LAS VEGAS – The NFL’s best player did it again. Patrick Mahomes led a masterful drive that culminated in a touchdown with just 3 seconds remaining in overtimeto give the Kansas City Chiefs the two-time NFL championship with a 25-22 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in a great Super Bowl LVIII.
The Chiefs came back from four down in the fast-paced game at Allegiant Stadium. That is possible when you have a quarterback like Mahomes, who has quickly gained followers as possibly the best in history although his career is still relatively young.
San Francisco had scored a field goal on the first series of overtime. If Mahomes had not completed the winning pass with receiver Mecole Hardman from the 3-yard line, the game would surely have extended to a second overtime.
The Chiefs reach three Super Bowl titles in a span of five seasons to become the dynasty of the decade. They had defeated San Francisco in Super Bowl LIV, when, like Sunday, they overcame a 10-point deficit.
San Francisco won the toss for overtime and elected to receive the ball. The 49ers drove 66 yards in 13 plays for 7:38 minutes – one of their typical long, consuming drives – and took the lead with Jake Moody’s 27-yard field goal (22-19).
By rule, both teams can have the ball in overtime in postseason games.
Then Mahomes’ magic appeared once again. A 19-yard run was the big play to set the table and then complete a 3-yard pass on 1st. opportunity with Mecole Hardman to win the match 25-22.
The series that becomes the most outstanding of Mahomes’ career was 13 plays, 75 yards and 7:19 minutes. Mahomes was again named MVP of the game after completing 34 of 46 passes for 333 yards, 2 touchdown passes and 1 interception. He added 66 yards on 9 carries.
Travis Kelce, supported in the stadium by his girlfriend Taylor Swift, caught 9 passes for 93 yards, with some very important plays in the second half.
For San Francisco it was a defeat that breaks their heart and lengthens their championship drought. They haven’t lifted the Vince Lombardi Trophy since Super Bowl XXIX. Quarterback Brock Purdy played well (23-38, 255, 1 TD), but it wasn’t enough for them.
Mahomes came into the game with all the weight on him, something he has managed to handle in his impressive career. This time he did it while also facing the delicate criminal situation of his father, something that the best quarterback of this era did not want to discuss with the media this week.
Mahomes was held without a touchdown in the first half
After the interpretation of United States national anthem by Reba McEntire, which lasted only 95 seconds – the shortest in 12 years -the first Super Bowl in Las Vegas history began.
A Christian McCaffrey fumble – a rarity – that was caused by Leo Chenal and recovered by George Karlaftis stopped the 49ers’ first drive as they approached the red zone.
But the 49ers defense started hot, dominating the line of scrimmage and holding Patrick Mahomes to just one first down in the first quarter.
The first points of the game came at the beginning of the second period by Jake Moody’s 55-yard field goal to put San Francisco up 3-0.
Immediately, Mahomes connected with Mecole Hardman on a 53-yard bomb, but then came the second fumble of the afternoon when running back Isiah Pacheco lost the ball due to a slap from safety Deommodore Lenoir and Javon Hargrave recovered at his 8-yard line.
The appearance on the giant screens of Taylor Swift, who had arrived on time after her concert in Japan, caused loud booing from the majority of the audience in the stadium.
The first touchdown of the Super Bowl came with 4:23 left in the first half and was on a trick play sent by coach Kyle Shanahan. Quarterback Purdy sent a backward pass to receiver Jauan Jennings and he then threw to the opposite side of the field to complete with McCaffrey, who with a block ahead went 21 yards to make the score 10-0.
The Chiefs finally broke the deadlock with 20 seconds left before halftime with a short field goal by Harrison Butker after Mahomes was sacked at 3rd. opportunity by Arik Armstead inside the red zone.
Second half of tumbling in Las Vegas
The second half started with more adversity for the Chiefs when Mahomes forced a long pass at 3rd. opportunity looking for Travis Kelce, but safety Ji’Ayir Brown intercepted.
However, on Kansas City’s next possession, Mahomes had a 21-yard run to bring his team closer. The series did not prosper when a complete pass was not enough to move the chains as a fan invaded the field at full speed before being arrested.
Anyway, the Chiefs added three points on a 57-yard field goal from the reliable Butker to make the score 10-6 with 5:01 left in the third quarter.
And then came a crucial mistake by the 49ers. On a Chiefs punt, returner Ray-Ray McCloud fumbled the ball at his 16-yard line. Kansas City recovered Jaylen Watson. One play later, Mahomes found Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a touchdown pass that turned the scoreboard (13-10).
The 49ers, subdued throughout the third quarter on offense, needed to respond and proceeded to mount a 12-play, 75-yard, 6:06-minute drive that was crowned with 10-yard pass from Purdy to Jennings. Although the extra point attempt was blocked, San Francisco regained the lead subtracting 11:22 minutes (16-13). The series included a 4th conversion. opportunity on Purdy pass to George Kittle.
Kansas City tied it at 16 on another Butker field goal after the NFC champions’ defense broke down near the goal line. The Chiefs had their first chance at the 4. With 5:46 minutes remaining in Las Vegas, the game was tied.
A 23-yard reception by Jauan Jennings, who earlier had a touchdown pass and a touchdown catch, gave impetus to the 49ers’ final drive, which began at their 25-yard line. Rookie kicker Jake Moody responded with a 53-yard field goal with 1:53 left to make the score 19-16..
It was the turn of Mahomes, the master of postseason cartwheels, with the opportunity to win the game on the last series of the game. Running at high speed, he drew the team closer to him. In 3rd. opportunity he found Travis Kelce crossing the field and gained 22 yards to get to the 11 with 9 seconds left. Mahomes looked for the win with a pass to Kelce, but the perfect coverage of star linebacker Fred Warner forced the Chiefs to go for the tie with 6 seconds left. and Butker made it 19-19 with a 29-yard kick.
And so, in the entertainment capital of the world, the Super Bowl went into overtime.
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