Patrick Mahomes: Three is the magic number
By Hamzah Amir Ahmed
Patrick Mahomes celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl 58 (Image: Getty Images)
With the Kansas City Chiefs’ 25-22 victory over the San Francisco 49ers and his MVP from the game, Patrick Mahomes is now the third player in NFL history to win three Super Bowls and three Super Bowl MVPs. He joins the elite company of seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady and four-time Super Bowl champion Joe Montana. Mahomes threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 66 yards for the game.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell poses with Patrick Mahomes and the MVP award (Image: Getty Images)
The Chiefs being down by 10 points has become a main feature in their Super Bowl games. However, unlike the previous ones in which they would turn it around and win in regulation, this one was forced into overtime following a 29-yard field goal from Harrison Butker with three seconds left on the clock.
In overtime, there is a 15-minute period in which both teams will get at least one possession. If the team with the ball first scores a touchdown, the other team will have a chance to tie. If the score is tied after each team’s first possession, then the next score wins the game. Having won the coin toss, the 49ers elected to receive.
This decision would ultimately cost them the game. Coach Kyle Shanahan later explained that he wanted to have the ball third. His logic assumed each team would score the same number of points on the first possessions but for the 49ers that would not be the case.
In a game where defences were the standout, the Chiefs stout defence managed to hold the 49ers to a field goal and with about seven minutes to go until the end of the first period, Mahomes had the ball and the game within reach.
The winning drive was yet another magnificent display of Mahomes magic. It was the latest instalment of a genius quarterback ascending towards the NFL’s Mount Rushmore. Following a rush to convert a fourth-and-one and passes to Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce, Mahomes sealed the deal with a three-yard winner to Mecole Hardman.
Mecole Hardman catching the game-winning touchdown (Image: Getty Images)
With this third Super Bowl win, Mahomes’ Chiefs become the NFL’s newest dynasty. They are the first team in 20 years to go back-to-back but they now have their eyes set on the three-peat. The NFL was founded 104 years ago and during its time no team has ever accomplished this unprecedented feat, but Mahomes has said: “[I will] do whatever I can to be back in this game next year.”
On a night where three was the significant number, it is fitting that Mahomes and the Chiefs won their third ring in Allegiant Stadium, which is addressed 3333 Al Davis Way, Las Vegas, NV.