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Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs claimed their second Super Bowl in four years after a tight battle against the Philadelphia Eagles. A field goal by the Chiefs with 8 seconds left capped a gripping comeback from a 10 point halftime deficit.
Mahomes laid claim to Super Bowl MVP with a masterful second half, in an entertaining duel with an equally impressive Jalen Hurts of the Eagles.
As is always the case with the big game, there were a multitude of side stories regarding factors that tipped the scales one way or another. One was a universal complaint that loose and mushy sod had players slipping all night long. Some claimed that the Eagles were never able to find their footing in order to exert the kind of pass rush and pressure they had been known for all season. Thus, Mahomes found more time to work his magic than he would have otherwise. This argument of course loses some weight when considering the Chiefs had their own challenges navigating the same swampy field.
Perhaps the biggest complaint was a questionable call with 1:54 remaining in the game. The Chiefs had driven inside the twenty yard line, and on a third-and-long play threw the ball incomplete. A somewhat late flag was thrown for defensive holding, resulting in a 5 yard penalty and more importantly a first down. Instead of 4th down and a probable field goal that would have left plenty of time on the clock for a potential scoring drive for the Eagles, the Chiefs had a new set of downs and ultimately the game in hand. For most viewers, the hold/hook seemed minimal, and Mahomes' pass was uncatchable with or without contact. It was a significant call that determined the end of the game, but as most coaches worth a salt will properly tell you, you never lose a game on single play.
The Eagles lost the second half due to outstanding adjustments by the Kansas City Chiefs, particularly on offense. Utilizing a dizzying array of motion and misdirection, the Chiefs had one of the NFL's best defenses on their heels for the final 30 minutes of the game. The Chiefs' final two touchdowns were so well executed (made more effective by overreaction by the Eagles D due to earlier plays), that the receivers caught passes with no defender within 10 yards. Employing effective in-game adjustments is one of the hardest things to pull off in sports, but the Chiefs coaching staff expertly succeed in this and clearly earned their playoff bonuses in the victory.
Ironically, three years ago, it was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who outcoached the Chiefs in their 31-9 victory. This time Andy Reid and his staff found ways to push the balance in their favor.

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