It is a weird feeling when a game is so good it actually hurts. If you are a Philly fan, or honestly just a fan of "no-nonsense" football, the history of when the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs met on the world’s biggest stage is a bit of a rollercoaster. It isn't just one date. It’s a burgeoning rivalry that has now seen two massive clashes in a very short window.
Most people immediately think of the desert heat and the "Sodfather" drama. Others, specifically from the 2024-2025 season, think of the redemption arc that unfolded under the lights in New Orleans.
So, let's get the dates straight first.
The First Meeting: Super Bowl LVII in Glendale
The first time these two heavyweights officially squared off in a Super Bowl was February 12, 2023. This was Super Bowl 57. It was played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Man, that game was a track meet.
Basically, you had the two best teams in the league—both 14-3 in the regular season—trading blows like heavyweights. Jalen Hurts was absolutely surgical, putting up three rushing touchdowns and throwing for over 300 yards. On the other side, a hobbled Patrick Mahomes was doing Patrick Mahomes things, even on one good ankle.
The Chiefs ended up winning that one 38-35. But it wasn't without some major "what if" moments.
The Slip and Slide in the Desert
One thing nobody talks about enough is the grass. Or maybe they talk about it too much. Either way, the turf was a mess. Players were sliding all over the place like they were on an ice rink. George Toma, the legendary groundskeeper known as the "Sodfather," was 94 years old and working his final game.
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He later blamed the NFL for over-watering the grass and then rolling it into the stadium where the halftime show rehearsals (shoutout to Rihanna) trapped all that moisture. It basically turned the field into a swamp.
"The Hold" That Ended It
Then there was the penalty. You know the one.
With less than two minutes left and the game tied at 35, the Chiefs were facing a 3rd-and-8. Mahomes threw an incomplete pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster. It looked like the Eagles were going to get the ball back with plenty of time for Hurts to work some magic.
Instead? A flag.
James Bradberry was called for defensive holding. To his credit, Bradberry admitted after the game that he did tug the jersey, but most fans felt like it was "soft" for that moment in the game. It allowed the Chiefs to bleed the clock and kick a game-winning field goal. Brutal.
The Rematch: Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans
If you’re asking "when did eagles play chiefs in super bowl" because you remember a different result, you’re probably thinking of the most recent one. The rematch happened on February 9, 2025.
This was Super Bowl 59.
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The venue shifted to the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. If Arizona was about the Chiefs finding a way to survive, New Orleans was about the Eagles' defensive front absolutely feasting.
The Eagles won this one 40-22.
Why the Result Flipped
Honestly, it came down to the trenches. Howie Roseman (the Eagles GM) spent two years obsessing over the defensive line after they failed to sack Mahomes once in the 2023 game. In the 2025 rematch, they got to him six times.
It was a blowout by the middle of the third quarter. Jalen Hurts took home the MVP, and a rookie named Cooper DeJean actually had a pick-six on his 22nd birthday. Talk about a legendary way to celebrate.
Breaking Down the Stats: By the Numbers
When you look at these two games, the offensive production is staggering. These aren't those old-school 13-3 defensive struggles.
Super Bowl 57 (2023):
- Final Score: Chiefs 38, Eagles 35
- Total Points: 73 (3rd highest in history)
- Jalen Hurts: 304 passing yards, 70 rushing yards, 4 total TDs
- Patrick Mahomes: 182 passing yards, 3 TDs, MVP honors
Super Bowl LIX (2025):
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- Final Score: Eagles 40, Chiefs 22
- Sacks: Eagles defense recorded 6
- Turnovers: Mahomes threw 2 interceptions
- Eagles Halftime Lead: 24-0 (The Chiefs had only 23 total yards at the half)
Why This Rivalry Feels Different
It's rare to get two teams that stay at the top of the mountain this long. Usually, the "Super Bowl Hangover" is real. But the Chiefs have Mahomes and Andy Reid—who, let's not forget, coached the Eagles for over a decade. The narrative layers here are thicker than a Philly cheesesteak.
Andy Reid winning his first ring against his old team in 2023 was a storyline the media couldn't get enough of. Then, seeing Nick Sirianni and Hurts get their revenge in 2025 felt like the closing of a circle.
A Note on the "Kelce Bowl"
We can't talk about the 2023 meeting without mentioning Travis and Jason Kelce. It was the first time in history two brothers played against each other in the Super Bowl. Their mom, Donna Kelce, became a national celebrity overnight with her half-Chiefs, half-Eagles jersey.
By the time the 2025 rematch rolled around, Jason Kelce had retired, but the shadow of that brotherhood still loomed over the matchup.
What We Learned from These Matchups
If you're looking for actionable insights on how these games were won or lost, it usually comes down to three things:
- Cleat Selection Matters: In the 2023 game, the Eagles players who switched to longer studs at halftime fared much better. If you’re playing on hybrid Bermuda grass (Tahoma 31), traction is everything.
- Pressure Without Blitizing: In the 2025 win, the Eagles generated a 38% pressure rate without blitzing a single time. If you can move Mahomes off his spot with just four guys, he becomes human.
- The "Tush Push" is Inevitable: Both games featured the Eagles' controversial "Brotherly Shove" quarterback sneak. It’s basically a cheat code for short-yardage situations, and the Chiefs—despite their defensive genius Steve Spagnuolo—never truly found a way to stop it consistently.
The history of the Eagles vs. Chiefs in the Super Bowl is essentially a tale of two different philosophies. One game was a high-scoring shootout decided by a whistle; the other was a defensive clinic decided by sheer force at the line of scrimmage.
To keep track of future matchups or to see where these games rank in the all-time list of Super Bowl classics, you should check out the official NFL communications portal or the Pro Football Reference archives for play-by-play breakdowns.
Next Steps for You
- Review the Play-by-Play: Go to Pro-Football-Reference to see the specific drive charts from Super Bowl LVII to see how the Eagles blew a 10-point halftime lead.
- Watch the Highlights: Search for "Super Bowl LIX Mini-Movie" on YouTube to see the cinematic 2025 rematch footage.
- Check the Record Books: Look up the "Most Rushing Yards by a QB in a Super Bowl" to see just how close Hurts is to owning every major dual-threat record.