NEW ORLEANS — The Philadelphia Eagles triumphed over the Kansas City Chiefs with a score of 40-22 during the Super Bowl, a highly-anticipated event marking the first of its kind in New Orleans in 12 years. The match took place under stringent security measures, with President Donald Trump in attendance, just over a month after a tragic incident saw a truck crash into New Year’s revelers on Bourbon Street.
The game began with several notable tributes and exciting plays that added to the significance of the evening. The Eagles celebrated their second Super Bowl championship, thwarting the Chiefs’ ambitions for a historic three consecutive Super Bowl wins. Quarterback Jalen Hurts initiated the scoring with a well-known Philadelphia play, driving into the end zone from a yard out in the first quarter. The Eagles’ rookie defensive back, Cooper DeJean, launched an electrifying 38-yard interception return for a touchdown, followed by Hurts connecting with A.J. Brown for a 12-yard touchdown pass, which gave Philadelphia an astonishing 24-0 halftime advantage.
The Eagles continued to dominate, extending their lead to 34-0 in the third quarter with Hurts finding DeVonta Smith on a 46-yard touchdown throw. By this point, Kansas City had yet to score, leaving their players struggling to find their rhythm in a game that had turned into a one-sided affair. “We were here to play the game and make sure that green confetti fell at the end,” noted Brown, emphasizing the team’s determined mindset. While most of the Chiefs’ points came after the game was largely decided, quarterback Patrick Mahomes managed to finish with 257 yards and three touchdowns, lifting his statistics after a challenging first half.
Defensively, the Eagles were exceptional, limiting Mahomes to just six completions out of 14 attempts for 33 yards in the initial half. They became the first team in NFL history to sack Mahomes three times and intercept him twice within the first half of any game, whether regular season or playoffs. DeJean’s interception return pushed the score to 17-0, and later, veteran linebacker Zach Baun made a critical interception at the Kansas City 14-yard line, leading to another Eagles touchdown.
Philadelphia’s defense pressured Mahomes effectively throughout the match, achieving a total of six sacks — a personal worst for the Chiefs’ quarterback during his NFL career. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio stated, “We didn’t pressure much… I was hoping we could play the game without having to pressure much — and that happened.”
In addition, Saquon Barkley, recognized as the AP Offensive Player of the Year, solidified his remarkable season by breaking the NFL single-season rushing record for running backs. Entering the Super Bowl, he needed just 30 yards to surpass Terrell Davis’ previous record of 2,476 yards set in 1998. Barkley tallied 31 rushing yards by halftime and ended the game with a total of 57 yards, bringing his season total to 2,504 yards across 20 games, eclipsing Davis’ record which was achieved in 18 games.
President Trump notably became the first sitting US president to attend a Super Bowl, mingling briefly on the field before moving to his suite to enjoy the game alongside others, including the owner of the Saints and some lawmakers. Entering from a tunnel by the Chiefs’ end zone, Trump interacted with first responders and victims of the recent Bourbon Street attack, receiving a mixed reception of cheers and boos from the audience. He departed after halftime but not before capturing a photo with Mahomes’ family.
The halftime show featured a standout performance by Kendrick Lamar, opened by actor Samuel L. Jackson in a patriotic outfit, atop a vehicle inspired by his album “GNX.” Accompanied by vibrant dancers in red, white, and blue, Lamar captivated the audience with hits like “Humble,” and later collaborated with SZA on their emotional song “Luther.” He concluded his segment with “Not Like Us,” a Grammy-winning track that showcases his rivalry with fellow artist Drake, who is currently involved in a legal issue with Universal Music Group.
The excitement of the Super Bowl coincided with New Orleans’ Carnival season, which was heightened by a week of joyous events celebrating the occasion. The NFL Honors event celebrated standout players, including Josh Allen recognized as the AP NFL Most Valuable Player and Kevin O’Connell named Coach of the Year. Among the highlights from the event was the unexpected appearance of coach Bill Belichick, who turned heads walking the red carpet with a significantly younger companion.
Numerous parties filled the city, and popular venues were rented out to accommodate Super Bowl visitors. Despite a bolstered police presence, crowds flocked to the iconic French Quarter, reveling in the festivities.
Pregame performances showcased various talented artists from Louisiana, including Harry Connick Jr., who honored the culture with a rendition of “Go to the Mardi Gras,” while Terence Blanchard joined Southern University’s band for a unique performance. Trombone Shorty harmonized with singer Lauren Daigle on “America the Beautiful,” and Jon Batiste performed the national anthem at midfield.
Before the coin toss, a somber moment occurred as New Orleans Saints’ Cameron Jordan introduced first responders from the January 1 incident, each holding a photo of one of the 14 victims. Family members of two victims served as honorary captains, with Jordan delivering a heartfelt message: “Together, we rise. Together, we heal. Together we will carry your memory with us forever.”
