Super Bowl 57 final score: Chiefs top Eagles 38-35 thanks to late-game magic from Mahomes
Your one-stop shop for the biggest moments and stories from the Chiefs' Super Bowl 57 triumph.
On one leg, Patrick Mahomes finished the job. His reward, other than resting an oft-injured ankle this postseason, is a second Lombardi Trophy for the reigning NFL MVP.
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in Super Bowl 57 on Sunday, the team’s second title in four seasons. A controversial holding penalty by Eagles cornerback James Bradberry gave the Chiefs a chance to run the clock down and kick a game-winning field goal with eight seconds left, which Harrison Butker nailed from 27 yards.
Mahomes finished 21 of 27 for 182 yards with three touchdowns. Kansas City scored a touchdown on its first three drives of the second half after trailing at halftime 24-14.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was 27 of 37 for 304 yards passing, but was a force on the ground. He rushed for three touchdowns (15 carries, 70 yards) and tied the game at 35 on a two-point conversion with about five minutes left.
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (six catches, 81 yards, touchdown) bested his brother, Eagles center Jason Kelce, on the game’s biggest stage, while Chiefs coach Andy Reid defeated his former team.
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Chiefs win Super Bowl 57:Patrick Mahomes and Co. capture second title in four seasons
Patrick Mahomes not the G.O.A.T. (yet) but he's breaking the NFL
This is like watching Michael Jordan in his prime. Patrick Mahomes is 27. He's on a team-friendly contract. In the five seasons he has been starter, the Chiefs have made it at least to the AFC title game. As long as Mahomes is under center, this will be the standard. He won his second Super Bowl MVP days after he won his second league MVP.
Mahomes had his right ankle injury reaggravated late in the second quarter when Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards fell on it as he dragged him to the turf. Ho hum. All Mahomes did after the injury was complete 13 of 14 passes for 93 yards and a pair of scores. As if that wasn't enough, with 2:55 left to play in a tie game, he outran the Eagles defense on a 26-yard scramble that set up the game-winning field goal.
Read Lorenzo Reyes' full analysis of Super Bowl 57's winners and losers here.
'Uncharacteristic' performance sinks Eagles: 'This one stings'
The Philadelphia Eagles had a 10-point lead as Rihanna took center stage at halftime. In the second half, though, Philadelphia’s advantage evaporated in the desert air.
The Chiefs erased a 24-14 halftime deficit by scoring 24 points in the second half, including 17 in the fourth quarter to win 38-35 in a Super Bowl 57 thriller.
“Not up to our standards. I feel like we got a little uncharacteristic on a lot of things. I got to hand it to them, they did a good job. We just didn’t come up when it mattered. We had a shot," Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat told USA TODAY Sports postgame.
Read Tyler Dragon's full piece breaking down the Eagles' thoughts on what went wrong.
Super Bowl holding call: Eagles' James Bradberry admits penalty was right call
A late Philadelphia Eagles penalty sent fans and social media into a frenzy, lamenting the referees and accusing the NFL of rigging Super Bowl 57.
But the player called for holding, cornerback James Bradberry, said afterward it was the correct call.
“It was a holding," Bradberry told reporters in the locker room after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs. "I tugged his jersey. I was hoping they would let it slide."
That didn't stop fans of the Eagles -- and ones who were neutral for the big game -- from becoming outraged when the holding call allowed the Chiefs to run out the clock Sunday and win the Super Bowl 38-35. — Chris Bumbaca
Read the what referee Carl Cheffers had to say about the play.
Are Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs the NFL's next dynasty?
Super Bowl champions for the second time in four seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs seem quite ready to begin game-planning for their next opponent.
History.
"It's a whole other feeling," said All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce after winning ring No. 2. "I wanted this one more than I ever wanted a game in my life. Biggest difference is it solidifies your greatness. You can get lucky once; (this) wasn't beginner's luck. We wanted it, we took it.
“You can call it a dynasty – you can call it whatever you want. All I know is we’re coming back next year. ... We're trying to get another one, I can tell you that right now."
Read Nate Davis' full piece on what the Chiefs have accomplished.
How many MVPs does Patrick Mahomes have?
For the second time of his career, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP.
Greg Olsen delivers in Super Bowl debut in booth
From the opening kickoff to the game’s final play, the broadcast duo of Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen sounded more like Super Bowl veterans — crisp, informative and prepared — than the rookies they were. And Olsen distinguished himself with his assessment of the most critical play of the game.
Read our full analysis of the Super Bowl 57 broadcast here.
Super Bowl 57 field conditions 'pretty slippery'
The grass used in State Farm Stadium during Super Bowl 57 took nearly two years and more than $800,000 to prepare for Sunday, but it wasn't without faults. The playing conditions were less than pretty.
Players from both the Eagles and Chiefs struggled to get traction on the natural grass and slipped many times. At least half a dozen Eagles players switched cleats during the first half in an attempt to get a better grip, including quarterback Jalen Hurts, who changed from Jordan 11 cleats to Jordan 1 cleats.
Eagles offensive lineman Jordan Mailata, who said he's "not a grass expert," described the conditions as "pretty slippery," similar to "playing on a water park." — Cydney Henderson
Highest-scoring Super Bowls
Super Bowl 57 was one of the highest-scoring Super Bowl games ever played. It was a thrilling showdown that featured numerous records either broken (longest punt return) or tied (most points scored by a player, Jalen Hurts with 20).
Here is a look at the highest-scoring Super Bowls.
'I love you': Travis and Jason Kelce hug after Super Bowl 57, embrace mom Donna
Travis Kelce was the winner of the unofficial "Kelce Bowl," as his Kansas City Chiefs defeated his brother Jason's Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 57.
