Super Bowl LIX was not quite the back-and-forth showdown that most predicted when the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, February 9th. The 14-3 Eagles beat the 15-2 Chiefs by a whopping 40-22, shutting down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense time and time again, while Jalen Hurts threw for two touchdowns and ran, or rather, was pushed in, by the “tush push’ for the first touchdown of the game.

Mahomes and the Chiefs struggled from the get-go, with Mahomes throwing a pick-six to Eagles rookie Cornerback Cooper DeJean, and another interception to Former Wisconsin Badger Zack Baun, a Linebacker. He was sacked six times for a combined loss of 31 yards, with one fumble lost. Somehow, Mahomes managed to at least stat-pad by the end of the game, going 21 for 32 in the air, throwing three touchdowns, and 257 yards, more than Jalen Hurts.

The outcome was so clear that backup Eagles quarterback and former Pittsburgh Steeler Kenny Pickett played the final snaps/kneel-downs of the game. Eagles RB Saquon Barkley didn’t have an incredible performance, but was able to get the chunk yardage plays Nick Sirianni’s offense needed to drive down the field. Chiefs TE Travis Kelce was very quiet, putting up just 39 yards all game. 

The championship took place at the Caesars Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints. The pre-game sequence featured several tributes to the victims of the New Orleans terrorist attack that took place on New Year’s Day, killing fourteen victims. 

Grammy winner and rapper Kendrick Lamar, whose feud with Drake dominated headlines for weeks, was the main halftime show performer, eventually playing “Not Like Us” and “TV Off”, with appearances from SZA, Serena Williams, and actor Samuel L. Jackson, who played “Uncle Sam”. The performance and its set featured various subtle touches that connected to the Black American experience being akin to playing “the Great American Game”