Super Bowl LIV is officially over and so is the NFL’s 100th season. This year the Kansas City Chiefs are the Super Bowl champions. It was a great defensive game for the 49ers, who intercepted Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes twice, but that wasn’t enough for the win.
The 49ers’ defense started strong. Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense had been electric all season long and were coming off two huge comeback wins in the playoffs. Nick Bosa, a Miami native and NFL defensive rookie of the year, was on fire all night. He had five tackles, a sack and a pass deflection, showing that, even though he’s a rookie, he will be dominant in the NFL for years to come. However, as the game went on, the 49ers’ defense slowed down.
The Niners did have their moments in the game, when things looked rough for the Chiefs. At the end of the first half, it was tied 10-10. After an offensive pass interference was called on 49ers’ tight end George Kittle, the game seemed in reach for the Chiefs. Even after going down 20-10, Mahomes threw a dime to a wide-open Tyreek Hill for 44 yards. Next a defensive pass interference was called, which set up a touchdown pass to Travis Kelce. That made it 20-17 towards the end of the game.
The 49ers had the Chiefs exactly where they wanted them going up 20-10, but couldn’t finish the job. While it seemed Mahomes was having his own bad game, his electric play and leadership led K.C. to victory. With just 2:44 left, former Dolphins running back Damien Williams caught a pass from Mahomes and by mere inches got the touchdown. It was a game-changer for the Chiefs.
With time left for the 49ers to potentially come back and win it all, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo missed a wide-open Emmanuel Sanders and later on fourth and ten, got sacked. Two plays later, Williams rushed for a touchdown and secured the win for the Chiefs. It was their first Super Bowl win in 50 years, since Super Bowl IV. It was also the first Super Bowl win for Andy Reid and his 222nd overall win.
It was a great game. It looked like Kyle Shannahan and the 49ers would cruise to victory. Instead, the Chiefs made the plays they needed and the offensive power of Mahomes was just too much. While it looked like he was having his Marino moment, he flipped the script and took home his first Super Bowl ring. What looks like the first of many.
It also won’t be the last time we see the 49ers in the Super Bowl. Their defense is young and they have an electric head coach. The fans will be upset today and it will hurt for a while, but they can look toward a bright future.
Congratulations to the Chiefs, every player and coach on the team, and their fans. The team needed comebacks in all three of their playoff games and they delivered. Now, it’s time for the off-season and a look towards the NFL Combine on Feb. 27.