NEW ORLEANS — Lengthy one of many NFL’s sharpest defensive minds, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio cracked Patrick Mahomes in Tremendous Bowl LIX.
His Eagles gamers did, too, in a 40-22 blowout of the closest factor the NFL has to a dynasty because the Patriots broke up. Fangio’s line of defense battered the Chiefs’ celebrity quarterback with solely 4 go rushers, permitting his defensive backs to play, at occasions, seven-on-four. By halfway by means of the second quarter, it was an unfair battle. The Chiefs have been chasing the NFL’s first-ever Tremendous Bowl three-peat — and even negotiated with Pat Riley to make use of the phrase — however couldn’t handle three factors by halftime.
The Chiefs’ hopes have been buried halfway by means of the second quarter. Trailing 10-0, Mahomes was sacked on first down by Josh Sweat; sacked on second down by Sweat and teammate Jalyx Hunt; and threw a third-and-16 interception that Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean returned 38 yards for a landing.
Mahomes had rolled proper and tried to rifle a go to DeAndre Hopkins, who was well-covered and tumbled to the bottom. He didn’t see DeJean, the slot cornerback, taking part in zone protection beneath. He picked off the go on the numbers to Mahomes’ proper, took off throughout the sphere and ran up the alternative sideline. DeJean wasn’t touched till the three and stomped throughout the objective line.
It was the primary profession interception for the Iowa rookie. He grew to become the primary participant since 1948 to attain a Tremendous Bowl landing on his birthday. DeJean, who wore his highschool letterman’s jacket into the dome, turned 22 on Sunday.
The Chiefs may need been in acquainted territory — they’d trailed by 10 or extra in each Tremendous Bowl they went to underneath coach Andy Reid — however this felt completely different. The Chiefs have been lifeless. All that was lacking was a second line parade, full with a brass band, to march straight between the hashes at Caesars Superdome.
The Chiefs trailed 24-0 at halftime, having thrown two interceptions and managed only one first down. They didn’t cross midfield till the center of the third quarter. They didn’t rating till they have been down 34-0.
Mahomes’ remaining stat line — he went 21-for-32 with three touchdowns, two interceptions, 257 yards and a 95.4 passer score — was the results of rubbish time touchdowns within the second half. He threw a 50-yard landing to Xavier Worthy with 1:48 to play after the Eagles had performed the earlier possession with their backups on offense.