But as the Chiefs celebrated their victory and Travis Kelce gave a memorable postgame interview alongside Patrick Mahomes, he made sure to see his brother following the game, as the Kelce brothers shared an embrace and briefly spoke as the confetti fell down on State Farm Stadium.
Jason Kelce can be heard congratulating Travis, even cracking a smile and telling him to "go celebrate." Before they part, both Kelce's told each other "I love you." — Jordan Mendoza
Eagles collapse in second half, costing themselves Super Bowl 57
The Super Bowl, like every other NFL game, has two halves. The Philadelphia Eagles only showed up for one of them.
After pushing the Kansas City Chiefs to the brink and hobbling Patrick Mahomes, the Eagles imploded in the second half. They were outscored, outgained, outdisciplined – outhustled – and, as a result, they're out a Lombardi Trophy.
Maybe that's harsh, given the final score was 38-35 and it took the Chiefs until the closing seconds to seal the victory. But when you have a 10-point lead, all the momentum and Mahomes barely able to run off the field at halftime, that's as close to a gimme as it gets in the NFL's biggest game.
Read Nancy Armour's full column here.
Super Bowl 57 is the Blackest, most woke Super Bowl ever
The Blackest, most woke Super Bowl ever — can’t believe I wrote that since this is the Republican NFL, but here we are — started by again featuring the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” this time performed by Sheryl Lee Ralph.
Then Rihanna performed at halftime. Despite once saying she wouldn’t perform in the Super Bowl halftime show because of the way the NFL treated Colin Kaepernick and protesting players, she was back, and make no mistake, Rihanna is one of the Blackest, proudest performers of our time.
But wait, it gets Blacker.
Singer Babyface, a generational rhythm and blues singer, sang “America the Beautiful” before the game. He’s produced dozens of R&B hits and won 12 Grammy Awards. At this point we had the Black national anthem, Rihanna performing and two Black starting quarterbacks for the first time ever. During Black History Month. This wasn’t the Super Bowl. This was Wakanda.
Read MIke Freeman's full column here.
Longest punt return in Super Bowl history
The record for the longest punt return in Super Bowl history now belongs to Kadarius Toney.
Toney broke several tackles on the punt return for a 65-yard return, making it the longest punt return in Super Bowl history.
The Chiefs then scored three plays later on a Patrick Mahomes pass to Skyy Moore.
There has never been a punt return for a touchdown in Super Bowl history, but there have been multiple kickoff return TDs. — Jordan Mendoza
How excited was Andy Reid to win the Super Bowl?
Andy Reid, immediately after winning his second Super Bowl, could not contain his excitement.
When Fox sideline reporter Tom Rinaldi asked Reid how happy he was, the Kansas City Chiefs coach responded with his typical jovial sense of humor.
“I could kiss you right now, but I’m not going to,” Reid told Rinaldi, as both laughed after the exchange.
Reid led the Chiefs to their second championship in four seasons.
Reid credited his offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy during his postgame interview.
“Eric Bienemy was tremendous down the stretch there,” Reid said, complimenting his assistant who has been passed over for head coaching jobs several times.
- Safid Deen
Jalen Hurts ties record for points in Super Bowl
The game is not over, but Jalen Hurts has tied a Super Bowl record: most points scored in the game.
In Super Bowl 51, James White accounted for 20 in the epic 28-3 comeback the New England Patriots pulled off against the Atlanta Falcons, including the game-winning touchdown in overtime.
Hurts has three touchdowns on the ground (one through the air) and the two-point conversion that tied the game at 35 was the equalizer with White.
- Chris Bumbaca
And we're all tied in Super Bowl 57 after Eagles score
These Eagles will not go quietly.
Trailing by eight points in the fourth quarter, Jalen Hurts converted once again on third down early in the drive with a patented sneak. He found A.J Brown on the next third down for another first. Brown and Hurts connected again for 11 yards and another first.
Given plenty of time, Hurts found DeVonta Smith streaking down the left sideline on a blown coverage. Smith could not keep his balance and remain in bounds and went out at the 2-yard line, but not before picking up 45 yards. Hurts scored on the next play via a – you guessed it – quarterback sneak.
Hurts then tied the game on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt on a designed run to the left, breaking tackles and persevering over the goal line to even it at 35 with 5:15 left in the game.
- Chris Bumbaca
Kansas City continues second-half domination
Kadarius Toney, Super Bowl MVP?
Toney had two of the biggest plays for the Chiefs during the fourth quarter, his latest was a 65-yard punt return - the longest in Super Bowl history - went to Philadelphia 5-yard line with 10:11 left in the game.
Three plays later the Chiefs added to their fourth-quarter lead as Patrick Mahomes found receiver Skyy Moore for a 4-yard touchdown pass, and the Chiefs took a 35-27 lead with 9:22 left in the game.
Toney, acquired by the Chiefs during the season, is turning out to be a pivotal move that paid off in Kansas City’s favor during the biggest game of the season. His earlier 5-yard touchdown put the Chiefs ahead in the fourth quarter.
- Safid Deen
Chiefs take first lead in Super Bowl 57
The Chiefs waiting until the fourth quarter to finally go ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Patrick Mahomes found receiver Kadarius Toney for a walk-in 5-yard touchdown, and kicker Harrison Butker made the extra point to put Kansas City ahead 28-27 with 12:04 left in the fourth quarter.
Toney went in motion toward the middle of the field, but turned quickly back to the right sidelinefor a wide-open touchdown.
During the drive, running back Isiah Pacheco (with runs of 9 and 11 yards) and receiver Juju Smith-Schuster (with four catches for 38 yards) were instrumental for Mahomes and the Chiefs.
