Super Bowl Sunday has emerged as an unofficial American holiday in which many people host parties regardless of whether or not they are football fans. Super Bowl Sunday is the second-largest food consumption event in the United States, only trailing behind Thanksgiving. The Super Bowl was initially just a football that has since become a massive pop culture event. Whether it is the game itself, the funny commercials, the halftime show, or teasers for upcoming movies like “Deadpool 3,” “Twister,” and “Wicked,” there is a lot that goes on during the Super Bowl that people can enjoy.
Is the NFL rigged? Some people wonder and even the president of the United States played into that belief on social media. Super Bowl LVIII was a matchup between the San Francisco 49ers (12-5) and Kansas City Chiefs (11-6) in a rematch of Super Bowl LIV in which the Chiefs won 31-20. The 49ers were looking to end their 29-year Super Bowl drought. In contrast, the Chiefs were looking to be the first repeat Super Bowl champions since the 2003-04 New England Patriots.
The first half of the game saw the Chiefs struggling to move the ball effectively and the 49ers struggling to get anything going when they approached the Chiefs’ territory. The game’s first drive looked promising for the 49ers, but Christian McCaffrey fumbled in the Chiefs’ territory resulting in a Chiefs’ recovery. Both teams were held scoreless in the first quarter in what initially looked to be a defensive battle. The first points came early in the 2nd quarter with a 55-yard field goal from Jake Moody of the 49ers to give them a 3-0 lead. The Chiefs looked primed to respond with a nice drive that put them deep into Niner territory with Patrick Mahomes’ pass to Mecole Hardman for a gain of 52 yards, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled, and the 49ers recovered the football. Later in the second quarter, the 49ers ran a trick play in which wide receiver Jauan Jennings connected with McCaffrey on a pass for a touchdown. The 49ers took a 10-0 lead over the Chiefs. The Chiefs, who found themselves down by two possessions, drove down the field and kicked a field goal to make it a one-possession game again. The 49ers went into halftime with a 10-3 lead over the Chiefs.
The halftime show was performed by platinum R&B recording artist and superstar Usher who performed top songs like “Burn,” “U Don’t Have to Call,” “Confessions,” and “Yeah!” However, to the travesty of many fans, Usher did not play “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love.” Guest Performer Alicia Keys played the piano while performing her hit song, “If I Ain’t Got You,” before she and Usher sang “My Boo” together. Other guest artists were Jermaine Dupri, H.E.R., will.i.am, Ludacris, and Lil Jon. The halftime show also had viewers wondering what happened to a fan who was launched into the air.
The third quarter saw the 49ers held scoreless; the 49ers offense had three consecutive three-and-outs to start the second half. To make matters worse, the 49ers muffed a punt that resulted in the Chiefs stealing a possession away from the 49ers. The Chiefs quickly turned that turnover into points with Mahomes’ connecting with Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 16-yard touchdown. Just like that, the Chiefs were up 13-10. The lead didn’t last as the 49ers ran a nice six-minute drive in the fourth quarter that resulted in a touchdown with Brock Purdy connecting with Jennings. The PAT however was blocked, but the 49ers’ still had a three-point advantage. The Chiefs responded with a five-minute drive that resulted in a field goal to tie that game at 16 apiece. The 49ers and Chiefs both scored field goals on their next drives, respectively and sent the game to overtime with a 19-19 tie.
This was the first time we saw the new playoff overtime rule, giving both teams a chance to have possession. The 49ers won the coin toss and elected to receive. The 49ers ran a nice drive and got deep into Chief territory, but the Chiefs’ red zone defense stood strong, and the 49ers were forced to settle for a field goal. The Chiefs were in position to win the game with a touchdown, and they did just that. With less than a minute left in overtime, Mahomes connected with a wide-open Hardman for the walk-off touchdown.
With the win, the Chiefs won back-to-back Super Bowls and won three of the last five Super Bowls. Right when everyone thought the league would be more fun with the end of the Patriots’ dynasty and Tom Brady’s retirement, a new dynasty emerged from the shadows: Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. For the 49ers, their Super Bowl drought will extend to 30 years, and lost three Super Bowls in that span.
Mahomes showed the world why he is the man to beat in the NFL with 333 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Mahomes also utilized his mobility to slow down the 49ers’ ferocious pass rush, finishing with 66 rushing yards. Everything that could’ve gone wrong went wrong for the 49ers, whether it was players reportedly not knowing of the overtime rule change, Dre Greenlaw tearing his achilles while running onto the field, or the muffed punt that occurred as a result of the football ricocheting off of Darrell Luter Jr’s foot while Ray-Ray McCloud III was set to return the punt, the 49ers had the worst of luck. Nonetheless, a Super Bowl game that goes into overtime is a win for football fans everywhere, and we will see what Super Bowl LVIX brings next year.
The Talon would to express condolences to all who were affected in the Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting. No one should fear for their life while celebrating their team’s championship win. The Kansas City Chiefs and United Way of Greater Kansas City are partnering in which all proceeds will go towards the victims and their families, violent prevention, mental health services, and first responders. Click here to donate.
