The Kansas City Chiefs are your 2024 Super Bowl champions. Sound familiar?
In last year’s Super Bowl recap, I wrote that the Chiefs were on the doorstep of being a dynasty. Like clockwork, here they are again, at the top of the NFL world, defeating the NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime to win their third championship in five years. With yet another clutch performance, the Chiefs have proven themselves practically unbeatable in the playoffs.
The 49ers went into the game as slight favorites, just as the Philadelphia Eagles had last year, with many sports pundits arguing that their stacked roster would be too much for the Chiefs to handle (they won’t be making that mistake again). In odds-makers’ defense, the 49ers are, indeed, an incredibly talented team, boasting superstar players such as Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey, the incredible utility player Deebo Samuel, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, tight end George Kittle, offensive lineman Trent Williams, edge rusher Nick Bosa and a strong defense to support them. In practically every category, the 49ers outmatch the Chiefs — except for one, and it just so happens to be the most important one: quarterback. Although quarterback Brock Purdy made the Pro Bowl this year, he is no Patrick Mahomes. That became evident in the final stretch of the game, where Mahomes made all the right plays, while Purdy seemed to succumb to the pressure.
Perhaps the most significant storyline going into the game was the relationship between superstar tight end Travis Kelce and global pop star Taylor Swift, who watched the game alongside Kelce and Mahomes’s families. The media’s focus on Swift during games has caused a lot of controversy throughout the season, with many NFL fans — mainly obnoxious men — complaining that she’s taken up too much screen time in Chiefs games. On the other hand, Swift’s presence at games has introduced a whole new group of fans to the NFL, and, if anything, football fans should be glad that viewership has increased so much since the onset of her relationship with Kelce.
Swift’s profound influence on the public is indicative of the power of art to unite people. Seemingly overnight, haters became fans and football novices became football aficionados — and it all started with one artist. Whether you’re a fan of Swift’s music or not — or a fan of the Chiefs, for that matter — you should appreciate and celebrate what she and her work have done not only for NFL viewership but for the game of football itself. The image of Swift and Kelce embracing each other after the game was heartwarming and bittersweet, and it made the Chiefs’ winning moment all the more exciting.
Now, onto the game.
To say that this was one of the most thrilling Super Bowls in history would be an understatement. It was the closest game I’ve ever watched in all my years of watching the NFL and only the second-ever Super Bowl to go to overtime. The game started slow, with a scoreless first quarter. With a Jake Moody 55-yard field goal — the longest in Super Bowl history — followed by an impressive trick play, the 49ers jumped to a quick 10-0 lead in the second. The Chiefs cut the lead down to 7 with a Harrison Butker field goal as the half ended.
This year’s halftime show, headlined by Usher, was entertaining and nostalgic. It featured surprise performances by Ludacris, Alicia Keys, H.E.R. and several other notable collaborators of Usher’s. Usher stole the show with his Michael-Jackson-style dance moves (and unexpectedly skillful rollerblading), giving the audience a treat — and a much-needed breather — before the second half.
The second half was far more exciting. Butker drained another field goal early, this one 57 yards, breaking Moody’s record set just a few minutes earlier, to cut the 49ers’ lead to 4. The momentum then shifted in the Chiefs’ favor when the 49ers muffed a punt, leading to an easy touchdown. The 49ers scored one more touchdown afterward, putting them in a great position to win, but they got blocked on their extra point attempt, an error that would effectively lose them the game. The two teams went on to exchange field goals for the remainder of regulation, sending the game to overtime with a score of 19-19.
The 49ers received the ball in overtime, and, once again, it seemed like they were going to win the game, with McCaffrey leading a masterful drive to set them up near the goal line. However, the Chiefs’ defense came up clutch and forced a 49ers field goal. For the second straight year, the ballgame came down to a game-winning drive, and it was the Chiefs who ended up on top. On 1st and Goal, Mahomes rolled out to his right and threw a dart to Mecole Hardman on a beautifully drawn-up play by head coach Andy Reid. Converting several third downs and even a fourth down using his legs on the way to an electrifying walk-off finish, Mahomes proved himself to be the world’s best quarterback.
After the game, reporters clamored around Mahomes, asking if this is now a dynasty. “It’s the start of one,” he replied. “But we’re not done.” No team has ever three-peated as Super Bowl champs, so the question remains: will this be the team to do it?