- Safid Deen
Replay decision helps Eagles add to lead on Chiefs
Jalen Hurts could not have thrown a better ball. On third-and-14 from the Kansas City 47, Hurts dropped back on the team’s first drive of the half with a three-point lead. He found tight end Dallas Goedert near the sideline between two defenders past the sticks for what appeared to be yet another third down conversion.
Although Goedert bobbled the ball, he regained possession in time to land both feet in bounds and the call was upheld. The challenge cost Andy Reid and the Chiefs their first timeout of the second half.
Philadelphia moved the ball inside the red zone after the play but had to settle for a field goal to make it 27-21 with 1:45 left in the third quarter.
- Chris Bumbaca
Hurt ankle, no problem for Patrick Mahomes
After injuring his ankle on his final play of the second quarter, Mahomes started the second half, and even ran for a 14-yard gain inside the 5-yard line on the first drive of the third quarter.
Mahomes led the Chiefs on a touchdown drive to start the second half, which included a low pass to tight end Travis Kelce that kept their drive alive.
Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco scored on a 1-yard run to help the Chiefs trim their deficit. The Eagles are holding onto a 24-21 lead after the first possession in the second half.
- Safid Deen
Rihanna shines bright in Super Bowl halftime show
Rihanna has already evolved into an immensely successful singer, a business mogul with a net worth of more than $1 billion and, as of last year, a mom.
On Sunday, the multihyphenate added another accomplishment to the checklist: Super Bowl halftime headliner.
Taking the State Farm Stadium stage in Glendale, Arizona, with her most visible outing in years, Rihanna stormed through a vibrant production that spotlighted her flexible R&B grooves coupled with infectious pop hooks. And, of course, her distinctive fashion style.
ALL OF THE LIGHTS:Rihanna stuns in spectacular Super Bowl performance
- Melissa Ruggieri
Super Bowl halftime stats: Patrick Mahomes held to 89 yards passing
Only once has a team lost the Super Bowl after leading by double-digits at halftime: the Atlanta Falcons before the New England Patriots staged their famous comeback from a 28-3 deficit six years ago.
The Eagles, who lead 24-14 at the break, finished the first half with a time of possession of 21:54, leaving the Chiefs with 8:06. They ran 44 plays compared to the Chiefs’ 20 and outgained them 270-128.
Here are some other statistics from the first half:
Notable Eagles stats
Third-down efficiency: 6-for-10,
Jalen Hurts: 17-for-22, 183 yards, TD; 11 rushes, 63 yards, 2 TD
DeVonta Smith: six catches, 55 yards
A.J Brown: three catches, 74 yards, TD
Notable Chiefs stats
Third-down efficiency:0-for-3
Patrick Mahomes: 8-for-13, 89 yards, TD
Isiah Pacheco: five carries, 28 yards
Travis Kelce: three catches, 60 yards, TD
Bolton: three tackles, fumble recovery, TD
- Chris Bumbaca
Eagles take 24-14 lead at halftime after late field goal
In the NFC championship game, DeVonta Smith quickly got his team to the line of scrimmage and snapped the ball after a questionable catch on the Eagles’ first drive of their victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
It did not work against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
A replay review late in the second quarter showed Smith did not maintain control of the ball after a catch to the Kansas City 13, and it was ruled incomplete. The Eagles tried to snap the ball right away, but since there were less than two minutes in the first half, the officials in the booth called down to the field for a review.
After the over turn, A.J. Brown, had a 22-yard catch-and-run that put Philadelphia in field goal range. Jake Elliott connected from 35 yards out as time expired in the first half, with the Eagles taking a 24-14 advantage into the locker room.
- Chris Bumbaca
Patrick Mahomes limps off after appearing to re-injure ankle
Well, Patrick Mahomes’ injured right ankle was looking good until it wasn’t.
Mahomes, who was suffered a high-ankle sprain against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the divisional playoff game, scrambled on third down shortly before halftime, and his injured right foot took the brunt of the fall after he was tackled by Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards with 1:44 left in the second quarter.
Mahomes limped off the field in obvious pain and was later shown in difficulty while his ankle was being evaluated by trainers on the sidelines.
Earlier in the game, Mahomes appeared to run with ease like his foot was healed after a high-ankle sprain suffered last month.
- Safid Deen
Eagles back in front on another Jalen Hurts touchdown run
The Eagles entered the Super Bowl with 35 fourth-down attempts. The 36th and 37th were the most important of the season thus far.
On fourth-and-5 from the Kansas City 44, Hurts ran to daylight and converted the first fourth down of the drive with a 28-yard carry down the right sideline. Facing a fourth-and 2, the Eagles got Kansas City to jump inside the red zone to set up a first-and-goal and Hurts scored his second rushing touchdown of the game on the next play to make it 21-14 with just over two minutes left in the second quarter.
The drive was 12 plays and took 7:19 off the clock. The Eagles are dominating time of possession. They have had the ball for 20:32, while Mahomes and Kansas City have had it for 7:08.
- Chris Bumbaca
Chiefs erase deficit with defensive touchdown after Eagles miscue
The Eagles had a seven-point lead and were in Chiefs territory once again.
Instead of putting Kansas City back on its heels, they let them back in the game.
Facing a thrd-and-1 from the Chiefs’ 47, right guard Isaac Seumalo jumped early and moved the Eagles back five yards. On the next play, Hurts began to run on a quarterback keeper, but he dropped the ball and Nick Bolton – the Chiefs’ leading tackler – scooped it up and scored on a 36-yard return that tied the game.
It was the first fumble Hurts lost since Week 10 against Indianapolis and the team's first turnover of the playoffs.
- Chris Bumbaca
A.J. Brown puts Eagles ahead with long touchdown catch
The ability to hit the big play has been a hallmark for the Eagles offense all season.
In the Super Bowl, Brown made it.
