Super Bowl - NFL: Patrick Mahomes and the healing of the Kansas City Chiefs

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Hobbled off late in the first half but came back even better: Patrick Mahomes

Photo:

Ashley Landis/AP

Game I scene:

With just over a minute and a half to play in the first half, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was stopped with a spirited leg grab by Eagles defenseman TJ Edwards during a run through the middle.

Mahomes twisted his right ankle.

That's where he injured himself so badly on January 21 in the playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars that he practically had to finish the game on one leg.

Before the Super Bowl, one of the big questions was whether Mahomes was really fit.

Now he hobbled off the field and into the cabin.

The Eagles scored a field goal with the last action before the break and extended their lead to ten points.

And Chiefs fans wondered how their team would stand a chance if the superstar was injured.

Scene of the game II:

At the beginning of the second half, Mahomes ran onto the field as if nothing had happened.

Whatever the Chiefs' coaching staff did to him, it worked.

The regular-season MVP was also voted Super Bowl MVP.

The result:

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38:35 (7:7, 14:24, 21:27).

Here is the match report.

History:

Super Bowl LVII made history in several ways.

For the first time, two black quarterbacks faced each other.

For the first time, the squadron, which traditionally thunders over the stadium after the national anthem, was flown exclusively by women.

And for the first time, two brothers met head-to-head in Jason and Travis Kelce for the championship.

Mama Kelce is proud of her boys - and watched the game in a two-piece outfit, sewn together from the jerseys of the two.

First Quarter:

In the past, many Super Bowls have not lived up to the high expectations placed on them.

This one was different.

The two most offensive teams in the NFL showed from the start what they do best: points, points, points.

Jalen Hurts led the Eagles into the end zone with first possession, and Mahomes immediately responded with a pass to Travis Kelce.

A touchdown on each side - and there were only eight minutes played.

The Chiefs could have taken the lead late in the first quarter, but kicker Harrison Butker hit the left post on a field goal attempt.

Difficult surface:

The turf in Glendale, Arizona stadium visibly bothered both teams.

Many players slipped and changed shoes in between.

The NFL had made every effort to prepare a perfect base.

Those responsible are said to have spent 800,000 US dollars in two years of planning for the supposedly best possible playing field.

Maybe the 94-year-old George Toma, who has been responsible for the lawn at every Super Bowl so far, is getting on in years.

Second Quarter:

The Eagles regained the lead after a beautiful long pass from Hurts to AJ Brown.

When they regained possession shortly thereafter, the game seemed to tip in their direction.

But then Hurts made one of his few mistakes.

He lost the ball and allowed the Chiefs defense to equalize.

But Hurts didn't let that unsettle him and instead scored his second touchdown.

Then Mahomes got injured, and Philadelphia took the aforementioned ten-point lead into the break.

(No) surprise guest:

Rihanna's halftime show was eagerly awaited.

Not only that the music superstar last performed live in 2018.

The halftime show has repeatedly served as a surprise guest in the past.

Artists like Drake and Jay-Z were traded this year.

In the end it was: nobody.

So almost nobody, because Rihanna presented something obvious in her red tracksuit, latex and balloon suit: a little tummy.

After the show, a spokesman confirmed what users on social media had already speculated: Rihanna is pregnant and expecting her second child.

Third quarter:

Those who had already processed Rihanna's show after the break threw worried looks in the direction of Mahomes.

What's a quarterback worth who can't walk?

The question only came up briefly, though: Mahomes sprinted (not round, admittedly, but still) for a new first try.

In the end, rookie Isaha Pacheco, who has been strong all season, completed the drive with a run into the end zone.

Mahomes was fit, the offensive worked - and the Eagles could only respond with a field goal.

There's a lot of talk about momentum in football.

In those moments, things turned in the Chiefs' favor.

Like the way it Hurts:

However, this game cannot be told without Jalen Hurts just for the point totals alone.

The Eagles quarterback threw and ran like crazy and was perhaps a little too much on his own on an offensive that otherwise oozed with power.

This is also reflected in his numbers: With 304 yards thrown, he clearly surpassed Mahomes (182).

His three touchdowns he ran himself are also a Super Bowl record for a quarterback.

Fourth Quarter:

The unsung star of this Super Bowl was Andy Reid.

The Chiefs coach is known for his offbeat plays, twice catching the Eagles wrong-footed in the last quarter.

With almost the same trick: the pass receiver started on the outside, faked a run into the middle and then switched back in the other direction.

First Kadarius Toney was completely free, then Skyy Moore.

Apparently, Reid had spotted a weakness in the otherwise outstanding Eagles defense.

And knew how to use it at the right moment.

The Eagles equalized again, but time was on the Chiefs' side in the end.

The next Brady?

Upon accepting the well-deserved Most Valuable Player award, Mahomes was asked if, after three Super Bowl appearances and two wins in four years, he felt the Chiefs were already a dynasty.

His answer should make many people in the NFL cringe: "I wouldn't say that because we're not done yet." As a reminder, Mahomes is 27 years old.

The newly retired Tom Brady was 26 when he won a Super Bowl for the second time.

And we know how his path continued.