Back to back champions
Photo by Kelsey Watson
Kelsey Watson, Staff Writer
Superbowl 58 was set in Las Vegas, Nevada between the AFC Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs and The NFC Champions, the San Francisco 49ers.
Despite them being the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Chiefs are slight underdogs in this year’s match-up. By Saturday afternoon, CBS News said the 49ers are a 2-point favorite. This game was predicted as a low-scoring affair as Kansas City’s defense is ranked number two in the NFL this season and San Francisco’s defense is right behind them at number three.
As the visiting team, the San Francisco 49ers got to call the coin toss. They chose tails and it was heads. The Kansas City Chiefs deferred until the second half, so they kicked off to the 49ers to start the game.
The first quarter was all about defense. Neither Kansas City nor San Francisco scored this quarter, but it was not without action. San Francisco’s running back Christian McCaffrey fumbled the ball on their first drive, this being only his third fumble all season. Kansas City’s quarterback, Patrick Mahomes was sacked for a loss of four yards.
This game marked the first 0-0 first quarter at the Super Bowl in five years. Only the 10 ever.
The second quarter was one for the 49ers fans as it started off with a 55-yard field goal by San Francisco, making the score 3-0. This field goal broke the record for the longest field goal in Super Bowl history. The previous record was 54 yards.
The 49ers followed their field-goal with a McCaffrey touchdown. But, as the quarter continued, Kansas City answered with a field-goal as well.
The score at half time was 10-3 with San Francisco in the lead.
On the third play of the second half, Mahomes was intercepted by San Francisco safety Ji’Ayir Brown.
Just one quarter after San Francisco’s Jake Moody broke the record for longest field goal in Super Bowl history, Kansas City’s Harrison Butker kicked one of his own. Butker broke this record with his field goal being 57 yards.
Kansas City then recovers their own punt and goes on to score a touchdown in the same drive, making the score 13-10 with the Chiefs in the lead at the end of the third quarter.
To start the fourth quarter, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy threw to wide receiver Jauan Jennings to score a touchdown, but the extra point was blocked by the Chiefs, making the score 16-13 with San Francisco ahead three points.
Mahomes and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce connected for a pass completion of 29 yards before Mahomes threw to Jennings for a 25-yard gain, but ultimately went for a field goal, tying the game at 16-16.
Moody scored another field goal, making the 49ers another three points. This field goal put them in the lead with a score of 19-16 with two minutes to go in the game.
Kansas City got themselves to the red zone and settled for a 29-yard field goal, tying the game at 19-19 and sending it into overtime for only the second time in NFL history.
San Francisco won the toss to receive the ball to start overtime. Purdy hit McCaffrey for a 24-yard gain and was held to a 27-yard field goal.
On fourth-and-1, Mahomes completed an 8-yard carry and then another 19-yard carry, making it into the redzone. After three plays, Mahomes passed the ball to wide receiver Mecole Hardman to score the game winning touchdown, the final score being 25-22 Kansas City.
To end the night, the Vince Lombardi Trophy was presented to the Kansas City Chiefs and Mahomes was awarded his third Super Bowl MVP award.