On the first play of the second quarter, Hurts had all day in the pocket to watch Brown streak down the field and into double-coverage. Hurts threw to a place anybody who could catch the ball would have to make an adjustment.
Juan Thornhill and McDuffie in coverage weren’t able. Brown did, and the Eagles regain the lead 14-7d on the 45-yard completion.
- Chris Bumbaca
Chiefs fail to take lead as Harrison Butker field goal goes 'doink'
The Chiefs moved the ball well, but settled for a field-goal attempt when facing a fourth-and-3 at the end of their second drive. Butker’s 42-yard kick drifted left and was no good after hitting the upright, keeping the score tied at 7.
The possession by the Chiefs drive featured a stellar 22-yard pass from Mahomes to Kelce, and even some trickery from Kansas City. Kelce and receiver Juju Smith-Schuster signaled to the Chiefs sidelines like they did not know a play call, then turned around after Mahomes found running back Jerick McKinnon for a 7-yard completion on the right side.
Mahomes nearly threw an interception on the next play, and the Chiefs’ field-goal kick miss could come back to haunt them later this game.
- Safid Deen
Eagles RB Miles Sanders sidelined after hit on game's first play
On the first play of the game, Sanders carried for a one-yard loss. Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie tracked him down near the sideline and delivered a large hit, knocking the ball out of bounds.
Sanders, a fourth-year player from Penn State, was seen shaking his hand after the play and went into the locker room before returning to the field. Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell handled the ball-carrying duting in his absence. Sanders returned to the field in the second quarter.
- Chris Bumbaca
Chiefs respond quickly to tie game against Eagles
The Chiefs did not waste any time responding to the Eagles’ first score.
Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes found who else than his favorite target, tight end Travis Kelce, for a 18-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7 with 6:57 left in the first quarter.
Mahomes’ first pass of the game was a 20-yard completion to Kelce. More important: Mahomes’ ankle looks great, too, after he galloped for an 8-yard run during the drive.
The Chiefs got near the red zone with a 24-yard run to the left side by running back Isaiah Pacheco.
Kelce also celebrated his touchdown with a dance in the end zone.
- Safid Deen
Eagles jump out to early Super Bowl lead on Jalen Hurts touchdown run
That was quick.
The Eagles received the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards in 11 plays for a touchdown on the game’s first possession. Jalen Hurts found receiver DeVonta Smith on a key third down and later hit him for 23 yards to move Philadelphia into the red zone on a run-pass option that was initially snuffed out.
Kenneth Gainwell initially had the score, but replay review quickly confirmed his elbow was down short of the goal line. The call was Hurts’ specialty: a quarterback sneak. Behind the Eagles’ elite offensive line, Hurts plowed ahead for six points. Extra point was good and it's Philadelphia 7-0 early.
- Chris Bumbaca
Chiefs win Super Bowl coin toss, Eagles get ball first
If you bet on the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl coin toss, congratulations.
The Chiefs called tails. And the Chiefs won the toss. They chose to defer and will kickoff to the Eagles start the game, and then get the ball to start the second half.
Tails breaks a two-game streak by heads, and has been the coin toss winner in seven of the last 10 Super Bowls, according to Oddsshark.com.
At +100, one would have doubled their money picking the Chiefs to win the coin toss.
- Safid Deen
Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Lee Ralph shine with Super Bowl national anthems
With nearly as much attention paid to the music as the game during the Super Bowl, the trifecta of artists who took the field Sunday prior to kickoff knew the importance of their platform.
Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Babyface were tapped for the honors. Ralph singer infused the Black national anthem - "Lift Every Voice and Sing" - with the type of gusto exhibited during her Emmy acceptance speech last fall.
Babyface followed with "America the Beautiful" and the festivities were capped by Stapleton's rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" that showcased his vocal skills.
RIGHT NOTE:Reviewing the pregame Super Bowl singing performances
- Mellissa Ruggieri
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, center Jason Kelce both cry during Super Bowl national anthem
As Chris Stapleton performed the national anthem before the kick of the Super Bowl, cameras found Sirianni and Kelce, both of whom had tears in their eyes.
Kelce spoke about tears on the big stage after the Eagles’ Super Bowl 52 victory, saying he would find himself crying in the shower in the lead-up to that game against the New England Patriots.
- Chris Bumbaca
Damar Hamlin introduced on field at Super Bowl 57, speaks to Fox's Michael Strahan
The NFL continues to celebrate the remarkable recovery by Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin from cardiac arrest he suffered in a Jan. 2 game.
Hamlin received a warm ovation from the crowd at State Farm Stadium.
Earlier, on Fox's pregame show, Hamlin spoke with Michael Strahan about what he remembered when he made that fateful tackle on Bengals WR Tee Higgins.
Hamlin paused for nearly nine seconds.
"That's something I don't really want to get too deep into, in the detail," Hamlin said. "That's something I'm still trying to work through. Why did it happen to me?"
The full interview will air Monday morning on ABC's "Good Morning America."
Eagles fans boo Cowboys QB Dak Prescott pregame
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott received a rousing ovation after being recognized as the Walter Payton Man of the Year for his philanthropy and community impact.
But not the ovation you’d think one would receive for winning one of the NFL’s highest honors.
Eagles fans at the Super Bowl booed Prescott, because division rivalries don’t cease even for special awards.
Prescott was a good sport about the reaction he received.
- Safid Deen
With injured ankle, Patrick Mahomes goes for Super Bowl win No. 2
This is the third Super Bowl start for the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback. Mahomes split his previous two appearances, beating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 54 before losing the championship game the following season against Tom Brady and the San Francisco 49ers.
Mahomes’ recovery from a right high-ankle sprain in the divisional playoff and his dart to the sidelines that set up a game-winning field goal to help the Chiefs beat the Bengals in the AFC championship game on Jan. 29 only added to his growing legacy.
