LAS VEGAS — Moments after main a profitable scoring drive in time beyond regulation, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was named Tremendous Bowl LVIII MVP on Sunday night time.
But it surely didn’t come with out drama. Not with the Chiefs trailing and needing not less than a subject purpose to increase the sport.
Mahomes had a singular mindset when the Kansas Metropolis protection held the San Francisco 49ers to a subject purpose on the opening possession of time beyond regulation Sunday night time.
“Our mindset was: Go win the sport proper right here,” Mahomes mentioned. “As soon as we bought that ball — we fell brief in regulation, we’re not going to try this once more. We’ll go on the market and win the sport.”
Achieved deal.
As a result of after Mahomes led the Chiefs 75 yards in 13 performs — together with his working for 27 yards on a pair of carries, on fourth-and-1 and third-and-1 conversions throughout the drive — he hit receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. for a 3-yard, walk-off rating with three seconds on the clock to offer the Chiefs a 25-22 victory.
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Not solely had Mahomes, who’s simply 28 years outdated, and the Chiefs received their third Tremendous Bowl in 5 years, Mahomes had his third Tremendous Bowl MVP award, tying him with Corridor of Famer Joe Montana for second most behind Tom Brady, who has 5.
Mahomes threw for 333 yards whereas finishing 34 of 46 makes an attempt with two landing passes and an interception for a 99.3 passer score, and ran for 66 extra yards.
“The offense persevered,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid mentioned. “That final drive was a factor of magnificence.”
And the Chiefs are the NFL’s first back-to-back champs because the 2004-05 New England Patriots.
Mahomes additionally maintained his undefeated file at Allegiant Stadium, having overwhelmed the Las Vegas Raiders 4 occasions on their dwelling subject because it opened in 2020. However this night time was simply probably the most dramatic, as his final cross of the sport ended simply the second time beyond regulation recreation in Tremendous Bowl historical past.
The drive Mahomes engineered on the finish of regulation set the stage.
Information set in Tremendous Bowl LVIII
Most subject objectives made, profession: 9, Harrison ButkerLongest subject purpose made: 57, Harrison ButkerMost 50-Yard subject objectives made, recreation: 2, Jake MoodyHighest common punting, recreation: 50.8, Tommy Townsend, Mitch WishnowskyMost fumbles recovered, profession: 4, Patrick MahomesMost subject objectives made, each groups: 7, Kansas Metropolis (4), San Francisco (3)Highest common punting, group: 50.8, Kansas Metropolis, San FranciscoFewest kickoff returns, each groups: 0, Kansas Metropolis vs. San FranciscoFewest kickoff return yards, each groups: 0, Kansas Metropolis vs. San Francisco
With 1:53 to play and the Chiefs trailing 19-16, Mahomes did what Mahomes does. He led Kansas Metropolis on an 11-play, 64-yard drive that concluded with a Harrison Butker 29-yard subject purpose with three seconds left.
And after the 49ers took that 22-19 lead on the opening possession of time beyond regulation, Mahomes replicated it.
“I assume at this level, I take it with no consideration, however I do know we’re in each single recreation I’ve ever performed in with him, it doesn’t matter what the rating is, regardless of how a lot time is left,” Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce mentioned, confirming that Mahomes entered the huddle on that drive and mentioned, “Let’s go win this factor.”
“That man’s bought magic in his proper arm, man, and he can simply — he discovered methods to propel us, even together with his legs, as you noticed right now.”
Reid concurred together with his star tight finish.
“There is no façade there,” he mentioned. “He involves work on daily basis humble. He desires to get higher on daily basis.”
And as Mahomes mentioned, the sport itself was a “microcosm” of the Chiefs’ season, one through which the champs gave the impression to be teetering after they misplaced 5 of eight at one level.
The final recreation they misplaced was at dwelling Christmas Day to the Raiders, and the Chiefs completed with a file of 11-6 whereas profitable the AFC West.
“It is tradition, man,” Mahomes mentioned of the Chiefs believing they may recover from the hump. “I bought introduced into this tradition. Alex Smith was main the group. They’d the items in place and Coach Reid has been the last word chief and I bought introduced in and I simply attempting to exemplify that, and he retains pushing to be even higher.
“He brings out the most effective in me as a result of he lets me be me. I believe that is essential. He isn’t attempting to make me anybody else. I do not assume I am the quarterback that I’m if I did not have Coach Reid as my coach. He desires you to be the most effective individual you will be.”
And whereas Mahomes has three wins within the Tremendous Bowl, he has trailed by double digits in all three video games — 20-10 to the 49ers within the fourth quarter 4 years in the past, 24-14 towards the Philadelphia Eagles within the third quarter final 12 months and 10-0 towards San Francisco within the second quarter Sunday.
“I will attempt to cease getting down 10 factors in these video games to make them a bit of bit simpler,” Mahomes mentioned, laughing. “However I used to be pleased with how the fellows fought.”