Three-Peat Thwarted: What Went Wrong for the Chiefs in Their Super Bowl LIX Loss?
The Kansas City Chiefs entered Super Bowl LIX with history on their minds, aiming to become the first team in the Super Bowl era to achieve a three-peat. However, their quest was emphatically denied by a dominant Philadelphia Eagles team, who secured a 40-22 victory. The loss exposed several critical weaknesses within the Chiefs, leading to a performance that fell far short of expectations. Let’s dissect what went wrong for the Chiefs in their Super Bowl LIX defeat.
Offensive Line Overwhelmed
Coaches often emphasize that success in the NFL begins in the trenches, and Super Bowl LIX was a stark reminder of this principle. The Eagles’ defensive front dominated the Chiefs’ offensive line from the outset, disrupting their rhythm and preventing Patrick Mahomes from operating effectively. Philadelphia’s defensive line imposed its will without needing extra blitzers. The Eagles registered six sacks, consistently collapsing the pocket before Mahomes could set his feet. With Left Guard Joe Thuney playing out of position at tackle and backup Mike Caliendo filling in, the Chiefs had no answer for Philadelphia’s pass rush.
According to Chiefs center Creed Humphrey, the team was prepared for the Eagles’ defensive schemes, but they were simply unable to execute. Josh Sweat of the Eagles generated a team-high six pressures, including 2.5 sacks, consistently beating his matchups. Mahomes was sacked six times in the game, the most he’s ever been taken to the ground during his career in a game — regular or postseason.
Mahomes Proves Human
Even with struggles on the offensive line, Patrick Mahomes shoulders some of the blame for the Chiefs’ offensive woes. The three-time Super Bowl winner had one of his worst performances, committing three turnovers, including a pick-six to Cooper DeJean. Early pressures and a variety of coverages made Mahomes incredibly hesitant, removing his pre-snap reads and speeding up his clock. He threw a number of inaccurate passes — some while under pressure, some while free from it — never settled in and made a couple of awful decisions resulting in interceptions.
Mahomes himself acknowledged his shortcomings, stating, “We didn’t start how we wanted to. The turnovers hurt. I take all the blame for that.” He finished the game with 257 passing yards and three touchdowns, but a significant portion of that production came in garbage time when the game was already out of reach.
Defensive Game Plan Falls Apart
While the offense struggled mightily, the Chiefs’ defense also failed to contain the Eagles’ offense, particularly Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. Hurts completed 17 of 22 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns, adding 72 rushing yards and another score to earn Super Bowl MVP honors.
The Chiefs’ defensive game plan seemed focused on stopping Barkley at all costs, but this strategy allowed Hurts to exploit the defense through the air and on the ground. While Spagnuolo’s plan to stop Barkley was working, the Chiefs defensive coordinator could not legislate for his side’s ineffective offense, whose errors meant that Philadelphia could control the clock, allowing Barkley to grind out more yards, but also set up the play action, which led to the 46-yard pass DeVonta Smith that put the Eagles 34-0 up late in the third quarter.
Lack of a Rushing Attack
The Chiefs’ inability to establish a consistent rushing attack further compounded their offensive problems. They passed the ball almost three times more than they ran it, attempting 32 passes and just 11 rushes. Kareem Hunt had nine rushing yards, and Isiah Pacheco had seven. Mahomes, known for his scrambling ability, led the Chiefs on the ground with 25 yards.
The absence of a reliable running game made the Chiefs’ offense one-dimensional and predictable, allowing the Eagles’ defense to focus on containing the passing attack.
Coaching Adjustments Too Late
As the game slipped away, the Chiefs’ coaching staff struggled to make effective adjustments. The Eagles’ defensive schemes and offensive execution left Andy Reid and his staff searching for answers that never materialized until the game was far out of reach.
The offensive line was overmatched, Mahomes was forced into mistakes, and the defense made too many mistakes and gave up the chunk plays. Coaching adjustments never came, and by the time Kansas City found its footing, the game was already out of hand.
Offseason Priorities
Following their Super Bowl LIX loss, the Chiefs face several critical questions and roster needs heading into the offseason. General manager Brett Veach must address the offensive line, find more reliable receiving options, and bolster the defense.
Some key offseason priorities for the Chiefs include:
- Offensive Line: Finding a permanent solution at left tackle and improving overall pass protection is paramount.
- Wide Receiver: Rebuilding the downfield passing attack and finding a reliable target for Mahomes.
- Defensive Depth: Strengthening the defensive line and secondary to improve overall defensive performance.
Final Thoughts
The Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIX loss was a comprehensive failure, exposing weaknesses in their offensive line, quarterback play, defensive strategy, and coaching adjustments. While the defeat was undoubtedly painful, it also provides an opportunity for the Chiefs to learn from their mistakes and address their roster needs in the offseason. The Chiefs have shown the ability to be able to rebound from embarrassing losses just as about as good as anyone, but this one definitely felt different. With Patrick Mahomes still at the helm, the Chiefs remain a Super Bowl contender, but they must address their shortcomings to return to the pinnacle of the NFL.