Once again, Patrick Mahomes has worked his Super Bowl magic.
Mahomes, who had a high ankle sprain in his right leg on January 21 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, looked to injure the same ankle at the end of the first half. Just over a minute and a half remained in the half when linebacker TJ Edwards hit Mahomes around the ankles as he was scrambling for a first down on third down and 15. After taking the hit, Mahomes remained on the ground for what Chiefs supporters saw as an uncomfortable length of time.
Even with a sprained ankle, the two-time NFL MVP leads a comeback in the second half that helps the Chiefs win their second title in four years. Mahomes earns his second Super Bowl MVP award.
Mahomes completed three of his four touchdown passes to three different receivers, Isiah Pacheco ran for one, and linebacker Nick Bolton scored on a fumble recovery in the first Super Bowl to feature two Black starting quarterbacks. With just eight seconds remaining, Harrison Butker, the team’s kicker, kicked a field goal from 27 yards out.
Said they played from the heart. Tight end Travis Kelce, who played against his brother, said they just played with their hearts. They knew they didn’t perform at their best in the first half. Kansas City scored on every possession after halftime.
Mahomes threw his second touchdown to Kadarius Toney less than three minutes into the fourth quarter, giving the Chiefs a 28-27 lead for the first time in the game.
Following this, Toney returned a punt 65 yards, which was the most extended punt return in Super Bowl history, setting up Mahomes’ touchdown pass to Skyy Moore, which put the Chiefs up 35-27.
Hurts rushed in his third touchdown with 5:15 remaining, and the two-point conversion made it 35-all. But the decisive drive that ended with Butker’s field goal was led by Mahomes.
Some players, he claimed, acted out of character in the first half due to the gravity of the situation, but they were able to regroup at halftime and work it out.
“In that second half, we were just flying around.”
After a rough first half, the youngest quarterback to ever start three Super Bowls led the Chiefs to a score on their second half’s opening drive, boosting morale for the team. His 14-yard run was a vital play in the drive.
Mahomes had another crucial sprint for 26 yards on the game-winning drive, putting the champions in field-goal position. TV replays showed Mahomes grimacing as he climbed to his feet and headed back to the huddle.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said, “Well, he’s the MVP.” There was nothing further to be stated.
After his outstanding performance on Sunday, Mahomes will add the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award to his collection of trophies.
It was exquisite redemption for Andy Reid, who had never won a Super Bowl in his 14 years as the Eagles’ head coach.