Mahomes also has a chance to further separate himself from the rest of the current pack of active quarterbacks. With Brady’s retirement, Mahomes could have more rings than any other with his second championship.
— Safid Deen
Three keys to victory in Super Bowl 57
The pregame hype is finally dying down and the focus of Super Bowl 57 is ready to be turned to the gridiron where it belongs.
Both the Chiefs and Eagles have been the class of their respective leagues this season, so the most important thing for either team may only be the ability to execute what they already do well.
Here are three keys to winning, according to USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon:
- Eagles pass rush vs. Chiefs offensive line
- Chiefs aerial attack vs. Eagles pass defense
- Eagles rushing offense vs. Chiefs defense
Super Bowl X-factors: Unknown to hero?
The Super Bowl is where a relative nobody can become a household name, a place where Malcolm Butler and David Tyree were transformed from obscurity to an association with football's biggest stage, forever.
The stars will attract the attention and have the most impact on Super Bowl 57. The X-factors, however – the ones the majority of the 100-plus-million viewers do not know – will also play pivotal roles in determining who lifts the Lombardi Trophy.
Here are a few who could find themselves in the spotlight on Sunday, according to USA TODAY Sports' Chris Bumbaca:
- Eagles DT Jason Hargrave
- Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell
- Chiefs OT Andrew Wylie
- Chiefs LB Nick Bolton
How do Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts stack up?
This margin isn't as wide as you might think. Jalen Hurts, 24, is a star who is going to be a problem in the NFC for a long time. He worked with Tom House this offseason and has refined his mechanics. His ability to compromise defenses with his rushing ability has made it increasingly difficult to defend Philadelphia. And, if the Chiefs use a spy to try to limit what Hurts can do out in open space, it takes away a potential defender Kansas City can use in the secondary.
All that said, Patrick Mahomes is the most gifted passer in the NFL, possibly of all time. His arm makes it so that the Chiefs can score on any given play. And while he may not rack up rushing yards, his mobility — though it may be tested Sunday by a high ankle sprain — allows him to extend plays and find receivers who can break off their routes.
Advantage: Chiefs
How do Eagles and Chiefs running backs stack up?
Where Kansas City has a potential home run hitter in Isiah Pacheco, the Eagles carry significant depth in the backfield. Philadelphia’s top three running backs — Miles Sanders, Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell — are all capable of taking over a game. Just look at Gainwell’s production; he averaged just 3.1 rushes per game in the regular season. In the playoffs, that number has jumped to 13 per and he has responded by leading the Eagles in rushing in both the divisional and conference championship rounds. Sanders, meanwhile, has a nose for the end zone.
Pacheco is explosive both rushing the ball and catching it out of the backfield, but Kansas City often doesn’t give him enough touches to be a major factor. The team also activated Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) off of injured reserve and he’d provide a huge boost if he’s able to play.
Advantage: Eagles
How do Eagles and Chiefs wide receivers match up?
This is perhaps the one position where a team has the strongest advantage over the other. A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith are both star playmakers whose different skill sets complement each other; Brown is physical and quick and can beat defenders with power and Smith is a silky route runner who is elusive in space.
On the other side, the Chiefs have navigated their first season without Tyreek Hill quite well, with Marquez Valdes-Scantling, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kadarius Toney making plays. Still, no Kansas City wideout eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in the regular season. Making matters worse for the Chiefs is that they are facing several nagging injuries at the position, with Mecole Hardman placed on injured reserve. Better put this way, Mahomes and the Chiefs system elevate Smith-Schuster, Valdes-Scantling and Toney, while Brown and Smith are stars who would flourish anywhere.
Advantage: Eagles
How do Chiefs and Eagles tight ends match up?
Dallas Goedert has been a solid and steady option for Hurts. But in 14 games this season, including the playoffs, he reached the 100-yard mark only once.
Travis Kelce isn’t just in the conversation for the best tight end in football — he’s already there — he’s in the conversation for the best of all time. Kelce has secured four All-Pro nominations in the last seven seasons, he’s rewriting the record book and he has become Mahomes’ preferred target and a near-unguardable player in the middle of the field.
Goedert does have a clear advantage over Kelce in run blocking; because Philadelphia sets its identity on the ground, Goedert has become a key piece in the scheme. Still, Kelce is generational.
Advantage: Chiefs
Who are the commentators on FOX NFL Sunday's Super Bowl pregame show?
As is the case during the regular season, Fox Sports has Curt Menefee hosting its NFL Sunday pregame show, which is being broadcast live at State Farm Stadium.
Providing analysis and commentary are Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Michael Strahan and Jimmy Johnson. Joining the set for the playoffs is retired NFL tight end-turned-kicker Rob Gronkowski.
Reporting from around the stadium: Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi, Charissa Thompson and Jay Glazer.
Celebrities at Super Bowl 57
Stars from every industry are descending on State Farm Stadium to watch the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles.
In the stadium early was NBA star LeBron James and his wife, Savannah.
Eagles superfan Bradley Cooper was also in attendance ready to cheer his team to victory.
Rap mogul Jay Z was spotted on the sidelines taking pictures of his daughter Blue Ivy.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Travis Kelce, Fletcher Cox make fashion statements as kickoff approaches
Everyone knows what the players will be wearing when Super Bowl 57 kicks off. The Chiefs will be wearing white uniforms with red pants, red numerals and yellow trim. The Eagles will be wearing green uniforms with either green or white pants.
However, pregame fashions can be any style and color under the rainbow, as evidenced by Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Not to be outdone, Chiefs TE Travis Kelce.
And then there's Eagles DT Fletcher Cox.
Who has the better offensive line, Eagles or Chiefs?
