GLENDALE, Ariz. – Achingly familiar, Philadelphia experienced heartbreak again on Sunday night.
The Eagles were tasked with redirecting the city’s recent misfortunes. After the Union and Phillies reached their respective league championship games before they ultimately fell short in the big game, the Eagles followed suit in Super Bowl LVII.
The Eagles surrendered a 10-point lead, and allowed the Chiefs to roll away with a 38-35 victory in the game’s final seconds when Harrison Butker hit a 27-yard field goal to deliver Kansas City’s second championship in four years.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 27-of-38 passes for 304 yards with one touchdown. He also rushed 70 yards and three touchdowns, which tied a Super Bowl record.
Defense struggles
Despite being hobbled by a high ankle sprain that he re-aggravated during the Super Bowl, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes proved to be too difficult of a puzzle for Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
Mahomes rallied and picked apart Gannon’s zone-heavy scheme. He completed 21-of-27 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns. Former Eagles coach Andy Reid supported Mahomes, the NFL MVP, with an efficient run game. Tailbacks Isaiah Pacheco and Jerk McKinnon combined for 19 carries, 110 rushing yards, and one touchdown. On a pair of late touchdown completions, the Eagles suffered from coverage busts after they failed to account for receivers in motion.
With the game still in the air, All-Pro cornerback James Bradberry was penalized for holding on third down late in the fourth quarter. The Eagles, who finished with most sacks in the NFL, failed to sack Mahomes even once.
