Super Bowl 2024: Kansas City Chiefs defeat San Francisco 49ers 25-22
Kansas City are Super Bowl champions once more, winning a thrilling overtime game over San Francisco to give Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce a fairytale ending to an extraordinary week.
Patrick Mahomes hailed Kansas City’s epic Super Bowl comeback win as the greatest of his career as the quarterback claimed MVP honours with a stunning 25-22 overtime victory over San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas on Monday.
Mahomes claimed his third Super Bowl in five years with a perfectly scripted finale as he led the Chiefs to the first back-to-back Lombardi Trophies in two decades, cementing the franchise’s right to be regarded as the NFL’s latest dynasty.
With pop sensation Taylor Swift cheering on boyfriend, tight end star Travis Kelce, the Chiefs overcome a 10-0 deficit to seal victory with an overtime drive and Mahomes touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman with just three seconds of overtime remaining to seal a dramatic win in what was the longest Super Bowl in history.
“It means a ton,” Mahomes said.
“With the adversity we dealt with this year and to come through, the guys never faltered.
“This is the most special one I think I’ve ever gotten, to battle through that adversity and come through that and play on the other side.
“Really the whole game was (like) our whole entire season. Our defence was keeping us in there and the offence was making plays when it mattered.
“I’m proud of the players that kept believing and the coaches making those play calls at the end.”
For long periods, however, it looked as if Kansas City would be denied by San Francisco’s ferocious defence.
Chiefs star Kelce — the boyfriend of watching singer Swift — had a nightmare start to the game, at one stage blowing up on the sidelines at Kansas City head coach Andy Reid in an extraordinary outburst.
“Oh y’all guys saw that,” Kelce said after the game.
“I’m a gonna keep it between us unless my mic’d up tells the world, I was just telling him how much I love him.”
But with Mahomes pulling the strings, the Chiefs finally battled through a below-par performance to deliver when it mattered once more.
It marked the third time that Mahomes has led Kansas City back from double-digit deficits to win the Super Bowl, sealing his reputation as the heir apparent to the legendary Tom Brady.
“He’s done things very few quarterbacks have done – get that man his crown,” Kelce said of Mahomes.
“This guy works harder than any guy I’ve met in my life.
“We know he is prepared then his instincts just take over … and he leads us to another one baby.”
Kelce said the Chiefs knew after their first Super Bowl win in 2020 that the only way they could elevate themselves among the greats of the NFL was to create championship history – and win three titles in a row.
New England Patriots were the last team to win back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004, but no team has ever done a three-peat.
“Well you know the goal has always been to get three,” he said.
“But we couldn’t get here without getting the two.
“We had a target on our back all year.
“We knew after last year, really after the first year we won it, there was another tier of teams that had back-to-back wins.
“The men we won this thing with, they’re family forever baby.
“We get a chance to do it three times in a row now.
“You gotta fight for your right to party. Believe it baby, I see y’all next year.”
US President Joe Biden had his say on the extraordinary game, after a conspiracy that the NFL had been rigged to hand the Chiefs victory to ensure a Biden endorsement from Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift hovered over the week in Las Vegas.
Just like we drew it up. pic.twitter.com/9NBvc5nVZE
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) February 12, 2024
RECAP ALL THE ACTION AS IT HAPPENED LIVE IN LAS VEGAS
3.05PM: MAHOMES CONTINUES HIS GOAT TRAJECTORY
Three rings, three Super Bowl MVPs for Patrick Mahomes, incredible.
Tom Brady’s records were thought to be impossible to catch, but the young phenom has now made catching the GOAT a reality.
At only 28, he could only get better, a scary thought for the entire NFL as the league’s newest dynasty is solidified in Las Vegas.
The quarterback was as humble as ever.
“Defence keeping us in there. And then the offence making plays when it counted. Then Harrison Butker hitting from about 70. It was a microcosm of our whole season. I’m proud of the guys. They kept believing. I’m proud of the coaches for calling, those play, got us touchdowns.”
The Chiefs struggled at times throughout the season, and were underdogs coming into the game, but Mahomes had a pointed message.
“Know the Kansas City Chiefs are never underdogs. Just know that.”
2.50PM: TOUCHDOWN! CHIEFS WIN A CLASSIC!!!