This is another fascinating battle, as these are two of the top units in the NFL. The Eagles, however, have the best O-line in football. Their communication and ability to work together are unrivaled. They have two of the best players at their positions, center Jason Kelce and right tackle Lane Johnson (both of whom were first-team All-Pro selections). They bore open holes in Nick Sirianni’s zone read offense and are disciplined and clean in avoiding penalties.
But where Philadelphia has two All-Pros on its offensive line, the Chiefs have a pair of second-teamers in center Creed Humphrey and left guard Joe Thuney. Orlando Brown has been excellent after moving to left tackle and, considering this is a unit that has been remade, it has done a remarkable job of keeping Mahomes clean.
Advantage: Eagles
Which team has the better defensive line, Chiefs or Eagles?
The Eagles are five sacks in the Super Bowl from breaking the record of the 1984 Bears for total sacks in the regular and postseason combined (82). Three of Philadelphia’s starting four defensive linemen, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and defensive ends Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham notched double-digit sack totals in the regular season, as each posted 11. The other starter, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, is one of the game’s best interior linemen and recorded seven. The unit has depth with end Robert Quinn and tackles Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh coming on in relief.
To be clear, the Chiefs aren’t bad, they’re just not this good. Chris Jones is a force and the best interior lineman in football and Frank Clark can disrupt the timing and rhythm of opposing offenses. Kansas City just doesn’t have the depth or wealth of star talent to match Philadelphia in this spot.
Advantage: Eagles
Who has the advantage at linebacker, Eagles or Chiefs?
It’s almost unfair to consider Haason Reddick as a pure linebacker, since Philadelphia loves using him in five-man fronts, rushing off the left side of the line of scrimmage — or even at defensive tackle — so his presence is frankly more of a consideration for the defensive line. With that in mind, where this Eagles defense is weakest is at the other two linebacker spots. And, considering that linebackers and safeties are among the players asked to cover tight ends, this could be a spot where the Chiefs exploit Philadelphia, using Travis Kelce.
The Chiefs unit that included Nick Bolton and Willie Gay Jr. took some time to get settled this season, but it improved after Gay returned from suspension and as the group got healthier. They have speed and excellent range, though they are sometimes caught out of position, in part because of the relative inexperience of Bolton and Gay.
Advantage: Chiefs
Who has the better secondary, Philly or KC?
This is another spot in which Eagles executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman’s aggressive moves in recent seasons have paid off. The three best players on the unit — corners James Bradberry and Darius Slay and strong safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson — were all acquired via trade or free agency. Bradberry had bounced around the league but found a home in Philadelphia’s defense, earning a second-team All-Pro nod.
For the Chiefs, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed clearing concussion protocol is a welcome sight; he doesn’t shy away from contact and actually helps out quite a bit in stopping the run along the outside. Trent McDuffie is a player who has perhaps been overlooked, though he has had a huge impact as a press corner. Rounding out the starters, at safety, Justin Reid and Juan Thornhill have become capable players. The biggest issue with the Kansas City secondary is the occasional blown coverage that can lead to chunk plays.
Advantage: Eagles
Do the Chiefs or Eagles have the special teams advantage?
As far as kicking and punting goes, this becomes tricky because where the Eagles are strong with place kicker Jake Elliott, the Chiefs are stronger with punter Tommy Townsend, a first-team all-pro. Kansas City place kicker Harrison Butker had the worst season of his career, missing six field goals for a 75% conversion rate. Still, in his last three games, Butker has converted all field goals and extra points.
The Eagles may be without punter Arryn Siposs (ankle), who has said he is ready to play. He presents an upgrade, though backup Brett Kern has been solid in relief. Where the Chiefs separate themselves is with their return men. Both Isiah Pacheco and Skyy Moore are flashes of lightning who can slip through creases and flip field position.
Advantage: Chiefs
Who has the coaching edge — Andy Reid or Nick Sirianni?
The Chiefs have the wealth of experience and Andy Reid may be the best coach not named Belichick over the last three decades. Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy should be a head coach. And defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has kept Kansas City’s defense competitive and loves to disguise blitzes, making it difficult for young quarterbacks to read the field.
The narrative that the Eagles have had a favorable path to the Super Bowl, while accurate, shouldn’t discount the effort and work it takes to win week in and week out. Coach Nick Sirianni’s players swear by him and offensive coordinator Shane Steichen could end up as a head coach this cycle. The zone read offense the pair have assembled requires defenses to make decisions in split seconds. Defensive line coach Tracy Rocker brings decades of experience and coordinator Jonathan Gannon oversees a unit that has taken a huge stride since last season.
Advantage: Chiefs
Chiefs unlikely to face 49ers catastrophe if Mahomes gets hurt
The NFC championship game was a cautionary tale to NFL teams, particularly those vying for a title, about the risks of having only two quarterbacks active on game day.
However, if catastrophe befalls the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in Super Bowl 57, they have a plethora of emergency quarterback options – so many, that it's not immediately clear who would take snaps if presumptive MVP Patrick Mahomes and his, backup, Chad Henne, were unable to go. Obviously, that would be a worst-case scenario. But at least the AFC champs might become so wildly unpredictable that it could keep them in a game – at least temporarily.
— Nate Davis
Ex-Broncos coach helps Eagles prepare for Chiefs offense
The Philadelphia Eagles reportedly brought in some veteran experience ahead of their Super Bowl 57 appearance against the Kansas City Chiefs.
According to reports, the Eagles hired Vic Fangio to assist with game preparations that include self-scouting and analysis. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported Fangio signed a two-week contract that is expected to expire after the Super Bowl.
Fangio agreed to become the Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator last month.
