NFL news: Super Bowl LIX – Philadelphia Eagles destroy Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans
The Philadelphia Eagles completely destroyed the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 to win Super Bowl LIX, with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts named MVP.
History beckoned for two-time defending champions the Chiefs, but it was not to be as Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce had no answer for an inspired Eagles outfit.
As expected, numerous celebrities and high-profile figures were in attendance, including pop superstar – and Kelce’s better half – Taylor Swift, actors Adam Sandler and Bradley Cooper, football legend Lionel Messi, and current US President Donald Trump.
Sports News Blitz writer Michael Davey reports on the showpiece game.
Contrasting emotions for Mahomes and Hurts
Mahomes branded the defeat “the worst thing in the world”. The quarterback threw for two interceptions, lost a fumble, and was sacked six times – the most in his celebrated career – during a nightmare display at the Caesars Superdome.
Although understandably disappointed with the result, he promised that Sunday’s hammering, along with the Chiefs’ loss at Super Bowl LV, will inspire and drive the rest of his career.
On his own performance, Mahomes was unequivocal: “I didn’t play to my standard and I have to be better next time.”
In contrast, Hurts was over the moon about the crushing victory, describing it as an “unprecedented journey”.
After an almost-perfect performance in which he completed 17 of 22 passes for 221 yards, threw for two touchdowns, and rushed 72 yards on five carries, Hurts was deservedly named the Super Bowl MVP.
“Things come right on time. The last time around, it wasn’t our time, it wasn’t my time,” he said, referencing the Eagles’ loss to the same opponents at Super Bowl LVII. “Going through those emotions and processing those things, that experience, lit a great flame in me and enhanced my desire to win.”
In particular, Hurts praised the efforts of the Eagles’ defence, who were a standout feature of the demolition job in New Orleans.
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Kelce ponders retirement as Barkley sets record
Kelce, meanwhile, has been rumoured to be nearing the end of his illustrious career for a while. The tight end insists that he still loves the game, but time waits for nobody and the 39-year-old will have a lot to ponder after this painful loss.
“Where will I be in three years? Oh man, I don’t know,” Kelce had said in the lead-up to the Super Bowl. “I love doing this, I love coming into work every day, and I feel like I still got a lot of good football left in me, but we’ll see what happens.”
Reports now suggest that this was likely to have been Kelce’s final game. Although letting a Super Bowl three-peat slip through the fingers was not part of the plan, he has nevertheless had a hugely successful career that he can be immensely proud of.
Elsewhere, Barkley had a quiet game for the Eagles by his usually high standards, thanks mainly to the Chiefs – somewhat predictably – targeting him as the danger man.
That decision, however, backfired as it allowed Hurts to roam free and wreak havoc to devastating effect.
“We knew that the focus would be on the run game and we took advantage of it,” the running back said after the match. “Jalen came out, played big and it took a team effort.”
While he had a quiet Super Bowl in the end, Barkley’s 2,504 combined yards across the regular season and play-offs is a new NFL record. The hope going forward is that there is even more to come from the supremely talented offensive dynamo.
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