Kansas City are Super Bowl champions yet again, the first team to go back-to-back in 20 years.
After a methodical drive, Patrick Mahomes throws a short pass to a wide-open Mecole Hardman who was untouched as he walked into the endzone.
Patrick Mahomes converted a clutch fourth down in his own side of the field, and just a few minutes later, history was made.
WHAT. A. GAME.
THE CHIEFS ARE BACK-TO-BACK SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS! pic.twitter.com/ZzfhTyUXg9
— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024
2.35PM: 22-19 NINERS, CAN MAHOMES MAKE HISTORY?
Christian McCaffrey, take a bow.
It was all CMC as the 49ers got dangerously close to a huge touchdown, but the Chiefs hold firm near the endzone and they settle for a field goal.
The scenario is now simple, touchdown Chiefs they are champions again, a stop for the 49ers and they take down the NFL’s big bad wolf.
As Tony Romo would say “I’m so nervous Jim!”
Jake Moody converts and 49ers lead, 22-19. Chiefs get the ball back with a chance to score.
— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024
📺: #SBLVIII on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlushttps://t.co/dClcEDViWlpic.twitter.com/KiXYeiv1O4
2.20PM: SUPER BOWL HEADS TO OVERTIME
For just the second time in Super Bowl history, we are headed to overtime.
Patrick Mahomes leads the Chiefs down the field, but the Niners do just enough to save the game down at their end.
This will be the first NFL playoff game with the new overtime rules, with both sides getting a chance to possess the ball if the first team scores on their opening drive.
A classic finish to a classic contest.
WHAT A GAME. TIED AGAIN!
— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024
📺: #SBLVIII on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlushttps://t.co/dClcEDViWlpic.twitter.com/tZXfTIemEQ
2.00PM: CHIEFS SQUARE UP GAME, CAN PURDY DELIVER?
Harrison Butker nails a short field goal and we are tied up with just under six minutes to go.
Brock Purdy and his offence now have a chance to make history, what more could you ask for as a quarterback at the end of the game?
Both teams have been stout defensively, but will one wear down and hand the Super Bowl over to the other?
Butker. Money. We’re tied 16-16 with 5:46 to go.
— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024
📺: #SBLVIII on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlushttps://t.co/dClcEDViWlpic.twitter.com/kuZ5d2kQ3n
1.45PM: TOUCHDOWN, NINERS ON TOP
What an answer from San Francisco!
Brock Purdy leads his team down the field, makes a clutch fourth down conversion to George Kittle and finishes the drive with a TD pass to Juaun Jennings.
However, the extra point is blocked leaving the game at 16-13.
This one is set to have a classic finish.
Purdy. Jennings. 49ers back up 16-13!
— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024
📺: #SBLVIII on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlushttps://t.co/dClcEDViWlpic.twitter.com/NJm9QULXi7
1.30PM: FUMBLE GIFTS CHIEFS FIRST LEAD
The 49ers defence came up huge once more, but a special teams botch gifts the ball back to Kansas City in the red zone, and straight away they score a touchdown.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling is wide open and makes an easy catch, and out of nowhere this game has completely flipped on its head,
The 49ers are also battling injuries, with star wide receiver Deebo Samuel suffering a hamstring complaint and offensive lineman Jon Feliciano going down after a heavy collision.
1.20PM: PITCH INVADERS SWARMED AT SUPER BOWL
The Chiefs have cut slightly into the Niners’ lead, with a 57-yard bomb from Harrison Butker making the score 10-6.
Butker has been money for the reigning champion’s all season.
However, the game was momentarily stopped as two pitch invaders hit the field well away from the action.
Thankfully, there were snuffed out before they could have an impact on the play.
Two fans on the field!!!!pic.twitter.com/GwyWhk1LTnhttps://t.co/pCQHEdvU17
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 12, 2024
1.00PM: CHIEFS OFFENCE CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE
The Chiefs are known for coming out of second halves with great adjustments to their opponents, but have really struggled to start this half.
Patrick Mahomes threw a rare interception on their first possession, but after Kansas City’s defence held up, the Chiefs were stuffed close to their own endzone.
The Chiefs have now gone 16 drives without a touchdown, and will badly need to get going, even if their great defence holds up, but can they?