— Jaylon Thompson
Fathers of Super Bowl 57 QBs wreck stereotype of absent Black dad
During Super Bowl 57 you will see more than a game. You'll see two Black quarterbacks — raised lovingly by two Black dads (and also by their moms). You will also see one more thing: a stereotype busted.
If you're looking for the story — the often repeated one, the ever-lasting one, the stereotypical one — of the Black kid who grew up impoverished and still made it. If you're looking for the same ol' story about the Black kid without a father who overcame this and that and the other thing and golly gee, goodness gracious look at him now. Well, this Super Bowl quarterbacks story is not for you.
— Mike Freeman
Special game-day deliveries for 2 Chiefs players
Just playing in the big game is already memorable enough, but two members of the Kansas City Chiefs will have even more reason to remember this Super Bowl Sunday.
While he was busy preparing to face off against the Philadelphia Eagles, Chiefs guard Nick Allegretti learned his wife Christina went into labor and delivered healthy twin girls early Sunday morning in Chicago.
At about the same time the Allegretti girls were arriving, Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman was frantically tweeting that his girlfriend Chariah Gordon was also about ready to give birth.
There could also be another Super Bowl baby before long on the other sideline.
Eagles center Jason Kelce and his wife Kylie are also expecting a baby.
Andy Reid could win second Super Bowl – against his former team
Reid, 64, is a no-nonsense coach who has become endearing, never too shy to be himself or make others laugh at his own expense. He proudly wears Hawaiian shirts and professes his love for a good cheeseburger. He’s also one of the most accomplished coaches.
Reid was the Eagles’ coach for 14 seasons (1999-2012) and did mostly everything for the franchise – six NFC East titles, five NFC title games, one Super Bowl appearance – except win it all.
When he was fired by Philadelphia, Kansas City pounced at the opportunity to hire him, and it has been rewarded with 10 winning seasons, nine playoff berths and a Super Bowl during the 2019 season.
Reid has the respect and the résumé to match, and he has an opportunity to solidify his Hall of Fame career with a second Super Bowl title. To do it against his former team would be special, too.
SUPER BOWL STORYLINES: Reid, Kelce brothers, Mahomes' ankle all worth watching
— Safid Deen
Who will perform at the Super Bowl halftime show?
While the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles take a break from shining bright like a diamond, Rihanna will be the Super Bowl 57 halftime show performer.
It's a show that's so exciting, at least one player is hoping to catch a glimpse.
The nine-time Grammy award-winner will perform a slew of hits with (or maybe without) some surprise guests. This will be her first public performance since 2018 when she performed DJ Khaled's "Wild Thoughts" at the Grammys.
– Victoria Hernandez
Who holds the most Super Bowl records?
With 10 Super Bowl appearances, Tom Brady has made his mark on the game's history, setting a plethora of individual records.
Brady, who made 10 Super Bowl appearances with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice – who appeared in four Super Bowls during his career with the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders – hold multiple standards in the NFL's annual championship showcase.
From a team perspective, Brady's New England Patriots and Rice's San Francisco 49ers figure prominently.
SUPER BOWL RECORDS: Will any legendary marks be surpassed in Super Bowl 57?
SUPER BOWL HISTORY: All-time results, winners, MVPs, more
SUPER BOWL HIGHLIGHTS: Nate Davis' 57 greatest moments in Super Bowl lore
How 'No crush, no rush' slogan has Philadelphia Eagles defense on historic sack pace
The four-word phrase coined by defensive ends and outside linebackers coach Jeremiah Washburn means the defense has to stop the run to earn the right to rush the quarterback. Entering Super Bowl 57, the defense has lived up to its motto.
“If you don’t stop the run, you can’t pass rush nobody,” Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham said. “You got to take care of business. Early on, you got to send a message and let them know what the game is gonna be. You got to be the dictators. That’s any defense that wants to win a game, you got to let them know what it’s gonna be for the day.”
The Eagles had the NFL’s second ranked defense in the regular season and the unit hasn’t given up more than seven points in each of its postseason wins leading up to Super Bowl 57. When it comes to rushing the quarterback, the Eagles are on an historic pace.
The Eagles defense has amassed 78 total sacks across the regular season and postseason, the third most in NFL history. Philadelphia is three sacks away from surpassing the 1985 Chicago Bears for the second most sacks ever and five sacks shy of eclipsing the 1984 Bears (82 sacks) for the NFL single-season record.
— Tyler Dragon
Joe Biden's pregame Super Bowl interview with Fox called off
President Joe Biden won’t be giving a pregame Super Bowl interview to Fox Soul after all.
Presidents in recent years have granted wide-ranging interviews to the network hosting the Super Bowl. But last week there was confusion over whether Biden would follow the tradition.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted Friday that Biden had been looking forward to an interview on Fox Soul, a streaming sister service to the conservative Fox News. But she said the White House had been informed that the network’s parent company, Fox Corp., canceled the interview.
Biden did pregame interviews with CBS in 2021 and with NBC in 2022.
– Michael Collins
'Superhero?' What other Chiefs say about QB Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes exploded into an NFL superstar almost from the moment when he became the Kansas City Chiefs' starting quarterback in 2018, the year he also won his first MVP trophy.
But what we all see is not necessarily what Mahomes' teammates see.
USA TODAY Sports closely monitored and asked Chiefs players and coaches during the days leading up to the big game about what it's like being around their intrepid leader, and some common themes quickly emerged.
— Nate Davis
Eagles' success starts at the top
To compare the team-building philosophies of the Philadelphia Eagles and last year's Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, and classify them as similar would be to miss the point.
There is a difference between mortgaging the future and having a foundation for continued success in place. The Rams, quite literally, employed a “(expletive) them picks” strategy. The Eagles have a pair of first-round picks in the 2023 draft and Jalen Hurts, an MVP-level quarterback on a rookie (second-round selection) contract.
