1) Patrick Mahomes creates magic as Chiefs defeat 49ers in overtime thriller. With the game on the line, there’s no one you’d rather have on the field than the Magic Man, Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs’ offense started slowly, as it has for most of the 2023 season, scoring three points on a red zone fumble in the first half. Then Mahomes found Travis Kelce, ate up a 49ers defense without Dre Greenlaw across the middle, and marched up and down the field. A couple red zone stalling showcased an offense that has been struggling for a year and lacked a big-play presence. However, Mahomes led a game-tying field goal drive, forcing the second overtime Super Bowl in NFL history. Then, with the Chiefs behind by three points in overtime, he received the ball back and drove them down the field. On fourth-and-1, Mahomes scrambled for a first down with his legs and his arm. When Niners defensive coordinator Steve Wilks ventured to use the blitz in a vital place, the quarterback did what he usually does: ate it up, hitting Rashee Rice for a huge third down. Another Mahomes scramble landed the Chiefs on their doorstep. The quarterback kicked it down and found a wide-open Mecole Hardman for the game-winning three-yard touchdown. All season, Mahomes has worked wonders with an up-and-down pass-catching unit. He accomplished it again on the largest stage. Greatness embodied. The dynasty is entrenched.
2) Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers fall up short once again. Shanahan once again witnessed Mahomes overcome a 10-point deficit in the Super Bowl. Credit the coach for not giving up, going for it on a critical fourth-and-3 early in the fourth quarter when a chip-shot field goal would have knotted the game. The choice demonstrated that Shanny understood they needed touchdowns, not field goals, against Mahomes. The coach pulled out all the brakes, including a spectacular trick play touchdown throw from receiver Jauan Jennings in the first half. Unfortunately, an OT FG from within the 10 set the stage for Mahomes’ heroics. The Niners will beat themselves up during the summer for not putting the game away early. San Francisco hammered the Chiefs defense in the first quarter, with gains of 18 yards, 11 yards, and 11 yards on the first possession, but a Christian McCaffrey fumble (just his third loss of the season) ended the drive. Despite controlling possession early in the game, the Niners lead by seven at halftime. Shanahan’s offense struggled to start the third quarter, going three and out on three straight drives. A muffed punt in the third quarter led up the Chiefs’ first touchdown and lead. Instead of a large lead, the Niners were scrambling. Later, a blocked PAT proved to be massively late. Brock Purdy deserves credit for making plays in the fourth quarter after a roller-coaster game in which he missed a couple passes but also making some fantastic reads. The 49ers’ last three possessions were TD, FG, and FG. Unfortunately for Shanahan, his defense was unable to stop Mahomes, enabling the Chiefs to score TD, FG, FG, and TD. The NFL has witnessed two overtime Super Bowl games, and Shanahan has lost both. Brutal.
Kevin Patra will be featured in more NFL stories soon.
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