If you were looking for a blowout or a snooze-fest, you definitely tuned into the wrong game. Honestly, the buzz surrounding whos playing the Super Bowl 2024 felt like it reached a fever pitch months before the teams even stepped onto the grass at Allegiant Stadium. We weren't just looking at a football game; it was a cultural collision involving pop royalty, a desert debut, and two of the most storied franchises in NFL history.
It was the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the San Francisco 49ers.
This wasn't just a random pairing, though. It was a heavyweight rematch from four years ago, and the stakes felt infinitely higher this time. You had the Chiefs trying to cement a legitimate dynasty and the 49ers looking to finally get over the hump with a quarterback who was quite literally the last pick of his draft class.
The Quarterback Contrast: Mahomes vs. Purdy
When people asked about whos playing the Super Bowl 2024, they were usually talking about the guys under center. On one side, you had Patrick Mahomes. At this point, the guy is basically a human cheat code. He came into the game looking for his third ring at just 28 years old.
On the flip side, you had Brock Purdy.
The "Mr. Irrelevant" narrative is almost tired now, but in February 2024, it was the only thing anyone could talk about. Could a kid who was picked 262nd overall actually out-duel the best player on the planet?
💡 You might also like: Por qué los partidos de Primera B de Chile son más entretenidos que la división de honor
The stats from that night tell a story of grit over flash:
- Patrick Mahomes: 333 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 66 rushing yards.
- Brock Purdy: 255 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and a 89.3 passer rating.
Purdy didn't play poorly. Not at all. In fact, he looked like he belonged on that stage. But Mahomes does this thing where he just decides he isn't going to lose, especially when the game goes into deep water.
That Wild Overtime Finish
The game was a defensive slog for a long time. It was messy. There were fumbles. Both teams looked tight. But then, things got weirdly historic. This was only the second time in history a Super Bowl went to overtime.
The 49ers won the toss and took the ball first—a decision that sparked a million "what-if" conversations in bars for weeks afterward. They marched down and settled for a field goal. In the old days, that might have been enough. But under the new rules, the Chiefs were guaranteed a possession.
Mahomes basically took the game by the scruff of the neck. He ran for key first downs, scrambled when everything broke down, and eventually found Mecole Hardman for a 3-yard touchdown.
📖 Related: South Carolina women's basketball schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
Game over. 25-22.
The Chiefs became the first back-to-back champions since the Patriots did it twenty years prior. It was a "where were you" moment for anyone who cares about the sport.
The Taylor Swift Factor (And Travis Kelce)
We can't talk about whos playing the Super Bowl 2024 without mentioning the suite. The NFL has always been big, but the Taylor Swift effect turned the volume up to eleven. Her relationship with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce brought a whole new demographic to the screen.
Some "traditional" fans were annoyed by the camera cuts, but the numbers don't lie. Over 123 million people watched. It was the most-watched US broadcast since the moon landing.
Kelce had a slow start in the game—even having a bit of a sideline meltdown with coach Andy Reid—but he finished with 9 catches for 93 yards. When the game was on the line, he was exactly where Mahomes needed him to be. After the trophy ceremony, the image of him and Swift celebrating on the field basically broke the internet.
👉 See also: Scores of the NBA games tonight: Why the London Game changed everything
Key Names You Might Have Forgotten
While the stars grabbed the headlines, a few other guys basically saved the game for Kansas City.
- Harrison Butker: He kicked a 57-yard field goal, setting a new Super Bowl record.
- Chris Jones: His pressure on Brock Purdy in overtime forced a throwaway that held the 49ers to that field goal.
- Christian McCaffrey: He was a monster for the 49ers, racking up 160 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. If the Niners had won, he was the easy MVP choice.
- Nick Bolton: The Chiefs linebacker was everywhere, recording 13 tackles.
The Halftime Show: Usher’s Vegas Moment
Outside of the pads and helmets, Usher took over the desert. It felt like a 2000s fever dream in the best way possible. He brought out Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and Lil Jon. He even performed part of the set on roller skates.
It was a reminder that the Super Bowl isn't just a game anymore; it's a massive, multi-billion dollar entertainment product that happens to have a football game in the middle of it.
Why It Still Matters Today
Looking back on whos playing the Super Bowl 2024 gives us a clear picture of the current NFL hierarchy. The 49ers had the "better" roster on paper. They had more All-Pros. They had the lead for a good chunk of the game.
But the Chiefs have the "Mahomes tax."
If you want to understand why the NFL looks the way it does now—with every team trying to find their own version of a mobile, creative playmaker—you just have to look at the tape from February 11, 2024. It was the night the Chiefs officially stopped being just a "good team" and became the villains of the league.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Rewatch the Overtime: If you want to see a masterclass in "clutch" play, watch the final Chiefs drive. Every decision Mahomes makes is calculated.
- Study the Defensive Schemes: Steve Spagnuolo (Chiefs Defensive Coordinator) essentially wrote the blueprint on how to handle the 49ers' complex offense.
- Check the Records: Between Butker's kick and the viewership numbers, this game rewrote the history books in more ways than one.
To get the full picture of the game's impact, you should check out the official NFL mic'd up segments from that night. Hearing the communication between the players during that final overtime drive gives you a much better appreciation for the speed and mental pressure of the game.