Patrick Mahomes faced more obstacles this season than at any point in his career. But in true Mahomes’ fashion the end result was the same as last year for him and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Mahomes rallied the Chiefs to a thrilling 25-22 overtime victory against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday in Las Vegas, giving the Chiefs their second straight title. The last team to win back-to-back titles was the Patriots in the 2003-04 seasons.
Trailing by a field goal halfway through overtime, Mahomes took the Chiefs right down the field, scrambling for two first downs and completing all eight of his throws on the drive, delivering the game-winner with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman and putting the Chiefs in rarified air.
The Chiefs have won three Super Bowls in the last five seasons, and Mahomes earned his third Super Bowl MVP. When asked if the Chiefs had reached dynasty status, Mahomes and the Chiefs simply can’t deny it anymore.
“It’s the start of one,” Mahomes said. “But we’re not done. I know we’re going to celebrate tonight. Celebrate at the parade, but we’re not done. We got a young team and we’re going to keep this thing going.”
Mahomes is the sixth quarterback to win three Super Bowls. Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw have four and Tom Brady has seven, though that number doesn’t seem untouchable as Mahomes is just 28.
Mahomes also is closing in on Brady’s record of five Super Bowl MVPs. Joe Montana is the only other player with three. Mahomes completed 34 of 46 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. He also led the Chiefs in rushing with 66 yards on nine carries.
“I love what he did,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.
Another Lombardi Trophy and Super Bowl MVP seemed improbable much of the night for Mahomes and the Chiefs as they trailed 10-0 in the first half and were down a field goal late in the fourth quarter and in the closing seconds of the first overtime.
Mahomes, however, said the game was “a microcosm” of the Chiefs’ season as they had similar struggles before eventually turning things around and finishing strong. The Chiefs certainly did that. On their last five possessions they went field goal, touchdown, field goal, field goal, touchdown to end the game.
“Never a doubt in my mind,” said Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who had nine catches for 93 yards. “We knew when they had to kick a field goal that it was on us and we got the best quarterback in the league. We got the best offensive mind in the league, and we got the most determination out of any team in the NFL and you saw all of that today.”
As red and yellow confetti filled the air, Mahomes ran and embraced Hardman in the end zone then ran all the way back to the Chiefs’ sideline. With his helmet off he fell onto the turf and looked up at the sky in disbelief and delight.
“I can’t even explain what was going through my mind,” Mahomes said. “Extreme joy. I didn’t even know where to go. It’s so exciting. I’m so proud of the team, so proud of the guys and to battle to the end.”
On the game’s final play, Hardman lined up to the right then motioned left only to peel back right. He quickly found himself all alone in the end zone but didn’t realize he had scored the winning the touchdown in the Super Bowl until Mahomes told him.
“I’m telling you I blacked out when I caught the ball,” said Hardman, who caught three passes for 57 yards. “But it feels awesome.”
Three rings into his career, Mahomes couldn’t say which Super Bowl was the most difficult to win. But he noted there each of them had one thing in common.
“It takes your best,” Mahomes said. “And I think for me personally it was just battling through adversity throughout the season. Whenever the offense wasn’t playing like I wanted it to play and we just continued to believe and fight. But all these games are tough, and it takes your best football.”
