Honestly, if you missed Super Bowl LIX, you missed one of the most lopsided "heavyweight" bouts in modern football history. Most people expected a nail-biter. They expected Patrick Mahomes to pull some late-game magic out of his helmet like he always does. Instead, we got a 40-22 shellacking where the Philadelphia Eagles didn't just win; they essentially dismantled the Kansas City Chiefs' dreams of a historic three-peat right there in the middle of New Orleans.
It was February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome. The vibes were high, the Kendrick Lamar halftime show was already the talk of the town, and the Chiefs were 1.5-point favorites. But by the time the first half ended, the scoreboard looked like a glitch in the Matrix. 24-0. The Eagles were flying, and the Chiefs looked like they’d forgotten how to play football.
Who Won Last Superbowl and Why It Was a Total Shock
The Philadelphia Eagles are your reigning champions, and they did it by playing a brand of "bully ball" that we haven't seen in years. Everyone talks about the offense, but the real story was the defense. Vic Fangio’s unit turned Patrick Mahomes into a mortal. They sacked him six times—a career-high for him in a single game.
What’s wild is that Philly didn't even need to blitz that much. Their front four, led by guys like Josh Sweat and Jalyx Hunt, just lived in the backfield. Mahomes looked frantic. He looked human. For a guy who usually plays like he’s seeing the world in slow motion, he was definitely rushed, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble.
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- Final Score: Philadelphia Eagles 40, Kansas City Chiefs 22.
- The MVP: Jalen Hurts (who else?).
- The Venue: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans.
- The Big Stakes: Kansas City was trying to become the first team ever to win three straight Super Bowls in the modern era. Philadelphia said "no thanks."
Jalen Hurts and the Redemption Arc
Jalen Hurts was flat-out clinical. He finished with 221 passing yards and two touchdowns through the air, but his legs were the real daggers. He ran for 72 yards and a score, including that infamous "Tush Push" that fans either love or absolutely loathe. Watching him celebrate on that podium, you could tell this one meant more after that heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs just two years prior.
He didn't turn the ball over when it mattered. He kept the chains moving. While Mahomes was scrambling for his life, Hurts was calmly distributing the ball to A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, who both found the end zone. It felt like a changing of the guard, even if just for one night.
The Turning Point Nobody Expected
Usually, in a Super Bowl, there’s a specific play where you go, "Okay, it's over." In this game, it happened way earlier than anyone anticipated. On his 22nd birthday, rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean picked off Mahomes and took it 38 yards back for a touchdown.
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The stadium went from "maybe the Chiefs will rally" to "get the Gatorade ready" in about six seconds.
That pick-six made it 17-0. It broke a streak of 297 straight passes without an interception for Mahomes. It was the kind of soul-crushing play that a young team like the Eagles feeds on. From that point on, the Chiefs were chasing ghosts. They didn't even cross midfield until there were two minutes left in the third quarter. Think about that for a second. The most explosive offense of the decade couldn't get past the 50-yard line for nearly three full quarters.
Kendrick, Drake, and the Halftime Drama
You can't talk about who won last Superbowl without mentioning the halftime show. Kendrick Lamar didn't just perform; he basically threw a victory parade for himself. Featuring SZA and a surprise appearance by Serena Williams, the set was heavy on the hits but also packed with what many fans interpreted as subtle (and not-so-subtle) digs at Drake.
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The performance of "Not Like Us" had the entire Superdome shaking. It was one of those cultural moments that eclipsed the game for a few minutes, especially since the game itself was already becoming a blowout.
What This Means for the NFL Moving Forward
So, is the Chiefs' dynasty dead? Kinda doubt it. But they're definitely wounded. Patrick Mahomes admitted after the game that the turnovers were on him.
On the flip side, the Eagles have established themselves as the new gold standard for roster building. General Manager Howie Roseman has built a team that is deep, mean, and incredibly young in key spots. Saquon Barkley, despite being held to 57 yards in the Super Bowl, broke the all-time record for rushing yards in a season (including playoffs) during this run.
- Watch the Trenches: The Eagles won because their offensive and defensive lines were better. Period.
- Respect the Defense: In an era of high-scoring offenses, Philly proved that a top-ranked defense still wins championships.
- The Mahomes Factor: Even the best can have a "human" night when they're hit six times.
If you’re looking to prep for the next season, keep an eye on how the Chiefs rebuild that offensive line. They got exposed. Meanwhile, the Eagles are looking like they could be the ones chasing a repeat next year in Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to relive the madness, the full game replay is available on NFL+. For those looking ahead, start tracking the 2026 Super Bowl odds—the Eagles are already opening as early favorites to return to the big stage.