In Super Bowl LIV, the quick-striking and explosive Kansas City Chiefs faced off against methodical, yet very successful San Francisco 49ers. As the game started to progress, both offenses began struggling due to the polished and consistent defensive gameplans of each side. The Chiefs came out victorious, however they started off the game on a slow start.
After a back-and-forth first half, the Chiefs found themselves trailing 13-10 near the end of the 3rd quarter. Last year’s MVP Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs threw an interception that wound up in the hands of 49ers line-backer Fred Warner close to the 50 yard-line. That play led to an offensive drive and eventually a 1-yard rushing touchdown by 49ers running back Raheem Mostert.
Shortly after, Mahomes threw another interception; this time tipped off the hands of wide receiver Tyreek Hill and into the arms of 49ers safety Tarvarius Moore. With just 12 minutes left to play and a comfortable 20-10 lead for the 49ers, the game looked as if it was coming to a close. It seemed like another year of disappointment for Kansas City as they came so close to their dreams once again.
Andy Reid, the coach of the Chiefs and a fan-favorite, had been a head coach in the NFL for over 20 years and still had no Lombardi trophy to his name. This game seemed to be one of his last chances.
With just over 7 minutes to play at the end of the NFL’s 100th season, Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill made up for his previous drop-caused-interception by retrieving a 44 yard bomb thrown by Mahomes on 3rd&15. The Chiefs were now set up with a first down, and had just 21 yards separating them from a one-possession game. After multiple plays, ending in a 1 yard touchdown pass to tight end Travis Kelce, the Chiefs trailed by 3 points with 6 minutes left.
A quick stop by the Chiefs defense gave Mahomes the ball with an opportunity to take the lead in the 4th quarter of the Super Bowl. Kansas City’s explosive offense found themselves in the end-zone again to take a 24-20 lead with 2:26 to go. One more stop by their defense, and Boom! Another Touchdown! This time a 38 yard lightning-fast carry by the running back Damien Williams who blew by every defender on the play. After scoring 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs led 31-20 with just over a minute of action left until they were crowned world champions. On the 2nd play of the next drive for San Francisco, Chiefs cornerback Kendall Fuller snatched the ball out of the air for the game-sealing interception, putting the dagger in the hearts of all 49er fans.
While down by 10 points with only 7 minutes to play, something ignited Kansas City into a remarkable spark that will forever be remembered. The Chiefs came back from behind in both of their playoff games prior to the Super Bowl, and even outscored Houston 51-7 after facing a 24-0 deficit. It’s safe to say you can never count this team out of a game, especially when it’s playoff time. Kansas City has a great future ahead of them with the young and otherworldly talented quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who seems to be able to throw the ball anywhere on the field, from any place on his body. It was 50 years coming, and the Chiefs young and promising team delivered when they needed to most. Congratulations Kansas City on winning Super Bowl LIV!
Story by Isaiah Haqq