In one of the most tense, entertaining games of the season, the Kansas City Chiefs led a second-half comeback against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII to claim its second franchise SB title in three years. With key performances from both sides and a highly controversial play that effectively sealed the victory for the Chiefs, let’s dive into the key takeaways from this year’s Super Bowl.

Without a doubt, Patrick Mahomes, who became the 13th quarterback to ever win more than one Super Bowl, deserved his Super Bowl MVP. While his high ankle sprain from the Divisional Playoffs noticeably exacerbated in the first half, Mahomes was still able to throw 20-of-26 for 182 yards and three touchdowns. 

Despite shattering their record-setting season with a Super Bowl defeat, Philly still put on quite a performance, especially QB Jalen Hurts. By scoring three rushing TDs and a two-point conversion, Hurts tallied a total of 20 points on Sunday, tying with RB James White for the most points scored by any player in a Super Bowl. In addition to setting the record for QB rushing yards in a Super Bowl game, he also became only one of three QBs in SB history to have at least 300 passing yards and 50 rushing yards.

Although Hurts and the Eagles displayed a near immaculate performance, the margin for error against the mighty Chiefs was only so slim. The Chiefs returned a fumble by Jalen Hurts for a touchdown in the second quarter, and ultimately turned the tide and results of the whole game. Early in the final quarter, the Eagles special teams allowed a 65-yard punt return by Chiefs’ Kadarius Toney, who recorded the longest punt return in Super Bowl history. Three plays later, Mahomes found Skyy Moore in the endzone to extend their lead to 35-27. Both instances were costly miscues by the Eagles that effectively lost them a SB ring.

Perhaps the final drive led by KC in the fourth quarter was the true spectacle. After Mahomes opened the drive with a 25-yard scramble, putting the Chiefs well within field goal range, they only needed to convert on downs once more and chew the clock before kicking a game-winning field goal. However, on third down, Mahomes did not complete his pass to WR Juju Smith-Schuster. Just when it seemed like the Chiefs were three-and-out, Eagles CB James Bradberry was penalized for a holding call on Juju. 

Ultimately, this penalty turned the tables completely to the Chiefs, who kicked a field goal to win the game. However, fans were skeptical that Bradberry did not in fact hold onto Smith-Schuster and that the holding call was “scripted”. And even though Bradberry later admitted that he did hold onto Juju and had simply hoped the referees would let the game go on, that penalty will forever be a point of contention.