beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 on Sunday to turn into the NFL's ninth repeat Tremendous Bowl champion.
With pop star Taylor Swift watching boyfriend Kelce from a collection, the Chiefs received their third title in 5 years, a streak that ranks them among the many league's prime franchises.
“Effectively, you understand the purpose was all the time to get three,” Kelce yelled onstage after sharing a kiss with Swift. “However we couldn't get right here with out getting these two and with out having that concentrate on on our backs all 12 months. … What do you say about this. We’ve an opportunity to do it thrice in a row.”
The NFL's first Tremendous Bowl in Vegas was a sloppy, mistake-filled affair that was principally boring till the fourth quarter and throughout the draw. It was the second of 58 Tremendous Bowls to be tied after regulation, and the primary to be performed below new additional time guidelines that ensured each groups acquired the ball.
The Chiefs (15-6) trailed 22-19 after Jake Moody hit a 27-yard subject purpose on the primary possession of additional time, however Mahomes rallied the Chiefs, finishing one other spectacular comeback in a Tremendous Bowl rematch- 4 years in the past.
Mahomes ran eight yards on fourth-and-1 to maintain the Chiefs' probabilities alive after which scrambled 19 yards for the game-winning rating, which got here at 14:57 in additional time — simply earlier than what would have been the second OT.
“With all of the adversity we've been by means of this season, to come back by means of tonight. … I'm pleased with the fellows,” mentioned Mahomes, who received his third Tremendous Bowl MVP award. “That's nice. Legendary.”
After connecting with a large open Hardman, the Chiefs ran down the sphere as purple and yellow confetti fell on the turf.
Mahomes and Reid at the moment are midway behind Tom Brady and Invoice Belichick, who received six championships in 20 years with the New England Patriots and have been the newest staff to go back-to-back after the 2003-04 seasons.
Mahomes, 28, turns into the fourth beginning QB to win three Tremendous Bowls — becoming a member of Brady, Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw and Troy Aikman — and the second-youngest.
“I'm going to have fun tonight, have fun on the parade after which attempt to get again on this recreation subsequent 12 months,” Mahomes mentioned. “I’ll do every part I can to get again into this recreation subsequent 12 months. Three peat.”
The most important pleasure of the primary half got here when a pissed off Kelce hit Reid on the sideline, pushing the 65-year-old Chiefs coach to inside just a few ft after teammate Isiah Pacheco fumbled within the purple zone throughout of the second quarter.
“Did you guys see that?” Kelce mentioned. “I'll hold it between us, except my 'micd' tells the world. I used to be simply telling him how a lot I really like him.”
Motion resumed after a vital San Francisco particular groups blunder that arrange a 16-yard TD go from Mahomes to Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 13-10 lead.
Brock Purdy and the 49ers (14-6) responded however couldn't make sufficient performs, denying Mr. Irrelevant the chance to go from final decide within the 2022 NFL Draft to Tremendous Bowl champion.
“We’ve the offense to attain touchdowns, and I wasn't in a position to put the staff in place to try this,” Purdy mentioned.
Niners receiver Jauan Jennings threw a TD go and caught one, becoming a member of Eagles quarterback Nick Foles six years in the past as the one gamers to do each within the Tremendous Bowl.
After Moody's 53-yard subject purpose gave the Niners a 19-16 lead with 1:53 left, Mahomes and Kelce went to work. Mahomes related with Kelce for a 22-yard achieve to arrange Harrison Butker's game-tying 29-yarder with Three seconds left.
A holding name by Kansas Metropolis's Trent McDuffie prolonged San Francisco's first additional time drive, and Purdy made key throws to steer the 49ers to the Chiefs 9. However San Francisco settled for a subject purpose.
Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and the Niners went 10-Zero, however that's no large deal for Mahomes and the Chiefs within the Tremendous Bowl. They've trailed by 10 factors in all three wins, together with final 12 months's 38-35 win over Philadelphia.
Mahomes wasn't at his greatest early and threw an interception. However with the sport on the road, he was a magician once more. He completed 34 of 46 for 333 yards and two TDs.
The Chiefs barely dominated throughout the common season and entered the playoffs because the AFC's No. Three seed. They received at Buffalo and Baltimore within the postseason — the primary playoff video games of Mahomes' profession — and entered the Tremendous Bowl with 2¢ factors, in accordance with FanDuel Sportsbook.
“The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are by no means underdogs. You simply know that,” Mahomes mentioned.
They turned the primary staff to win consecutive Tremendous Bowls as underdogs; The Philadelphia Eagles have been slight favorites a 12 months in the past.
The sport turned when San Francisco's Ray-Ray McCloud couldn't clear a punt that hit teammate Darrell Luter Jr.'s leg, and the Chiefs recovered on the 49ers 16, resulting in Mahomes' TD go to Valdes-Scantling .
The Niners answered on the subsequent possession with Purdy throwing a 10-yard TD go to Jennings for a 16-13 lead. Moody's additional level was blocked.
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan punted on fourth-and-Three from the Chiefs 15, lacking an opportunity for a tying subject purpose. Purdy hit George Kittle for a Four-yard achieve after which discovered Jennings for the rating.
Shanahan resorted to trickery for the one landing of the primary half.
Jennings, a receiver who had by no means thrown a go in an NFL recreation, threw a 21-yard TD to McCaffrey. He was hit as he threw a wobbly go down the sphere, however McCaffrey scooped it up and sprinted towards the top zone.
Shanahan fell to Zero-2 as a head coach in Tremendous Bowls and Zero-Three total, together with a loss as Atlanta's offensive coordinator. This was the sport the place Brady and the Patriots rallied from a 28-Three deficit to win in OT.
“Whenever you go in opposition to guys like Tom Brady and Pat Mahomes, you by no means get comfy with a frontrunner. These guys are two of the perfect to ever play the sport,” Shanahan mentioned.
There have been loads of stars within the constructing because the NFL introduced its largest recreation to this as soon as taboo playing mecca. Jay-Z, LeBron James and Paul McCartney have been among the many celebrities within the crowd.
Publish Malone sang “America the Lovely,” Reba McEntire carried out the nationwide anthem, and Usher electrified the gang at halftime. He introduced in a number of company together with Alicia Keys, HER, Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon and Ludacris.
Attendance was introduced at 61,629 at comparatively compact Allegiant Stadium, the smallest crowd in Tremendous Bowl historical past aside from the pandemic recreation in Tampa, Fla., three years in the past.
It didn't begin effectively, however because of Mahomes, these followers acquired to see the most effective Tremendous Bowl finishes.