It felt like the entire world was leaning toward Philadelphia. Honestly, if you looked at the rosters on paper heading into February 12, 2023, the Philadelphia Eagles looked like an absolute freight train. They had the pass rush, the offensive line, and a young quarterback in Jalen Hurts who was playing like he had been in the league for a decade. But when people ask who did the Chiefs play in Super Bowl 2023, they aren’t just looking for a team name; they’re looking for the story of how Kansas City somehow survived a game they probably should have lost.
Super Bowl LVII was more than a game. It was a collision of the two best teams in the NFL, both entering with 14-3 records. It was the first time two brothers, Travis and Jason Kelce, faced off on the biggest stage. People called it the "Kelce Bowl," but for the guys on the grass at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, it was a 60-minute war that ended in a 38-35 victory for Kansas City.
The Rivalry: Chiefs vs. Eagles in the Desert
So, the short answer is the Philadelphia Eagles. But the long answer is that the Chiefs played against a Philly team that looked nearly invincible for the first thirty minutes.
Jalen Hurts was spectacular. He didn’t just play well; he set a Super Bowl record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 70 and tied the record for most points scored by a single player (20). If the Eagles had won, he was the easiest MVP choice in history. But he wasn’t playing against just anyone. He was playing against Patrick Mahomes, who was effectively playing on one leg after re-aggravating a high ankle sprain late in the second quarter.
Why the Eagles Dominated Early
Philly came out swinging. They opened the game with an 11-play drive that ended in a Hurts touchdown. Kansas City answered back quickly with a Mahomes-to-Kelce special, but then things started to tilt.
The Eagles' defense, which had 70 sacks during the regular season, was suffocating. By halftime, the Chiefs were down 24-14. Mahomes was limping. The vibes in Kansas City were, frankly, terrible. It looked like the Eagles' "Tush Push" and their relentless pass rush would eventually break the Chiefs' spirit.
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The Turning Point Nobody Expected
Most people remember the ending, but the real shift happened because of a guy named Nick Bolton.
Midway through the second quarter, Jalen Hurts made his only real mistake of the night. He dropped the ball while trying to switch hands on a scramble. Bolton, the Chiefs' linebacker, scooped it up and ran 36 yards for a touchdown. Without that defensive score, the Chiefs might have been down by 17 or 21 points at the half. It was the life raft they needed to keep floating until Mahomes could find his rhythm in the third quarter.
The Second Half Surge
Coming out of the Rihanna halftime show, the Chiefs looked like a completely different team. Andy Reid, who used to coach the Eagles (adding another layer of drama), started dialing up these wild misdirection plays.
- The Isiah Pacheco Punch: The rookie running back started gashing the Eagles' front.
- The "Corn Dog" Plays: This is actually what they called them. Twice, the Chiefs used a motion-man who looked like he was crossing the formation, only to stop and break back toward the sideline. Both Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore were left wide open for walk-in touchdowns because the Eagles' secondary bit so hard on the motion.
- Toney’s Punt Return: Kadarius Toney, who the Chiefs basically got for a late-round pick from the Giants, uncorked a 65-yard punt return. It was the longest in Super Bowl history.
The Holding Call Heard 'Round the World
We have to talk about the ending. It’s impossible to discuss who the Chiefs played in Super Bowl 2023 without mentioning the controversial flag on James Bradberry.
With less than two minutes left and the game tied 35-35, Mahomes threw an incomplete pass toward JuJu Smith-Schuster. It looked like the Eagles would get the ball back with enough time for Hurts to lead a game-winning drive. Then, a yellow flag hit the turf.
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Defensive holding.
Eagles fans were livid. Critics called it a "weak" call for such a high-stakes moment. However, in a rare move of professional honesty, Bradberry admitted after the game that he did, in fact, tug the jersey. That penalty allowed the Chiefs to bleed the clock down to eight seconds. Harrison Butker stepped up and nailed a 27-yard field goal, and that was effectively it.
The Statistical Breakdown (How Close It Actually Was)
When you look at the box score, it’s wild how even this game was.
- Total Yards: Eagles 417, Chiefs 340.
- Time of Possession: The Eagles held the ball for nearly 36 minutes, while the Chiefs had it for only about 24.
- Sacks: Despite having the best pass rush in the league, the Eagles recorded zero sacks on Mahomes. Not one.
Philly fans will tell you the sod at State Farm Stadium was the problem. Players were slipping all over the place, which arguably neutralized the Eagles' speed advantage on the edges. Whether it was the grass or the brilliance of the Chiefs' offensive line, Mahomes stayed upright when it mattered most.
Why This Game Defined the Mahomes Era
Winning this game cemented Patrick Mahomes as the heir apparent to Tom Brady's throne. He finished 21-of-27 for 182 yards and three touchdowns, earning the MVP trophy. But it wasn't the stats that mattered—it was the 26-yard scramble he had on that final drive.
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On a bad ankle, with the season on the line, he put his head down and ran.
That’s the guy the Eagles were playing against. You can have the better roster, the better stats, and the lead at halftime, but if you leave Mahomes a sliver of an opening, he’s going to take it. The 2023 Super Bowl wasn't just a win; it was a statement that the AFC still ran through Kansas City.
Actionable Insights for Football Fans
If you're looking back at this game to understand current NFL trends, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, the "Tush Push" or "Brotherly Shove" became a national obsession largely because of how effectively the Eagles used it in this game. Second, the importance of "specialists"—players like Kadarius Toney who might not be stars but can change a game with one play—cannot be overstated.
Finally, if you are analyzing a matchup between a high-powered offense and a dominant defense, remember Super Bowl LVII. The Eagles' defense was historic, but a creative play-caller like Andy Reid can use a defense's aggressiveness against them.
For those looking to re-watch the game or dive into the tape, pay attention to the Chiefs' offensive line in the second half. They shifted their blocking schemes to account for the slippery field, choosing to catch the defenders rather than drive them, which is a masterclass in mid-game adjustments. Keep an eye on the motion plays in the red zone; that "Corn Dog" concept is now a staple in almost every NFL playbook.