Super Bowl LIX was supposed to be a coronation. Everyone felt it. You could hear it in the way people talked about the Kansas City Chiefs all through the 2024 season. They were chasing the "three-peat," that mythical third consecutive Lombardi Trophy that has eluded every great dynasty from the 70s Steelers to the 90s Cowboys.
But the Philadelphia Eagles had other plans.
If you're trying to remember who was in last year's Super Bowl, it was the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. They met on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. It wasn't just a game; it was a rematch of the thriller from two years prior. Only this time, the script didn't just flip—it was shredded and tossed into the Mississippi River.
The Rematch: Who Was in Last Year's Super Bowl?
The Eagles didn't just win; they dominated. Final score: 40–22. Honestly, even that score makes it look closer than it actually was. Philadelphia held a 40–6 lead late into the fourth quarter. It was the kind of blowout that felt surreal to watch, especially considering Patrick Mahomes was on the other side.
Most people remember the Eagles’ high-flying offense, but the real story was the defense. They sacked Mahomes six times. Six. That’s a career-high for him in a single game. The Eagles' defensive front, led by Jalen Carter and Milton Williams, basically lived in the Chiefs' backfield. It was uncomfortable to watch at times.
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A First Half No One Saw Coming
The first thirty minutes were a total nightmare for Kansas City. The Eagles went into the locker room at halftime leading 24–0.
Think about that.
The two-time defending champions were shut out in the first half of the biggest game of the year. Rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean, playing on his birthday no less, caught a 38-yard pick-six that felt like the dagger before the second quarter was even over. You've got to feel for the Chiefs fans who traveled to New Orleans only to see their team down by three scores before Kendrick Lamar even took the stage.
The MVP: Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts was the undisputed star of the night. He took home the Super Bowl MVP trophy after putting up three total touchdowns.
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- Passing: 221 yards and 2 touchdowns.
- Rushing: 72 yards and 1 touchdown.
- Record: He set the Super Bowl record for rushing yards by a quarterback.
He looked completely in control. While Mahomes was scrambling for his life, Hurts was calmly picking apart the Chiefs' secondary. He found A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith for big plays whenever he needed them. It was a masterclass in dual-threat quarterbacking.
Kendrick Lamar and the New Orleans Vibe
The halftime show was its own beast. Kendrick Lamar headlined, and he didn't pull any punches. He brought out SZA and even had a surprise appearance from Serena Williams. The setlist was heavy on his recent hits, including "Not Like Us," which had the entire Superdome vibrating.
New Orleans is always a great host, but there was something different about this one. It was the eleventh time the city hosted the big game. Between the jazz in the streets and the absolute demolition on the field, it's a Super Bowl that’ll be talked about for a long while.
What Really Happened with the Chiefs?
You might be wondering how a team this good fell apart so quickly. Basically, it came down to the trenches. The Chiefs' offensive line, which had been a bit of a question mark all season, finally buckled. Mahomes is a magician, but you can't throw touchdown passes from your back.
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Travis Kelce was mostly a non-factor for the first three quarters. There was so much talk about whether this would be his last game, and while he didn't officially retire on the podium, the frustration on his face was obvious.
The Chiefs did manage some late "garbage time" points. Xavier Worthy caught two touchdowns, and DeAndre Hopkins snagged one late in the fourth. But by then, the Eagles players were already dousing Nick Sirianni in yellow Gatorade.
Actionable Insights for Next Season
If you're looking back at who was in last year's Super Bowl to help you figure out what's coming next, keep these three things in mind:
- Defense Still Wins Championships: The Eagles proved that a dominant four-man rush is the only way to truly neutralize an elite quarterback like Mahomes. Watch for teams to copy Philadelphia's "trench-first" team-building strategy.
- The Window is Wide Open for Philly: With Jalen Hurts only 27 and a young defensive core, the Eagles aren't going anywhere. They are the benchmark for the NFC right now.
- The Chiefs Dynasty Isn't Dead, but it's Dented: Never count out Mahomes and Andy Reid, but this loss showed they need to get younger and faster on the offensive line if they want to get back to the top.
To stay ahead of the curve for the upcoming season, start tracking the injury reports for the Eagles' defensive front and the Chiefs' offensive line rotations. Those are the units that decided the last championship, and they'll likely decide the next one too.