If you’re scratching your head trying to remember who played the Super Bowl last year, you aren't alone. Sports memory is a funny thing. One minute we’re screaming at the TV, and the next, the details are a blur of buffalo wing sauce and loud commercials.
Last year—specifically February 9, 2025—the NFL world descended on New Orleans. It was Super Bowl LIX. The matchup? A high-stakes rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.
People were calling it the "rematch of the century" or just "the one where the Chiefs try for three." You see, Kansas City was on the verge of a historic "three-peat." No team in the Super Bowl era had ever won three rings in a row. They were the favorites. They had Patrick Mahomes. They had the momentum.
Then the game actually started. Honestly? It was a bloodbath.
The night the Eagles got their revenge
The final score was 40-22 in favor of the Philadelphia Eagles. If that sounds like a blowout, it’s because it basically was. Philly didn't just win; they dismantled the Chiefs' dynasty in front of 65,000 people at the Caesars Superdome.
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The Eagles' defense, led by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, turned into a brick wall. They sacked Mahomes six times. Six. For a guy who usually dances out of trouble, Mahomes looked human. He was under pressure on nearly 40% of his dropbacks, and the wildest part is that the Eagles barely blitzed. They did it all with their front four.
Jalen Hurts was on another level
While Mahomes was running for his life, Jalen Hurts was putting on a clinic. He didn't just play well; he played like a man possessed. He ended up taking home the Super Bowl MVP trophy, and he earned every bit of it.
- Passing: 221 yards and 2 touchdowns.
- Rushing: 72 yards and a touchdown (yes, including a classic "tush push" score).
- Total Control: He only had one interception, which barely mattered in the grand scheme of the game.
The Eagles jumped out to a 24-0 lead by halftime. Imagine being a Chiefs fan sitting in that stadium. You’ve traveled all the way to NOLA, paid $8,000 for a seat, and your team is down four scores before the halftime snacks even arrive.
That birthday pick-six though
If there was one moment that broke the game wide open, it was Cooper DeJean. The rookie defensive back was actually celebrating his 22nd birthday on the day of the Super Bowl. Talk about a gift.
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In the second quarter, he jumped a route, intercepted a desperate Mahomes pass, and took it 38 yards back to the house. The stadium erupted. At that point, the lead grew to 17-0, and you could just feel the air leave the Chiefs' side of the ball. It was one of those "it’s just not their night" moments.
Kendrick Lamar and the halftime vibe
Even if you don't care about football, you probably heard about the halftime show. Kendrick Lamar headlined, and it was... a lot. There was a ton of drama leading up to it because the game was in New Orleans, and a lot of people felt like Lil Wayne should have been the one on stage.
Kendrick didn't seem to care. He brought out SZA, and the production was incredible. He even leaned into the beef of the previous year, performing "Not Like Us" while Serena Williams did a crip walk on stage. It was a cultural moment that almost overshadowed the game itself. Almost.
Why the Chiefs failed the three-peat
So, what went wrong for the "three-peat" dream?
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- Offensive Line Woes: The Chiefs were missing key pieces and had guys playing out of position. Joe Thuney had to slide to left tackle, and it just didn't work.
- The Turnover Bug: Mahomes threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. You can't give a team like Philly three extra possessions and expect to win.
- No Run Game: Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco combined for almost nothing. The Eagles' defense squeezed the life out of the run, forcing the Chiefs to be one-dimensional.
What most people get wrong about Super Bowl LIX
A lot of people remember the score being 40-22 and assume it was a back-and-forth game for a while. It really wasn't. The Eagles were leading 34-0 late in the third quarter.
The Chiefs scored some "garbage time" touchdowns late in the fourth quarter to make the box score look a little more respectable. Xavier Worthy caught two of those late scores, and DeAndre Hopkins grabbed one. But by then, the Eagles starters were already on the sidelines putting on their "Championship" hats.
Actionable takeaways from the 2025 season
If you’re looking back at who played the Super Bowl last year to understand the current state of the NFL, here are the big things to keep in mind:
- Defense still wins championships: The Eagles proved that a dominant pass rush that doesn't rely on blitzing is the ultimate Mahomes-killer.
- The "Tush Push" is here to stay: Despite all the off-season talk about banning it, the Eagles used it effectively to keep drives alive and score at the goal line.
- Rookie impact is real: Cooper DeJean’s performance shows that teams shouldn't be afraid to put young talent in high-pressure roles.
- Dynasties are fragile: The Chiefs looked invincible for two years, but it only takes one bad night and a hungry opponent to end a run.
The 2025 Super Bowl wasn't just another game; it was the end of the Chiefs' attempt at immortality and the coronation of Jalen Hurts as a true elite quarterback. Philadelphia didn't just win a ring—they made a statement that the NFC was officially back on top.