In the buildup to Super Bowl LIX, most conversations went as follows: the Eagles have far and away the better roster top to bottom, but the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes. They’ll win.
Well, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you might’ve noticed that didn’t happen. Sometimes, it turns out that the best teams do win, and that’s exactly what Philadelphia did in New Orleans.
You might hear on TV or in seldom conversation that football is won and lost in the trenches, or the offensive and defensive lines. The Chiefs had a good D-line. The Eagles had a great D-line. The Chiefs’ O-line was in flux. The Eagles’ O-line was one of the top units in the history of the sport. That was the difference.
The Eagles’ 40-22 win wasn’t even as close as the score indicated. Philadelphia was on top 40-6 with about four minutes remaining. It was a shocking result to many, including myself, as the Chiefs seemed like they would win these sorts of games with absolute certainty. If the game was close, the Chiefs would win – that was the conversation. That was what I said leading up to the game. Well, the game wasn’t close. All you can really do is tip your cap to Philadelphia and General Manager Howie Roseman, who has truly built a juggernaut.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts was sensational. He didn’t have to be. Saquon Barkley was bottled up in likely his worst rushing performance of the season. They didn’t need his usual production Sunday. The Eagles’ defense and Vic Fangio deserve all the praise. It was one of the best performances by a defense in Super Bowl history. The 2024-25 Eagles won’t be remembered as great defenses like the 1970s Steelers, the 1985 Bears or the 2000 Ravens, but their performance was as good as it gets. Mahomes might be the most talented quarterback in history, and he’s already accomplished plenty. The Eagles’ defense made him look mediocre at best, awful at worst.
And no, this won’t end the Chiefs’ dynasty. This won’t end the Mahomes GOAT conversations – it’ll just push that narrative back a half-decade. Brady also got harassed by opposing D-lines in Super Bowls – namely against the Giants.
The Eagles’ window remains wide-open, as does the Chiefs. They’ll both be back next year. But for now, there just isn’t much to talk about regarding the on-field product. The Eagles opened up a can of you-know-what.
As for the off-field stuff, I have to commend how the NFL handled this Super Bowl. Everything about the pregame show was authentically New Orleans, and it was a treat to see. Of course Harry Connick Jr. was there, but one of New Orleans’ favorite sons was outshined by Southern’s Human Jukebox band, which tore the house down. Ledisi delivered a wonderful rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and Lady Gaga’s Bourbon Street tribute to the victims of the Jan. 1 terrorist attack was wonderful. I wish more Super Bowls showcased the host city more, for New Orleans did it almost perfectly.
As for the halftime show, who cares? If you liked it, I’m happy for you. If you didn’t like it, it’s just not for you. I don’t listen to Kendrick Lamar, but I can appreciate his talent and cultural influence. That’s what it’s all about. I had a good time watching with my loved ones, but my advice for next year would probably be to use the halftime show as a bathroom or smoke break next year.
