Super Bowl LIX Fallout: Did the Eagles Expose a Fatal Flaw in Mahomes?

The confetti has settled in New Orleans, and the Philadelphia Eagles are celebrating their dominant 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. While the Eagles’ triumph is a story of defensive mastery and offensive efficiency, the game’s aftermath has sparked a burning question: Did the Eagles expose a fatal flaw in Patrick Mahomes, a weakness that future opponents can exploit?

The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs fell short of their ultimate goal of winning three straight titles, losing 40-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59. The Chiefs had no answer for the Eagles, who were on a mission on both sides of the ball and made life tough for Kansas City superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes was under constant pressure from the Eagles’ defensive line as he was sacked six times. The superstar quarterback tossed three touchdowns and two interceptions in the shocking Super Bowl loss. One of those interceptions was returned for a touchdown by Eagles rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean. It wasn’t one of Mahomes’ best performances, as the Eagles’ defense made sure he did not have time in the pocket to find his receivers.

The Fangio Effect: A Defensive Masterclass

Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, known for his intricate and adaptable schemes, crafted a game plan that flustered Mahomes like never before. Fangio, in his four decades of coaching, waited a long time for a moment like Sunday, and the lopsided score allowed him to savor the second half and enjoy that first elusive championship after waiting so long. “It’s a great feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment,” he said. The Eagles’ defense this season never failed 66-year-old defensive mastermind Vic Fangio. And the defense was never as great as it was in the Super Bowl.

The cornerstone of Fangio’s strategy was generating pressure with a consistent four-man rush, negating the need for blitzes. This allowed the Eagles to drop extra defenders into coverage, suffocating Mahomes’s passing lanes and forcing him into uncomfortable throws. According to DAZN, Philadelphia’s pressure rate was a staggering 52 percent, and they did that without having to blitz once. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio had such faith in his defensive line’s ability to bully the Chiefs in pass protection that he was able to deploy just four rushers while keeping his secondary back in coverage. This means Mahomes was constantly hurried while also rarely having open receivers downfield.

The Eagles’ defensive line, featuring standouts like Josh Sweat, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Milton Williams, relentlessly harassed Mahomes, sacking him six times – a career-high for the young quarterback. DeJean, Baun, Josh Sweat and Milton Williams anchored a championship defense that smothered a dynasty and sacked Mahomes a whopping six times, the most by any defense ever against the two-time NFL MVP.

Mahomes Under Pressure: Cracks in the Armor?

Mahomes, celebrated for his improvisational skills and ability to make plays under duress, appeared uncharacteristically rattled by the Eagles’ relentless pressure. He completed 21 of 32 passes for 257 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also led the Chiefs in rushing, with 25 yards on four carries.

His discomfort was evident in several key moments:

The Pick-Six: Rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean intercepted a Mahomes pass intended for DeAndre Hopkins and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown, extending the Eagles’ lead and swinging the game’s momentum.
The Interception Before Halftime: Linebacker Zack Baun made a diving interception of Mahomes at the Kansas City 12. That set up an easy touchdown and a 24-0 lead just before halftime.
Constant Harassment: Mahomes was under pressure on more than half of his drop backs, was sacked six times and never seemed comfortable in the pocket. It was a shocking display given that the Eagles did not run a single blitz all night, and consistently relied on a four-man pass rush.

These plays highlighted a potential vulnerability: Mahomes’s struggles when facing consistent pressure without the opportunity to exploit blitz-induced openings.

The Offensive Line’s Failure: A Recurring Nightmare

While Fangio’s scheme and Mahomes’s performance are under scrutiny, the Chiefs’ offensive line’s struggles cannot be ignored. The Eagles’ front four dominated the line of scrimmage, consistently disrupting pass protection and hindering the running game.

The Chiefs’ offensive line was reminiscent of their disastrous performance in the Super Bowl against the Buccaneers. However, there was more to the story. For most of the season, the Chiefs’ offensive line was solid, but there was a glaring weakness at left tackle. Kansas City started the season with rookie Kingsley Suamataia at the position, followed by second-year player Wanya Morris. Both struggled, prompting the Chiefs to sign former Pro Bowler D.J. Humphries to protect Patrick Mahomes’ blindside. Unfortunately, even Humphries faltered before succumbing to injury, leading Andy Reid to shuffle the line. All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney moved to left tackle, where he performed admirably, while Mike Caliendo stepped in as left guard.

The interior of the line, anchored by Creed Humphrey, held its own, but the edges struggled to contain the Eagles’ relentless pass rush. This forced Mahomes to make quick decisions, often leading to errant throws or sacks.

The Lack of a Running Game: A One-Dimensional Offense

The Chiefs’ inability to establish a consistent running game further compounded their offensive woes. Kareem Hunt had just three carries for nine yards, and Isiah Pacheco was limited to seven yards on the same number of carries. Mahomes, known for his scrambling ability, led the Chiefs on the ground with 25 yards. The Eagles’ defense was able to focus on the pass because there was no threat of the run game. The Chiefs fell behind so early that there was little time to establish a ground attack, but even when they tried, Hunt and Pacheco weren’t the same players they once were before injuries, and the offensive line wasn’t able to create running lanes.

With the Eagles effectively shutting down both the pass and the run, the Chiefs’ offense became predictable and one-dimensional, allowing the Philadelphia defense to dictate the game.

Is This a Blueprint for Future Opponents?

The Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX victory raises a critical question: Did they provide a blueprint for how to defend Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ high-powered offense?

Several factors suggest this might be the case:

Prioritizing Consistent Pressure: Generating pressure with four rushers, rather than relying on blitzes, forces Mahomes to make quick decisions without clear passing lanes.
Suffocating the Short Game: Disrupting the short passing game eliminates Mahomes’s safety valves and forces him to hold the ball longer, increasing the likelihood of sacks or turnovers.
Neutralizing Travis Kelce: Double-teaming or bracketing Travis Kelce, Mahomes’s favorite target, limits his impact and forces the quarterback to look elsewhere.
Committing to the Run: A consistent running game keeps the defense honest, preventing them from solely focusing on the pass and opening up opportunities for Mahomes downfield.

The Road Ahead for Mahomes and the Chiefs

While the Eagles’ defensive strategy proved successful in Super Bowl LIX, it’s premature to declare that Mahomes has a fatal flaw. He is a supremely talented and adaptable quarterback who has consistently defied expectations throughout his career.

However, the Chiefs must address the issues exposed in this game to ensure their continued success:

Rebuilding the Offensive Line: Investing in talented and versatile offensive linemen is crucial to providing Mahomes with consistent protection and opening up running lanes.
Developing a Reliable Running Game: Finding a dynamic running back and committing to the ground game will force defenses to respect the run, creating more opportunities for Mahomes in the passing game.
Adapting to Defensive Strategies: Mahomes and the coaching staff must develop counters to the defensive strategies that prioritize consistent pressure and suffocate the short passing game.

The loss in Super Bowl LIX serves as a wake-up call for Mahomes and the Chiefs. While the Eagles’ defensive performance was exceptional, it also highlighted areas where the Chiefs can improve and evolve. Whether this game exposed a fatal flaw or simply provided a valuable learning experience remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: the NFL world will be watching closely to see how Mahomes and the Chiefs respond to this challenge.