Super Bowl score – Eagles 24, Chiefs 0
The Philadelphia Eagles are decisively leading the Kansas City Chiefs 24-0 at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
The Eagles are striving to secure their second Super Bowl victory. The Chiefs aspire to achieve a historic third consecutive Super Bowl victory; nonetheless, substantial effort still necessary.
Observe: The Super Bowl is broadcast on Fox.
Streaming: Fubo (available for a free trial)
Kendrick Lamar delivers a performance during halftime.
Engage: nfllive@theathletic.com
Sweat achieves career-high performance
Josh Sweat’s 2.5 sacks tonight constitute a new career high, encompassing both regular season and postseason performances, for the seasoned pass rusher. Before tonight, Sweat has recorded two sacks on six separate instances in his career. He still has nearly two quarters more to play.
Xavier Worthy was becoming available on a deep over route when Patrick Mahomes was struck and subsequently sacked during the second-and-11 play.
The Chiefs have punted once more.
Third Quarter, 12:00 – Eagles 24, Chiefs 0
A six-yard sprint by Pacheco and an eight-yard reception by Worthy at the beginning of the second half provide the Chiefs with only their second first down of the game.
However, it proved insufficient, as consecutive sacks on the subsequent two plays positioned Kansas City too far behind the chains to sustain the drive.
The Chiefs execute their sixth punt of the evening, resulting in a touchback.
The second half has commenced!
Third Quarter, 15:00 – Eagles 24, Chiefs 0
The Chiefs may be behind by 24 points, but they will receive the ball to open the second half.
Elliott initiates the kickoff resulting in a touchback, and the game commences!
Comprehensive team effort from the Eagles’ defence
We are clearly in the realm of “defensive player secures Super Bowl MVP” if the second half of this game resembles the first.
However, it has truly been a comprehensive team performance from the Eagles defence. Josh Sweat, the Eagles’ leading sack artist during the regular season, recorded 1.5 sacks and effectively propelled Pro Bowl offensive tackle Joe Thuney directly into Patrick Mahomes, resulting in Mahomes’ second interception late in the first half. Defensive Rookie of the Year contender Cooper DeJean and First Team All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun accounted for the two interceptions, with DeJean returning one for a pick six.
The remainder of the Eagles’ secondary has also performed admirably. Safeties Reed Blankenship and C.J. Gardner-Johnson both recorded two tackles, with Blankenship making a crucial stop on a play designed for a catch-and-run by the swift Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy. Quinyon Mitchell recorded a single tackle, yet it mirrored a decisive hit on a short ball to JuJu Smith-Schuster, which the Eagles’ other prominent rookie cornerback effectively neutralised.
Summary of the initial half
If you overlooked the first half, the Eagles exhibited a commanding performance, particularly in their defensive play. Philadelphia has surged to a 24-0 advantage against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, marked by rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean’s interception return for a touchdown on his 22nd birthday.
DeJean’s interception constituted the inaugural one of his career and represented the first playoff pick-six thrown by Patrick Mahomes in his eight-year tenure. Since 2017, Mahomes has thrown only five pick-sixes, with tonight’s being his first since Christmas Day 2023.
DeJean’s interception became the first touchdown return from an interception in a Super Bowl since 2017, when Atlanta Falcons defensive back Robert Alford returned a Tom Brady ball 82 yards, giving the Falcons a 20-0 lead over the New England Patriots.
