New Orleans. The Big Easy.
It feels like yesterday that the confetti fell at the Caesars Superdome. If you’ve been living under a rock or just need the memory refreshed, the answer to who going to the Super Bowl 2025 ended up being a heavyweight clash we'd seen before: the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.
This wasn't just another game. It was a legacy-defining moment.
The Chiefs were hunting for a "three-peat"—something no team in the Super Bowl era had ever done. Patrick Mahomes was chasing ghosts. Andy Reid was looking to cement himself as the greatest of all time. But standing in their way was a Philly team that looked like they had been built in a lab specifically to dismantle the Kansas City machine.
The Road to New Orleans
The 2024-25 NFL season was a chaotic mess in the best way possible.
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Kansas City finished 15-2. They looked inevitable. Even though Mahomes didn't hit his usual 4,000-yard mark, he was the master of the "ugly win," tallying seven game-winning drives. They traded for DeAndre Hopkins mid-season, and suddenly, that offense found its rhythm again. They crushed the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship to book their ticket.
Honestly, it felt like the three-peat was a foregone conclusion.
Then there were the Eagles. Philadelphia went 14-3. They weren't just winning; they were bullying people. In the NFC Championship, they absolutely dismantled the Washington Commanders 55-23. Jalen Hurts was playing with a chip on his shoulder the size of the Liberty Bell.
The Big Day Details
- Date: February 9, 2025
- Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
- The Matchup: Kansas City Chiefs (AFC) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (NFC)
- National Anthem: Jon Batiste
- Halftime Show: Kendrick Lamar (featuring SZA)
Who Going to the Super Bowl 2025: The Result
If you bet on the Chiefs, you lost.
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Philadelphia didn't just win; they dominated. The final score was 40-22. It was a revenge tour two years in the making after their loss in Super Bowl LVII. Jalen Hurts took home the MVP trophy, racking up over 300 yards of total offense and three touchdowns.
But the real story? The defense.
The Eagles' defense held the Chiefs scoreless on their first nine drives. That is unheard of against a Mahomes-led team. Rookie Cooper DeJean even chipped in a pick-six that basically iced the game.
What Most Fans Missed
People focused on the three-peat narrative, but the real advantage was the Eagles' offensive line. Pro Bowlers like Joe Thuney and Creed Humphrey couldn't stop the Philly pass rush. It was a masterclass in trench warfare.
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The broadcast on Fox—with Tom Brady in the booth for his first Super Bowl as an analyst—pulled in 127.7 million viewers. It became the most-watched broadcast in American history.
Why the 2025 Matchup Still Matters Today
Looking back from 2026, that 2025 Super Bowl was a turning point.
It broke the Chiefs' aura of invincibility. It proved that Jalen Hurts could go toe-to-toe with the best in the world and come out on top. It also showed that New Orleans is still the best host city in the world for a party this big.
If you’re looking to catch up on the legacy of these teams, start by watching the "Unscripted" documentary on the Eagles' preparation. It shows the mental grind required to stop a dynasty. Also, keep an eye on the 2026 playoff bracket—the Eagles are currently fighting to defend their title, while the Chiefs are looking to rebuild after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch the Replay: If you missed the Cooper DeJean pick-six, find the highlight reel on the NFL's official YouTube channel; it’s a textbook example of baiting a veteran QB.
- Check 2026 Standings: Since we are currently in the 2025-26 postseason, check the latest scores for the Divisional Round to see if a new favorite has emerged to replace the Eagles.
- Review the Stats: Look at the "Gamebook" for Super Bowl LIX to see how the Eagles' time of possession (nearly 38 minutes) wore down the Chiefs' defense.