Honestly, the hype was almost too much to handle.
Going into February 2025, every single sports bar from Philly to the Ozarks was vibrating with the same question. Could Patrick Mahomes actually pull off the three-peat? Nobody in the history of the NFL had won three Super Bowls in a row. It was supposed to be the coronation.
But then the game actually started.
If you are trying to remember who played in the super bowl last year, it was a high-stakes rematch of 2023: the Philadelphia Eagles versus the Kansas City Chiefs.
Most people expected a nail-biter. Instead, they got a defensive clinic that left the "dynasty" looking surprisingly mortal. The Eagles didn't just win; they physically dismantled the Chiefs at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
Final score? 40-22.
And it wasn't even as close as that score makes it look.
The Matchup: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The road to Super Bowl LIX was kinda wild.
The Chiefs arrived in New Orleans with a 15-2 regular-season record, having survived a gritty AFC title game against the Buffalo Bills. Meanwhile, the Eagles had basically steamrolled the Washington Commanders 55-23 to win the NFC.
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Philly was out for blood. Two years prior, they’d lost to Kansas City in a heartbreaker. This time, they weren't interested in a repeat of that narrative.
Why it felt different
Usually, you see Mahomes dance around the pocket and find Travis Kelce for some "how-did-he-do-that" first down. That didn't happen.
The Eagles' defensive line, retooled by Howie Roseman, decided to live in the Chiefs' backfield. They sacked Mahomes six times. Six.
What's even crazier? They did it without blitzing.
They just beat the Chiefs' offensive line straight up. It’s rare to see a quarterback as legendary as Mahomes look "frantic," but that’s the word everyone used the next morning. He was seeing ghosts by the second quarter.
Key Moments and the Jalen Hurts Show
If you're wondering who played in the super bowl last year and dominated the stat sheet, it was Jalen Hurts.
He walked away with the MVP trophy, and he earned every bit of it. He threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, setting a new Super Bowl record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 72 yards on the ground.
He was surgical.
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The Pick-Six that Changed Everything
The real "I-can't-believe-that-just-happened" moment came from a rookie.
Cooper DeJean.
On his 22nd birthday, of all days.
He jumped a route, picked off Mahomes, and took it 38 yards to the house. The stadium, which was already leaning heavily toward the midnight green of the Eagles fans, absolutely exploded. That play put the Eagles up 17-0, and you could sort of feel the air leave the Chiefs' sideline.
The Halftime Vibe
Let’s talk about Kendrick Lamar.
Before the second half even started, the entertainment world was already reeling. Kendrick’s performance—featuring SZA—was basically a victory lap for his year. He even performed "Not Like Us," which, in the context of a Super Bowl in New Orleans, felt like a cultural moment.
It was the most-watched halftime show in history, even beating Michael Jackson's old records.
What the Stats Don’t Tell You
Look, you can find the box score anywhere.
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But watching who played in the super bowl last year was about seeing the end of a specific kind of invincibility. The Chiefs were favored by 1.5 points. They were the "team of destiny."
But the Eagles played a brand of "bully ball" that we haven't seen in a championship game in years.
- Total Yards: The Eagles amassed over 300 yards of offense.
- Defense: The Chiefs were held scoreless on their first nine drives.
- Saquon’s Impact: Saquon Barkley, in his first year with the Eagles, didn't have a massive scoring night, but his 57 rushing yards and presence forced the Chiefs to respect the run on every snap.
The game ended with the Eagles holding a 40-6 lead with five minutes left.
The Chiefs scored two late touchdowns against the Eagles' backups to make the score look respectable, but the damage was done.
Lessons for the Next Season
If you're placing bets or just following the league, the takeaway from last year's Super Bowl is pretty clear.
- D-Line Depth is King: The Eagles proved that if you can pressure the QB with four men, you win championships.
- The Mahomes Era isn't Over, but it's Vulnerable: For the first time, we saw a blueprint on how to truly rattle the best player in the league.
- Hurts is Elite: Any lingering doubt about Jalen Hurts' ability to win "the big one" evaporated in the New Orleans humidity.
If you want to keep up with how these two teams are retooling for the current season, keep an eye on the injury reports for the Eagles' offensive line. They lost some veteran leadership in the offseason, and seeing how they replace that grit is going to be the story of the year.
Also, watch the Chiefs' wide receiver room. Last year, they lacked a consistent deep threat until it was too late. If they don't fix that, the "three-peat" will remain a pipe dream.
Go back and watch the highlights of DeJean’s pick-six if you get a chance. It’s a masterclass in reading a quarterback's eyes, even when that quarterback is a future Hall of Famer.