Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers was one for the ages. It took overtime for this one to be settled, but Patrick Mahomes and Co. got the job done as they would win 25-22.
We had Post Malone sing “America The Beautiful” and Reba McEntire sing the National Anthem. Then, the game began and it was a bit of a doozy to start.
First Half
The 49ers got the ball to start the game, but five plays in, disaster struck. Running back Christian McCaffrey fumbled the ball and gave the Chiefs possession.
FUMBLE CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY 😳 pic.twitter.com/2lAZqw1IvU
— Sangre NFL💉🏈 (@SangreNFL) February 11, 2024
However, the Chiefs could not capitalize and ended up punting the ball. No team scored until the 14:48 mark in the second quarter when 49ers kicker Jake Moody hit a 55-yard field goal. It set a Super Bowl record (more on that later).
San Francisco scored a touchdown two drives later, on a trick play that ended with McCaffrey in the end zone.
Jauan Jennings with the PASSING touchdown to Christian McCaffrey 👀
— SportsBettingDime (@SBD) February 12, 2024
McCaffrey was +425 to be the first touchdown scorer 💰 pic.twitter.com/pY4cozVHIo
As for Kansas City, their only points of the half came on a 13-play drive that ended in a Harrison Butker 28-yard field goal. The score was 10-3 at halftime.
Then, Things Turned Around For Kansas City
Well, sort of. Patrick Mahomes was intercepted on the team’s opening drive of the half. They would punt on their next drive too. But, their third drive of the half ended in a Butker 57-yard field goal. That would be the new Super Bowl record.
Harrison Butker sets a new Super Bowl record with a 57-yard FG, previously set by Jake Moody earlier this game. 🙌
— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024
📺: #SBLVIII on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/dClcEDViWl pic.twitter.com/lRnIDUEOS5
Things started to turn around, as a Kansas City punt later ended up touching a San Francisco return team member and gave the Chiefs great field position.
49ERS MUFFED PUNT 😱
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 12, 2024
CHIEFS BALL.
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/tBQXiKN8Az
Mahomes would find wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 16-yard touchdown that would give the Chiefs a 13-10 lead.
San Francisco would capitalize with a Brock Purdy touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings, but the extra point was blocked and the score would be 16-13. Kansas City would kick a field goal on their next drive to tie the game. Each team exchanged field goals on their next drive to make it 19-19, which would be the score at the end of regulation.
Overtime
The 49ers won the coin toss and wanted to get the ball first. However, a 13-play drive ended with just a field goal by Moody.
It was the Chiefs’ turn now. Patrick Mahomes led his team down the field, 75 yards to be exact. How would that drive end? It’s anyone’s guess.
MAHOMES TO MECOLE HARDMAN FOR THE LOMBARDI 😱🤯
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 12, 2024
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/lPVwGBasQj
Game. Set. Match. The Chiefs are back-to-back champions, the league’s first since the New England Patriots did it in 2003 and 2004.
Other Things You Need To Know
- Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes struggled in the first half but finished the game with 333 yards passing and two touchdowns. He also led the team in rushing, with nine carries for 66 yards.
- Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce finished the first half with one catch for one yard. He woke up a different man in the second half, catching eight balls for 92 yards and led the team in receiving overall.
- As for San Francisco, quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 255 yards and a touchdown of his own. For a man many doubted to even be here, the 49ers have nothing to be ashamed about. They have their man.
- Christian McCaffrey was the offense, rushing for 80 yards while also catching eight balls for 80 yards and a touchdown.
- Both kickers finished with a combined seven field goals. Butker’s four field goals tied an NFL record in a Super Bowl.
Both teams will compete to be back in this spot next year. It was a great season, and I’m sure we all cannot wait for free agency and the NFL Draft. Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs!
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Featured Image: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
