by Logan Tyler
Whether you were rooting for the Eagles, the Chiefs, or Rihanna last Sunday, the Super Bowl proved to be an exciting and unpredictable game; some sports fanatics even claimed it was the best game in Super Bowl history. The Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs both stood as the number one seed from their respective conferences coming into the game.
In terms of statistics, the two NFL teams could not have been more evenly matched. Coming into the game on Sunday, both teams had a 16-3 record, amassed 546 points over the course of the season, and they each rostered a Kelce brother. In the regular season, the Eagles recorded 70 sacks as a team, the third-most in a season in NFL history. On the flip side, the Chiefs proved their offensive prowess during the regular season, led by quarterback and MVP Patrick Mahomes.
The Eagles were the first to find the endzone on a one-yard Jalen Hurts rushing touchdown, putting the score at 7-0 early in the game. The Chiefs were quick to answer, with a Mahomes-Kelce connection, tying the game, 7-7. The Chiefs had an opportunity to gain the lead with a 42-yard field goal, but kicker Harrison Butker felt the game-time pressure and hit the left upright, ending the first quarter still tied.
Seconds into the second quarter the Eagles took the reins, scoring a touchdown off Hurts’ 45-yard throw to A.J. Brown. Later in the quarter, Hurts made a rare mistake which proved to be detrimental, fumbling the ball which was picked up by the Chiefs and recovered for a 36-yard touchdown, tying the game again, 14-14. The end zone did not stay cold for long as the Eagles plowed through for a 75-yard touchdown drive. Tack on their 40-yard field goal and the game stood Eagles 24, Chiefs 14 at the half.
This would not be a Super Bowl recap without mentioning the halftime entertainment. Rihanna stunned the crowd, fitted in a bright red ensemble and surrounded by dozens of dancers dressed in all-white. She sang almost – Pon de Replay, anyone? – all of her greatest hits while simultaneously floating through the stadium on a giant stage. Even more impressive, Rihanna debuted her baby bump, revealing that she is expecting her second child.
After halftime, the Eagles could not gain back the momentum they had in the first half. The Chiefs quickly capitalized, scoring a touchdown and making it a three-point game. A successful Eagles field goal only gave them the advantage for a short time as the Chiefs connected on a jet sweep motion to score a touchdown and take the lead. After a few more touchdowns on both sides, including a successful two-point conversion by the Eagles to tie it up, a controversial holding penalty on the Eagles and a successful Chiefs field goal, the win was cemented for the Chiefs – Super Bowl 57 ending, 38-35.