Leadership starts at the top. Knowing the right time to push the chips toward the middle is essential to winning it all, and Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie has given general manager Howie Roseman, who has been with the organization since 2000, the latitude – and payroll – to be aggressive.
In Super Bowl 57 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Roseman's fingerprints will be all over the field.
– Chris Bumbaca
'Special' Super Bowl for Black quarterbacks
When Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts take the field Feb. 12, they will be the first two Black quarterbacks to start against each other in the Super Bowl. It’s an accomplishment both quarterbacks fully embrace.
“It is history. It’s come a long way. I think there has only been (eight) African American quarterbacks to play in a Super Bowl. To be the first for something is pretty cool. I know it’ll be a good one,” Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, told reporters Thursday. “It’s history.”
There will be eight Black quarterbacks to start in a Super Bowl once the championship game kicks off: Doug Williams, Steve McNair, Donovan McNabb, Colin Kaepernick, Russell Wilson, Cam Newton, Mahomes and Hurts.
– Tyler Dragon
THE 100-YEAR LONG ROAD: Fritz Pollard paved the way for Hurts, Mahomes
OPINION: Fathers of Super Bowl 57 quarterbacks wreck stereotype of absent Black dad
Report: Colts target Eagles offensive coordinator as next head coach
The Indianapolis Colts have reached a decision on who they want as their next head coach – but the process will have to wait until Super Bowl 57 concludes.
Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen is the Colts' top choice, and, according to ESPN, the team has already begun informing the other candidates that they are no longer being considered.
Steichen, 37, has run the Eagles offense for the past two seasons. On the way to reaching the Super Bowl, Philadelphia ranked first in rushing yards and third in points per game in 2022. That would seem to mesh well with the Colts, whose offense revolves around 2021 NFL rushing champion Jonathan Taylor.
In addition, the Arizona Cardinals plan to interview Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon for their head coaching vacancy, according to NFL.com.
Ex-Eagles, Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil can't pick a favorite
Dick Vermeil led the Philadelphia Eagles to the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance. He also finished his Hall of Fame career coaching the Kansas City Chiefs.
So, in what direction is Vermeil’s allegiance flowing for Super Bowl 57?
“I’ve put in my frame of mind right now, philosophically, I’m going to root for both teams to win,” Vermeil told USA TODAY Sports. “And I’ll feel very bad for the team that loses.”
The only person other than Andy Reid to have coached both the Eagles and the Chiefs, Vermeil, 86, won’t even be inside State Farm Stadium on Sunday.
– Jarrett Bell
SUPER BOWL RECORDS: Will any of these marks be broken in Super Bowl 57?
Jason or Travis? Donna Kelce has a plan for which son she'll visit first after Super Bowl 57
Donna Kelce, the mother of Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, has a game plan for after Super Bowl 57.
She is going to visit the winner first.
But Donna Kelce told USA TODAY Sports that it's not about favoritism. It's logistics.
"In the Super Bowl, you only have a chance to see the winner," Kelce said at Super Bowl 57 Radio Row at the Phoenix Convention Center. "The losers are immediately sent to their hotel, like go to your room."
— Cydney Henderson
SIBLING RIVALRY: Kelce brothers embrace 'enjoyable chaos'
Super Bowl expert picks
Coming off a pair of dominant postseason wins, the Eagles enter the game as slight favorites. However, the Chiefs seem to have more big game experience as they prepare for their third Super Bowl in the past four seasons, led by presumptive league MVP and Super Bowl 54 MVP Patrick Mahomes.
Our writers offer up their predictions and how they see the game unfolding:
- Jarrett Bell: Chiefs
- Chris Bumbaca: Chiefs
- Nate Davis: Chiefs
- Safid Deen: Chiefs
- Tyler Dragon: Chiefs
- Lorenzo Reyes: Eagles
Who will win Super Bowl MVP?
Here are USA TODAY Sports' expert picks for Super Bowl 57 MVP:
- Jarrett Bell: Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes
- Chris Bumbaca: Chiefs RB Jerick McKinnon
- Nate Davis: Mahomes
- Safid Deen: Mahomes
- Tyler Dragon: Mahomes
- Lorenzo Reyes: Eagles QB Jalen Hurts
Who is announcing Super Bowl 57?
FOX's Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen will be the broadcasters for Super Bowl 57.
Read more on how these two guys from Jersey became NFL broadcast stars.
Who are the Super Bowl officials?
Carl Cheffers will be the referee for Super Bowl 57. This is his third Super Bowl. He will be joined by umpire Roy Ellison, down judge Jerod Phillips, line judge Jeff Bergman, field judge John Jenkins, side judge Eugene Hall, back judge Dino Paganelli and replay official Mark Butterworth.
How Patrick Mahomes' and Jalen Hurts' 2022 stats compare
— Jim Sergent
As Eagles' Nick Sirianni reaches Super Bowl, his brothers find success on parallel paths
Over the past 20 years, Mike Sirianni has quietly become one of the top coaches in college football. He's never had a losing season. Never lost back-to-back regular-season games. His win percentage (.807) ranks sixth among active head coaches with tenures of at least 100 games, ahead of Dabo Swinney (.805) and Nick Saban (.801).
"People are like, 'You have the (sixth)-highest win percentage in college football right now,' " he said. "And I’m like, 'Yeah, but I’m the third-best coach in my own family.' "
That would be behind middle brother Jay, who coached their high school alma mater to three New York state title games, winning two.
And behind youngest brother, Nick, who will of course make his Super Bowl debut when the Philadelphia Eagles face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
"In my opinion, until Nick wins a Super Bowl, Jay’s got two state championships," Mike said. "So to me, I’m still voting him No. 1."
— Tom Schad
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