Super Bowl LVIII

By Jessica Coyle and Gianna Ruzzi, Staff Writer (2024) 

Image Courtesy of CBS Sports 

Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas saw the Kansas City Chiefs overcome a 10-point deficit to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime. The Kansas City Chiefs are now the first team to win back-to-back titles in the Super Bowl in 20 years.  Super Bowl LVIII unfolded as a captivating rematch of the 2020 Super Bowl LIV, with the Kansas City Chiefs seeking to defend their title against the San Francisco 49ers. 

The Niners initially took the lead, with a 55-yard field goal from kicker Jake Moody setting a brief record for the longest field goal in Super Bowl history. A double-pass trick play extended the Niners' lead to 10-0, highlighting the versatility of their offensive playbook. However, turnovers became a pivotal aspect of the game, with both teams struggling to keep the ball in their hands. The Chiefs finally got on the board with a 28-yard field goal before halftime, but the game continued to be marked by fumbles and interceptions, keeping the outcome uncertain. Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker emerged as a key player, breaking Moody's record with a 57-yard field goal. The game saw lead changes, missed opportunities, and dramatic moments, with Mahomes connecting with Marquez Valdes-Scantling to take a 13-10 lead. The Niners responded, but a missed extra point left them with a slim 16-13 lead. Butler's timely field goals, including a kick that tied the game with seconds left, pushed the game into overtime. 

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Mahomes arranged a drive in overtime, connecting with Mecole Hardman on a one-yard touchdown pass. With this, the Kansas City Chiefs secured their third Super Bowl victory in the past five seasons. Two of these wins being back-to-back. 

Kansas City Chiefs Background:

Originally established in 1960 as the Dallas Texans, the team changed its name to the Chiefs in 1963 after moving to Kansas City. Under the direction of the late great head coach Hank Stram, the Chiefs rose to prominence in the 1960s, winning Super Bowl IV against the Minnesota Vikings in 1970 in a historic triumph. In the 21st century, the Chiefs experienced a resurgence led by head coach Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, a quarterback with a lot of talent. 

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San Francisco 49ers Background:

In 1946, the San Francisco 49ers made their debut as members of the All-American Football Conference. However, the NFL and the All-American Football Conference combined in 1949. The 49ers were victorious in their first four seasons in the AAFC, but they were unable to overcome the Cleveland Browns, who had been the AAFC champion for four years in a row.The 49ers had a difficult first season following their merger with the NFL, which finally caused them to go on a losing run the entire season. Due to an injury that halted Jimmy Garoppolo's 2022 season, the 49ers were able to advance to the NFC championship under the leadership of Brock Purdy, who was the last pick  in the NFL 2022 draft. Purdy also assisted in leading the 49ers to a 12-5 record and their third consecutive NFC title in the 2023 season.After defeating the Detroit Lions, the 49ers advanced to face the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Ultimately the 49ers ended up losing to the Kansas City Chiefs during the super bowl in overtime with a score of 25-22. 

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