The Super Bowl is always a spectacle, but this year’s game was one for the ages. The Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers battled for four quarters and overtime, delivering the most-watched program in television history.
How the Chiefs Came Back from the Brink
The Chiefs were trailing by 10 points with less than seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, when their star quarterback Patrick Mahomes led a furious comeback. He threw two touchdown passes to Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, giving the Chiefs a 22-19 lead with 1:12 remaining.
The 49ers had a chance to tie the game or take the lead, but their kicker Jake Moody missed a 47-yard field goal attempt with 39 seconds left. The Chiefs then ran out the clock and celebrated their first Super Bowl title in 51 years.
How the 49ers Forced Overtime with a Miracle Play
The 49ers were not done yet, though. They used their three timeouts and got the ball back at their own 25-yard line with 18 seconds left. Their quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw a deep pass to Deebo Samuel, who caught it at the Chiefs’ 40-yard line and ran out of bounds with four seconds left.
The 49ers then lined up for a Hail Mary pass, hoping for a miracle. Garoppolo threw the ball into the end zone, where it was tipped by several players before landing in the hands of Kendrick Bourne, who fell to the ground with the ball and the game-tying touchdown as time expired.
The 49ers and their fans erupted in joy, while the Chiefs and their fans were stunned. The game was going to overtime, the second time in Super Bowl history.
How the Chiefs Won the Coin Toss and the Game
The overtime rules in the NFL are simple: the team that wins the coin toss gets the ball first, and can win the game with a touchdown or a field goal if the other team does not get a possession. If the first team scores a field goal, the other team gets a chance to tie or win the game with a touchdown. If the score is still tied after both teams get a possession, the game continues until someone scores.
The Chiefs won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball. They drove down the field with ease, thanks to Mahomes’ passes and runs. They faced a third-and-goal at the 49ers’ 3-yard line, when Mahomes found Mecole Hardman in the corner of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
The Chiefs and their fans celebrated their second Super Bowl title in franchise history, while the 49ers and their fans were left heartbroken. Mahomes was named the Super Bowl MVP, becoming the youngest player to win that award and the regular season MVP in his career.
How the Super Bowl Broke TV Records and Attracted New Fans
The Super Bowl is always a ratings juggernaut, but this year’s game was even more impressive. According to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics, the game averaged 123.4 million viewers across television and streaming platforms, shattering last year’s mark of 115.1 million and setting a new record for the most-watched program in television history.
The game was televised by CBS, Nickelodeon and Univision and streamed on Paramount+ as well as the NFL’s digital platforms. Nielsen also said a record 202.4 million watched at least part of the game across all networks, a 10% increase over last year’s figure of 183.6 million.
The game also had the added attraction of Taylor Swift in attendance. The pop superstar is dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, a romance that has brought new fans to the NFL. Swift posted several photos and videos of her cheering for the Chiefs on her social media accounts, drawing millions of likes and comments from her followers.
The Super Bowl was a thrilling and historic event that captivated the nation and the world. It was a game that will be remembered for a long time, and a game that made history in more ways than one.