GIMME THAT@_Tiig2#SBLVIII on CBS pic.twitter.com/kCnhTzPhtz
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) February 12, 2024
12.40PM: USHER BRINGS THE HEAT TO VEGAS
Unsurprisingly, there was plenty of smooth moves and gyrating for the superstar Usher in his halftime performance.
Alicia Keys, Ludacris and H. E. R were some of the stars to appear on stage as the RnB star put on an extravaganza of dance, in a Vegas-inspired performance full of pomp and glamour.
The action doesn’t stop in Las Vegas.
USHER. #AppleMusicHalftimepic.twitter.com/q3BkUzweh6
— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024
12.15PM: 10-3 49ERS AS WE HEAD TO THE HALF
The Chiefs managed to get in the opponent’s redzone, but the 49ers bend their backs to keep the Chiefs from scoring a touchdown, settling for a short field goal.
Kansas City do get the ball to start the second half, so this game remains on serve in a way, but the Niners have totally outplayed their opponents to start this one.
Both the offensive and defensive lines have been superb for San Francisco, with the latter putting a ton of pressure on Patrick Mahomes.
The master quarterback from Kansas City has been in spots like this aplenty, as we head to the half.
11.55AM: TRICK PLAY IGNITES SUPER BOWL
It took a play out the back of Kyle Shanahan’s playbook, but the 49ers have the first touchdown of the Super Bowl, and it’s the superstar Christian McCaffrey who gets the six points.
A double-pass play from the Niners lands in CMC’s hands behind the line of scrimmage, but an open field ahead allows him to walk into the endzone.
The Niners take a well deserved 10-0 lead nearing HT.
However, it’s not all good news for the 49ers, who have lost star linebacker Dre Greenlaw to a freak achilles injury,
Can the Chiefs get on the board before Usher hits the stage?
PURDY TO JENNINGS TO CMC FOR SIX 🔥
— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024
📺: #SBLVIII on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlushttps://t.co/dClcEDViWlpic.twitter.com/ktiTXIiHzS
Dre Greenlaw appeared to injure himself jogging back onto the field pic.twitter.com/p3nwmTUsfO
— NFL on CBS 🈠(@NFLonCBS) February 12, 2024
11.40AM: KELCE EXPLODES AFTER COSTLY PLAY
Superstar tight end Travis Kelce has been susceptible to losing his temper all season, culminating in a tantrum at the feet of coach Andy Reid.
Kelce was taken out of the game on the play the Chiefs fumbled the ball, letting his coach know all about it, even bumping his coach.
Some frustration setting in perhaps?
Travis Kelce looked less than enthused pic.twitter.com/yncKhjtNl4
— NFL on CBS 🈠(@NFLonCBS) February 12, 2024
11.30AM: NINERS MAKE HUGE PLAY
Just when we got a glimpse of the Mahomes magic, the 49ers make a huge play backed up near their own end-zone.
Mahomes launched a 52-yad strike to Mecole Hardman to get the Chiefs down the field, but running back Isaiah Pacheco fumbles on the next play and San Francisco gets the ball right back.
The Chiefs were prone to turnovers in the regular season, but had been clean all post-season so far, allowing them to go on this magical run.
Ball is loose. Deommodore Lenoir knocks the ball out and the @49ers defense forces a turnover!
— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024
📺: #SBLVIII on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlushttps://t.co/dClcEDViWlpic.twitter.com/PeAeIgfScU
11.25AM: 49ER ROOKIE MAKES SUPER BOWL HISTORY
The 49ers are the first team on the board, thanks to the longest field goal in Super Bowl history.
After yet another promising drive, San Francisco was held up near midfield by the Chiefs, sending in rookie kicker Jake Moody to get them on the board.
Moody has struggled at times this season, including missing a game-winning attempt against Cleveland this season.
However, the kicker from Michigan booms this one, going straight through the uprights and we finally have a score.
11.10AM: DEFENSIVE STALEMATE TAKES OVER
These are two of the fiercest defences in the league, and so far it’s been all that side of the ball in Vegas.
The Chiefs have put next to no offence together so far, after one first down from the run, the 49ers swarm to hand the ball back to Brock Purdy and company.
Could the curse of CBS Super Bowls be taking over already?
The past two games on the American networks have been viewed as duds by the public.
