Eagles crush Chiefs’ three-peat dreams in historic Super Bowl rout
(L-R) Philadelphia Eagles owner, chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie, Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback #01 Jalen Hurts and Philadelphia Eagles' head coach Nick Sirianni celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the end of Super Bowl LIX, after the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 9, 2025. (AFP Photo)
In a historic showdown that reshaped the NFL landscape, the Philadelphia Eagles crushed the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 at Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans’ Superdome, derailing Kansas City’s bid for an unprecedented third consecutive title and avenging their own bitter defeat from two years ago.
Hurts silences critics with MVP performance
Jalen Hurts, the Eagles’ 26-year-old quarterback, whose leadership had been questioned since Philadelphia’s Super Bowl 57 loss, orchestrated a masterclass in dual-threat quarterbacking.
Completing 17 of 22 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 72 yards and another score, Hurts etched his name in NFL history as the first player to lead his team in both passing and rushing yards in multiple Super Bowls.
“I never said it bothered me. I accepted it for what it was. I found a thrill in it,” Hurts said, addressing years of skepticism about his championship potential. “I can’t control what these people think. If it takes all the hate and all the scrutiny and all the different opinions for me to be a world champion, then keep it coming.”
The victory carried additional weight for Hurts, who had kept an image of himself walking off the field after Super Bowl 57, surrounded by Chief-colored confetti, as his phone’s screensaver—a private reminder of past disappointment that fueled his redemption story.
Chiefs Dynasty bid crumbles under Eagles’ defensive assault
The Eagles’ defense dismantled Kansas City’s typically explosive offense, sacking Patrick Mahomes six times and forcing two interceptions in what became a one-sided affair.
By halftime, Philadelphia had built an insurmountable 24-0 lead through touchdowns from Hurts, Cooper DeJean, and A.J. Brown, effectively ending the Chiefs’ dreams of a three-peat before the third quarter began.
“(Obviously), the turnovers hurt, and I take all the blame for that,” Mahomes said in the aftermath. “I just didn’t play to my standard, and I have to be better next time.”
The defeat particularly stung tight end Travis Kelce, who acknowledged it as the team’s worst performance of the season. “We haven’t played that bad all year. We just couldn’t find that spark,” Kelce admitted.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, facing the team he once led to multiple playoff appearances, shouldered his share of the responsibility. “They played well, they are good players and scheme, and they executed better than what we were (they were) coached better; it starts with me,” Reid said.
Presidential presence and cultural moments mark historic night
The game drew additional attention as President Donald Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend a Super Bowl, arriving via Air Force One after a golf round with Tiger Woods.
Trump’s appearance at the Superdome generated widespread cheers during the national anthem, creating a stark contrast with the reception for pop star Taylor Swift, who faced noticeable boos while supporting boyfriend Travis Kelce.
The halftime show made history of its own as Kendrick Lamar became the first solo rap artist to headline the event.
His 13-minute performance, featuring appearances by SZA and tennis legend Serena Williams, included a carefully crafted mix of classics and recent hits. The show briefly turned political when a protestor, later revealed to be part of the 400-member field cast, unfurled a flag supporting Gaza and Sudan before being tackled by security.
The star-studded crowd of 65,719 included Beatles legend Paul McCartney, actors Kevin Costner, Paul Rudd, and Anne Hathaway, and soccer superstar Lionel Messi, all witnessing what Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts described as the culmination of a challenging journey.
“Going through all the emotions and processing the feelings and experience did a great thing and enhanced my desire to win,” Hurts reflected. “Sometimes you have to accept that you have to wait your time.” For Philadelphia and their quarterback, that time had finally arrived, marking the end of Kansas City’s dynasty hopes and the beginning of their potential legacy.
Eagles kicker Jake Elliott’s four field goals and a dominant defensive performance ensured that Philadelphia’s revenge would be complete, leaving the Chiefs to contemplate their future. Meanwhile, the Eagles celebrated their redemption in a shower of green and white confetti—a fitting end to a Super Bowl that will be remembered as much for its cultural significance as its on-field dominance.
