Super Bowl LIX: Eagles Dominate Chiefs to Prevent a Threepeat

• The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 to win Super Bowl LIX
• Philly led from the start, jumping out to a 34-0 lead
• The Eagles’ defense smothered Patrick Mahomes
• Now come the questions about the Chiefs’ future

The Philadelphia Eagles seemed to take it personally that they were viewed as Super Bowl LIX’s supporting cast in the Kansas City Chiefs’ attempt to make history with a threepeat. They took their frustrations out on the Chiefs, building a 34-0 lead on their way to a 40-22 win that wasn’t even that close.

Super Bowl LIX was the least competitive game since Super Bowl LV when the Chiefs lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tom Brady. It was somewhat anticlimactic considering the hype leading up to it. There is a reason so few teams have even won two straight Super Bowls, let alone had a realistic shot at a threepeat. It’s difficult to do.

From the start, KC looked out of sorts. The teams traded punts before Philly broke through on a Jalen Hurts 1-yard TD run. Philly extended its lead on a Jake Elliott field goal. Then things really started coming apart for KC when Mahomes threw a pick-6 to Cooper DeJean.

Hurts threw a 12-yard TD pass to A.J. Brown near the end of the first half to increase the lead to 24-0.

Philly’s Defense Was the Real MVP

Although Hurts was named the Super Bowl LIX MVP, it was Philly’s defense that led the way.

In addition to the DeJean pick, one of the best free agent pickups in NFL history, linebacker Zack Baun, also intercepted Mahomes. Mahomes’ numbers look respectable enough on the surface. He completed 21 of 32 passes for 257 yards and 3 TDs. But those 2 picks were killers and he was on the run for most of the first three quarters and the game was all but over by then.

Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio deserves a ton of credit for his scheme. Although Philly did not blitz at all, they sacked Mahomes 6 times. It appeared as if the Eagles entered the game knowing that KC could not run the ball. Kareem Hunt ran for 9 yards on 3 carries; Isiah Pacheco accrued 7 yards on 3 carries; Samaje Perine had a late-game run for 8 yards; and Mahomes ran for 25 yards on 4 carries — mostly in desperation.

Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula in Week 2. He returned for Week 13, but his production was a minuscule fraction of what it was pre-injury begging the question as to whether he’s healthy and why he was playing. Hunt cannot be counted on as a featured back anymore. A defense as aggressive as Philly’s with its excellent secondary could focus on stopping Mahomes as it needn’t worry about the rushing attack. KC’s shaky offensive line certainly didn’t help.

The Importance of Coaching

The Chiefs’ Andy Reid and his staff were outcoached by Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, departing offensive coordinator Kellen Moore (rumored to be the new HC of the Saints), and Fangio.

Fangio’s game plan exemplified why it was important for the Eagles to hire him to assist head coach Nick Sirianni. Sirianni’s job was in jeopardy a year ago after the team collapsed late in the season and his immaturity was deemed as a catalyst to their downfall. Instead of terminating him, owner Jeff Lurie and GM Howie Roseman retained him, hired Fangio, bolstered the defense, and signed Saquon Barkley.

Now the Questions About the Chiefs

Any championship-caliber team will suffer attrition through retirement, injuries, and player departures whether they leave of their own accord or are pushed out. The Eagles are young. Their key players are signed. Their coaching staff will remain largely intact apart from Moore’s departure.

The Chiefs are another matter. Mahomes is only 29. But Travis Kelce will be 36 shortly after the 2025 season begins and has myriad off-field interests. He’s non-committal about returning. DeAndre Hopkins is 32 and Chris Jones is 30. They need to replenish, particularly with the Ravens and Bills as hungry as they are, Denver on the rise, the LA Chargers heading into their second year under Jim Harbaugh, and Pittsburgh and Cincinnati always a threat.

Everyone is gunning for them even with this loss.

The opening odds for Super Bowl LX have the Eagles at +550, the Chiefs at +600, the Ravens at +650, the Bills at +700, and the Lions at +1000.

In the immediate aftermath of this beating, the Eagles are a far more solid bet than the Chiefs, reeling and possibly nearing the end of this run.