San Francisco has made some plays, but can they avoid self-inflicted wounds to get some points on the board?
10.50AM: CHIEFS MAKE EARLY STATEMENT
Once a high-flying offence, the Chiefs have relied on their defence this season, and straight away they come up huge to kick off this one.
The 49ers used superstar Christian McCaffrey to great effect to get down the field, before the ball was ripped out by a Chiefs defender and recovered by George Karloftis.
Can Patrick Mahomes cash in on the early stumble by San Francisco?
The 49ers hold, and will get the chance to go right back down the field.
A massive stand by their defence who has struggled at times in the playoffs.
CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY FUMBLES ON THE FIRST DRIVE 😱
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 11, 2024
The Chiefs take over less than 3 minutes in 👀pic.twitter.com/mBgpOx8V7S
10.35AM: KICKOFF IN LAS VEGAS, WHO WINS IT ALL?
The biggest game in American sports is underway!
After all the pageantry and entertainment, now the battle truly begins on the field at Allegiant Stadium.
The Chiefs have won the toss and deferred their choice to the second half, so we will see Brock Purdy on the field to kick off this blockbuster.
PREDICTION: 24-20 CHIEFS
10.10AM: USHER IS IN THE BUILDING
The Super Bowl’s renowned halftime entertainment will be headlined by superstar Usher this year, and the pop legend is in the building in Las Vegas.
The halftime show is always subject to plenty of speculation, with rumours raging that Justin Bieber will be on stage with the man who took him under his wing when he rose to stardom.
For some, this will be the pinnacle of today’s game.
.@USHER IS HERE. #AppleMusicHalftime#SBLVIII@AppleMusic@RocNationpic.twitter.com/LVxoWVSPUL
— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2024
9.30AM: SWIFT CONSPIRACY TAKES OVER SUPER BOWL
– AFP
The NFL has welcomed the new audience Swift has brought to the league, but commissioner Roger Goodell this week found himself dismissing conspiracy theories suggesting the Super Bowl had been rigged in a bid to tip this year’s presidential election in favour of President Joe Biden.
Goodell said the theories were “frankly not even worth talking about” and on Sunday former president Donald Trump, the frontrunner to take on Biden in November, said in a post on Truth Social on Sunday that a Swift endorsement of Biden in the 2024 election would be “disloyal”.
Trump, claiming credit for the Music Modernization Act, said the legislation addressing copyright law and streaming rights had benefited Swift.
“Joe Biden didn’t do anything for Taylor, and never will,” Trump wrote, saying there was “no way” the singer would endorse Biden and “be disloyal to the man who made her so much money.” “Besides that, I like her boyfriend, Travis, even though he may be a Liberal, and probably can’t stand me!” Trump added.
9.20AM: THE GAME’S BIGGEST NAME ARRIVES
Perhaps for those not too worried about the game itself, the biggest name attached to this game is in the building.
Just a few days out from her Australian tour, Taylor Swift is in Allegiant Stadium, flanked by celebs Blake Lively and Ice Spice.
Swift’s romance with Travis Kelce has taken the world by storm, so it would be a good bet to suggest we will see plenty of the megastar in the stands today.
Taylor Swift is here with Ice Spice and Blake Lively! #SBLVIIIpic.twitter.com/0x4XIDRupW
— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2024
8.45AM: WHO WILL WIN? OUR EXPERTS DECIDE
The biggest party in American sport is about to get even bigger on Monday (AEDT) when Las Vegas hosts the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs in what promises to be a Super Bowl blockbuster for the ages.
But who will win? Julian Linden and Jamie Pandaram debate who will claim the crown.
8.00AM: CAN CHIEFS OVERCOME $1.76m ‘DRAKE CURSE’?
The Drake Curse is a real thing. And that could spell disaster for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Canadian rapper is known to splash the cash on big sporting events – and often ends up on the losing side.
He lost $1m when Argentina beat France in the World Cup final in 2022, and famously bet on the Golden State Warriors when they lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals.
And, for today, he’s bet $US1.15m on the Chiefs – and star tight end Travis Kelce, boyfriend of pop star Taylor Swift – to knock over the favourites San Francisco 49ers.
“I can’t bet against the Swifties,” Drake wrote on Instagram, alongside a screenshot of the monster bet.
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