By Patrick Aboud

Image credit: NFL.com.

On the February 9, the Philadelphia Eagles faced off against the two-time reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59 in the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs entered this game trying to make history as the first team in the Super Bowl era to “Three-peat,” or win three consecutive Super Bowls. However, from the first kickoff, it was clear that the Eagles were in control of the game. It wasn’t until the score was 34-0 in the third quarter that the reigning champs got on the board.  

The final score of the game was 40-22 in favor of Philadelphia, giving the franchise their second Super Bowl victory, the first being in 2017. Jalen Hurts, the Philly Quarterback, was the game MVP after throwing for 221 yards and two touchdowns, as well as rushing for 72 yards and a touchdown. Star running back Saquon Barkley rushed for 57 yards and caught six targets for an extra 40 yards.

Mahomes threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns, all of which came after the deficit had become too great to come back from. Travis Kelce, the Chiefs’ most consistent receiver in past Super Bowls, caught four passes for 39 yards. And breakout rookie receiver Xavier Worthy hauled in eight receptions for 157 yards and two touchdowns. 

The game delivered plenty of unforgettable moments. The Eagles set the tone early with a dominant defensive play, as rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean jumped a route and returned an interception 58 yards for a pick-six, igniting the Eagles’ sideline and shifting momentum in their favor. Later in the game, wide receiver DeVonta Smith showcased his elite route-running and speed, burning past the defense for a stunning 46-yard touchdown reception that extended the Eagles’ lead to 34-0. 

After the game, Hurts spoke to reporters, praising his defense’s excellence during the game, saying, “Defense wins championships.” The final score of 40-22 doesn’t accurately reflect the phenomenal defense played by the Eagles throughout the game, as the Chiefs scored in garbage time.

Philadelphia, a city known for its incredibly loyal sports fanbases, erupted in celebrations before the final whistle even blew. Thousands took to the streets of the city to celebrate on Super Bowl Sunday, resulting in dozens of people being arrested and thousands of dollars in property damage. Some were even able to take down a traffic light pole, which they carried down the street. One 18-year-old Temple student tragically lost his life after climbing up a traffic pole and falling back to the ground. 

All of this chaos demonstrated just how much the Eagles’ win in Super Bowl LIX meant to the Philadelphia fans. Max Dewitt (‘25), a die-hard Eagles fan, described it as “the best night of his life.” He stated that he was never in doubt and “knew my Eagles were gonna’ win.” 

The Super Bowl LX odds have already come out for next season’s NFL championship, with the Eagles taking the top spot at +600, followed by the Chiefs, Ravens, and Bills, all at +700. The 49ers have the best odds of any team that didn’t make the playoffs this year, at +1500, and they are also the team that hosts Super Bowl 60.

As football fans look ahead to next season’s championship favorites, Super Bowl LIX left its mark not just on the field, but also through a groundbreaking halftime performance. Super Bowl LIX’s halftime show featured an electrifying performance by Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar, who delivered a high-energy set filled with his most popular songs, including “DNA,” “Humble,” “Euphoria,” “All the Stars,” feat. SZA, “Not Like Us,” and “TV Off” feat. Lefty Gunplay.

Photo credit: Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images.

“Not Like Us” brought more attention to the ongoing beef in the music world between Lamar and rapper Drake. Lamar’s halftime show became the most viewed Super Bowl halftime show in history, amassing a staggering 133.5 million viewers around the world. During his performance, he brought out fellow musician and pop artist SZA to perform two songs, as well as tennis star Serena Williams as a dancer, who sparked conversation by doing the Crip Walk—a move she had previously been criticized for performing at a tennis tournament.

Featured image credit: Erik Drost via flickr.