David D’Annibale, Contributing Writer |
The Kansas City Chiefs have defeated the San Francisco 49ers in this year’s Super Bowl 31-20 after trailing by 10 points heading into the fourth quarter. It has been 50 years since the Chiefs have been able to hoist up the Lombardi Trophy. In 1970, the Kansas City Chiefs led by head coach, Hank Stram, and quarterback, Len Dawson, defeated the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 to earn their first Super Bowl victory. Now the Kansas City Chiefs are the champions of the NFL once again.
The Super Bowl took place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. The 49ers would win the coin toss and defer, allowing the Kansas City Chiefs to choose to receive the opening kickoff. Kansas City would go three and out to start the first quarter. After a Kansas City punt, San Francisco would drive down to the Chiefs 20, being forced to kick a 38-yard field goal made by kicker, Robbie Gould. The Chiefs would respond with a scoring drive of their own ending with Pat Mahomes faking a pitch to Damien Williams and running it in for a touchdown, making the score 7-3. On the next San Francisco drive, Jimmy Garoppolo would be intercepted by Breeland at Kansas City’s 44. The Chiefs capitalized off the turnover by driving to San Francisco’s 13-yard line where the Chiefs would be forced to settle for a 31-yard field by Harrison Butker making the score 10-3. Before halftime Jimmy Garoppolo would throw a 15-yard touchdown pass tying the game 10-10.
The third quarter started with the 49ers taking the lead with a 42-yard field goal. Trailing by three points, Mahomes threw an interception to Fred Warner, then Raheem Mostert ran it in for a one-yard touchdown; the 49ers would take a 20-10 lead. With only 7:13 left in regulation, on third and 15, Mahomes would complete a 44-yard pass to Hill saving the game. This play led to a one-yard touchdown to Travis Kelce making the score 20-17. After a defensive stop the Chiefs would march down the field and score on a touchdown pass from Mahomes to Williams, retaking the lead with a score of 24-20. With the game on the line after missing a wide-open Emmanuel Sanders, Garoppolo failed to convert on fourth down giving the ball back to the Chiefs with a minute and twenty five seconds left on the clock. One play later Damien Williams sealed the game with a 38-yard touchdown run, putting the chiefs up 31-20. On the final 49er’s possession, Garoppolo threw his second interception of the game to Kendall Fuller, officially ending the 49ers chance at a comeback. The Chiefs would run out the clock and end the game.
Mahomes would finish the day with 286 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and would rush for 29 yards plus a touchdown on the ground. Mahomes is the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win the Superbowl MVP. Williams’ strong performance of 133 total yards and two touchdowns would also help secure the victory. Rejoice Kansas City, you are the Superbowl champs once again!
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