Chiefs are Super Bowl LVII Champs, winning 38 – 35: NFL Also Scores Another Memorable Halftime Show

Whether one watches the Super Bowl for the spectacular commercials, the halftime show, or the game itself, it has been crowned as one of the most viewed sporting events in history. The latest bowl game played on Feb. 12, Super Bowl LVII, featured the two best teams in the NFL for the 2022-2023 season. The No. 1 ranked Philadelphia Eagles faced off against the No. 2 Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Entering the biggest game of the year, both teams had remarkably similar stats. They each had a 16 – 3 record and a total of 546 points on the season. The question is, which team will come out on top to hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy?

As for the Apple Music Halftime Show, how will Rihanna showcase her musical talent after she has been away from her last solo performance for seven years?

The Chiefs last appeared in the Super Bowl back in 2020, just three years ago and are searching for their third Super Bowl ring. The Eagles, however, haven’t been in the Super Bowl since 2018, when they beat the New England Patriots for their first-ever ring and are looking for their second.

In a high-scoring Super Bowl battle between the Eagles and the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs came out on top as Super Bowl LVII champions, winning 38 – 35 in a nail-biting finish. After a critical holding penalty on the Eagles late in the 4^th quarter, the Chiefs ran most of the clock out to kick a short field goal to earn their third Super Bowl ring.

To start the first quarter, the Eagles received the opening kickoff and quickly marched down the field resulting in a touchdown. Jalen Hurts, Eagles quarterback, rushed for a 1-yard touchdown to open the game’s scoring, 0 – 7. The Chiefs answered right back with a touchdown of their own. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs quarterback, finds a wide-open Tight End, Travis Kelce, for an 18-yard touchdown pass to tie the game, 7 – 7.

Only seconds into the second quarter, Hurts lobs a perfect 45-yard pass to Eagles Wide Receiver, A.J. Brown, in the end zone to go up, 7 – 14. Later, Hurts fumbles the ball, which was recovered and returned for a 36-touchdown by Nick Bolton, Chiefs linebacker, although the Eagles did not let that affect them. Having two crucial fourth down conversions, Hurts was able to rush for his second touchdown of the game to retake their lead, 14 – 21. Jake Elliot, Eagles kicker, successfully nails his 35-yard attempt to increase their lead, 14 – 24, heading into halftime.

The Chiefs received the ball first after halftime and capitalized with a quick touchdown to close their deficit to only three points. Isiah Pacheco, Chief running back, rushed for a 1-yard touchdown to make the score 21 – 24. The Eagles milked almost 8 minutes off the clock while marching down the field. However, they had to settle for a 33-yard field goal after the Chiefs defense stopped them in the RedZone.

After the Eagles field goal, Mahomes found a wide-open Kadarius Toney, Chiefs wide receiver, for a 5-yard touchdown pass to take the lead for the first time of the game, 28 – 27. Minutes later, Toney had a spectacular punt return to put the Chiefs within the 10-yard line. Again, Mahomes found Skyy Moore, Chiefs wide receiver and Pittsburgh native, wide-open for a 4-yard touchdown pass to increase their lead, 35 – 27. However, the Eagles answered back on their next drive. Hurts rushed 2-yards for his third touchdown of the game and successfully rushed in on their two-point conversion to tie the game back up, 35 – 35.

After running all but 8 seconds off the clock, Chiefs Kicker, Harrison Butker, nailed his 27-yard attempt, ultimately winning the game, 38 – 35.

“I just want to shout out my teammates,” Mahomes, who was also named Super Bowl MVP, exclaimed in a post-game interview. “We challenged each other, and it took everybody to win this football game…we’re Super Bowl Champs, let’s Go!”

A Super Bowl would not be complete without a halftime show from one of the greats, Rihanna. This year’s set featured many floating platforms on which dancers and Rihanna herself performed.

Rihanna opened the show by performing “B**** Better Have My Money,” shortly followed by “Where Have You Been” and “Only Girl (In The World).”

Then, fireworks were set off as she sang “We Found Love” and later performed one of her most iconic Caribbean inspire songs, “Rude Boy,” followed by “Work.” During “Wild Thoughts,” she strutted down the runway, just how she did in the music video.

After getting back on the floating platform, she performed “All of the Lights,” which was one of the two Kanye West songs she sang, the other being “Run This Town.”  She concluded her show with two of her fan favorites, “Umbrella” and “Diamonds,” which created a memorable halftime show.

The NFL does not disappoint.

Story by: Carlin Whalen (cjw6426@psu.edu)