The 54th edition of the Super Bowl was jam packed with everything from funny commercials to a high energy halftime show. But the main showcase was on the field between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, who won their respective conferences, and battled all the way to the finish in the World’s biggest game. After much back and forth, the Chiefs came back late in the game and won 31-20, securing the Lombardi Trophy. 

Every game that the Chiefs had played in the playoffs, they were down by at least 10 points at one point, yet they came back each time and won the game. The 49ers however, had won each of their two playoff games prior to the Super Bowl by 17, never leaving much of an opportunity for their opponents to come back. 

It was starting to look that way for them yet again in the fourth quarter last night. With just 10 minutes left in the game, 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan and his team had a two possession lead. All night long, the 49ers had great pass rushing and forced two interceptions from Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a sight rarely seen from him. The 49ers defense sacked Mahomes four times and it was starting to look like the 49ers might run away with the game. 

Just when they needed a spark, Chiefs’ Head Coach Andy Reid and his explosive offense provided that spark. With only six minutes left, and down 20-10, Patrick Mahomes connected to his Pro Bowl tight end, Travis Kelce, for a short one-yard touchdown. That cut the lead to 20-17. The Chiefs needed another stop on defense and another score to either tie or win the game. 

The Chiefs pressured 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo into two incomplete passes and the Chiefs forced a punt with five minutes left. But the Chiefs just accomplished part one of their comeback. They needed to at least score a field goal to tie the game. 

The next drive would be just what the doctor ordered for Kansas City. The Chiefs picked up a quick first down and then one play later, Patrick Mahomes aired out a huge throw to wide receiver Sammy Watkins for a gain of 40 yards. The Chiefs were knocking on the door of victory, and just two minutes after the drive started, Mahomes threw another touchdown to Damien Williams. The Chiefs had the lead for the first time since the second quarter. The seven play, 65 yard drive, consisted of all passes and all snaps were taken in the shotgun. 

The 49ers were stuck in a drought at the wrong time. The 49ers, who were now all of the sudden down by four points with 2:39 to go in the game, needed a touchdown. Nothing else would do. The first few plays on their drive looked promising, but after gaining 27 yards, Garoppolo was unable to connect with his receivers and was stuck in an all-or-nothing fourth down situation. 

Garoppolo, lined up in the shotgun formation, dropped back looking for at least 10 yards to keep the drive and their championship hopes alive. As he was scanning the field, the pocket collapsed and in an instant, was swarmed by Kansas City defenders. He attempted to scramble to try and buy some time, but it was too late, he was sacked and the Chiefs by rule took over and scored once again to put the game out of reach. 

The Chiefs picked up their first Championship in 50 years, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes was crowned the Super Bowl MVP. The 49ers and the Chiefs are still the front runners in early next season’s NFL power rankings.