Something like a dynasty

Only the great can stand up in important moments. This is the difference between the exceptional and the ordinary. Between the historical and the anecdotal.

Patrick Mahomes is now one of the greatest. He is in a class of his own. Not only because he doesn’t do things like anyone before him, but also because he is the catalyst for a team that increasingly takes on the appearance of a dynasty, by virtue of the 38-35 victory. of the Kansas City Chiefs against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in the Super Bowl.

We have a strong tendency to praise the neglected. It’s instinctive. To favor and encourage the diminished. It creates better stories. That’s why we all line up behind Cinderella rather than Prince Charming. However, we should start looking into it.

Everyone revels in the stories of those who shouldn’t win. But what about those who couldn’t lose?

John F. Kennedy defined courage as the ability to be “graceful under pressure.” In such a case, Patrick Mahomes was highly courageous.

Last season’s MVP was driving the league’s most productive offense. He was backed by one of the best tight ends in history. He was guided by one of the greatest coaches. He had to shine.

The pressure, she was on him. The man with 450 million dollars. At the helm of a finalist team for the third time in four seasons.

Mahomes wasn’t just gracious. It has been efficient, resilient and, ultimately, up to the task. “He’s the most valuable player in the league. That’s all there is to it,” head coach Andy Reid said after the game.

Despite trailing 10 points at halftime, aggravating an ankle injury and playing a historic counterpart, the Chiefs quarterback can give his city a second parade.

The Eagles’ dominance was such that the Chiefs offense was on the field almost 12 minutes less. At halftime, the gap was even more monstrous. Philadelphia led by more than double in plays, yards and time of possession.

Mahomes had little time, but he made gold out of salt. He took advantage of every second offered to him. The 27-year-old finished the game with 3 touchdowns, 182 passing yards, 21 of 27 passes and the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player trophy. His 26-yard run late in the fourth quarter, the longest of the night for the Chiefs, was key. It became only the 13^e quarter of history to win more than one title.

It was after half-time that the machine started. And like a true captain, Mahomes had to trust his entire crew to get to their destination. “It wasn’t just one person. Everyone said we had to play better. The defense split the ass. I thank everyone. »

Linebacker Nick Bolton recovered a 36-yard fumble into the end zone in the second quarter to keep hope alive. In the fourth quarter, Kadarius Toney made a name for himself by scoring the touchdown giving the Chiefs the lead for the first time in the game. Two minutes later, he made a kick return from 65 yards, taking advantage of a gap on the right, to install the whites in offensive territory. “I anticipated the race like any race, he explained after the meeting. I just wanted to do my job. I saw the opening and I went for it. I don’t realize it yet. »

That play led to Skyy Moore’s touchdown on a four-yard pass from Mahomes, his third of the game, to give the eventual winners a 35-27 lead.

Jalen Hurts managed not only to come up the field, but also to register his third rushing touchdown, a record for a quarterback in the Super Bowl, and the conversion of two points allowed his team to tie.

A controversial penalty against James Bradberry for lightly holding Juju Smith-Schuster in the final moments of the match ruined the Eagles’ chances of fighting back. “It was a penalty for holding back, I pulled his jersey, admitted Bradberry. I was hoping they would let it pass. »

Mahomes put his knee to the ground to allow Harrison Butker to get his team the win with a 27-yard field goal.

Nevertheless, the Kansas City Chiefs have accomplished a huge feat. That of not disappointing. They had arguably one of the most complete rosters in the NFL. Despite the departures of Tyreek Hill and Tyrann Mathieu during the off-season, they stayed the course. It was almost madness to believe that they could still go all the way this year, with an even tougher American Association.

Mahomes, Kelce, Reid and company still won a fifth consecutive conference title. And especially another Super Bowl. “We said it all along. The next time we say we’re going to do something, listen to us, ”Kelce, who scored the first touchdown, shouted into the interviewer’s microphone, with his champions cap on his head.

Jalen Hurts leaves empty-handed

Although it was Mahomes who celebrated under the confetti at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Jalen Hurts can return to Philly with a sense of accomplishment.

In his first Super Bowl, he offered an anthology performance: 304 passing yards and 1 touchdown, in addition to 70 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns. The 24-year-old quarterback was smoking hot. He too was great, in his own way.

He proved in masterful fashion that mobile quarterbacks, who would rather run than pass, have their place on the biggest stage in the world.

The Eagles center was so in control that his coach Nick Sirianni gave him the go-ahead on fourth down and five at the Chiefs 44-yard line in the middle of the game. Hurts responded by carrying the ball 26 yards.

But Hurts has also shown he can throw. His pass to AJ Brown for 45 yards early in the second quarter, as he bowed his back Aaron Rodgers-style, would loop the news channels had the Eagles won.

DeVonta Smith was perfect in her role. He gave confidence to his quarterback early in the game. In the shadow of his opponent Travis Kelce, Dallas Goedert has been a favorite target for Hurts. The tight end made sublime catches at crucial moments.

Hurts and the Eagles nearly knocked down a monster. The best offense in the NFL finally got the better of the best defense. Even if in this confrontation, the best defense will have been the attack.

Mahomes etched his name into legend, while Hurts proved he might just be one in the making.