The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs delivered a thrilling Super Bowl LIV battle that football fans won’t forget. A clash between the 49ers’ incredible defense and the Chiefs’ electrifying offense provided all kinds of highlights and jaw-dropping hits to make this a real Super Bowl classic.
It’s the matchup everyone wanted and Super Bowl LIV never fell short on delivering entertainment. Both teams exchanged scores and big plays early before heading into halftime in a 10-10 game.
The 49ers came out of the half ready to impose their will on Kansas City. It didn’t take long before San Francisco tacked on 10 points, with the help of some clutch passing and a huge turnover, to take a 20-10 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Chiefs seemed to be toast after Patrick Mahomes threw his second interception with a 10-point deficit. Then, when this team needed a highlight pay, Tyreek Hill delivered and the Chiefs made it 20-17 moments later. Kansas City’s defense came up with its biggest stop of the year. Then, Mahomes delivered in the clutch once more for the go-ahead score and a 24-20 lead.
San Francisco still had hope, but it was quickly extinguished. Once the Chiefs got the ball back and Damien Williams hit the edge to find daylight, the celebrations began in Kansas City.
As the Chiefs celebrate their first Super Bowl title in 50 years, here are the biggest hits and highlights that made Super Bowl LIV an unforgettable night.
Jimmie Ward sets the tone with crushing hit
San Francisco’s defense is fast and loves delivering bone-crushing hits, so it’s no surprise that Ward set the tone early. Mahomes took off on third-and-11 and seemingly had the first down. Of course, that was until Ward came flying in with an insane hit to pop the ball loose.
Ward’s huge hit turned a first down into a fourth down. Unfortunately for the 49ers, the Chiefs went for it and converted. While it didn’t prevent a score, Ward’s hit sent a message early.
Patrick Mahomes scores first Super Bowl LIV touchdown
We’re still not sure how Mahomes got up from Ward’s crushing hit. But, the star quarterback didn’t seem fazed by it in the slightest and it didn’t take long for him to send his own message to the 49ers.
He executed the fake pitch perfectly and the extra space cleared his path to the end zone for the first touchdown of the Super Bowl. We have to admit, the flex was pretty good as well.
Jimmy Garoppolo closes eyes on his own awful INT
It’s tough to determine Jimmy G’s thought process here. He avoided the sack with a nifty move but then decided closing his eyes and heaving up a throw to nowhere was a good decision. As you might expect, the throw backfired.
It proved to be especially costly because the 49ers were on the verge of crossing midfield with a chance to match Kansas City’s touchdown. Instead, the Chiefs got the ball back and took a seven-point lead after a field goal.
Kyle Juszczyk soars for 49ers’ first touchdown
Fullbacks get love in the Super Bowl, too. Of course, Juszczyk is no ordinary fullback. The 6-foot-1, 240-pounder is a bulldozer in the running game and an athletic marvel when he has the football in his hands.
Juszczyk became the first fullback to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl since Mike Alstott in Super Bowl XXXVII. Needless to say, he proved why the 49ers gave him a record-setting contract.
Patrick Mahomes makes a costly mistake
After a run of perfection throughout the postseason, constant pressure and built-up frustration finally took its toll. Mahomes dropped back and launched a bullet right to 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, swinging momentum even further in San Francisco’s favor.
The 49ers weren’t going to waste a free chance to take a two-score lead. Kyle Shanahan drew up the perfect drive to attack Kansas City’s defense and the 49ers moved effortlessly downfield and then punched in a touchdown for a 20-10 advantage.
Mahomes and Tyreek Hill’s massive blunder
On a night when Mahomes and Hill struggled early, their biggest mistake came at a bad moment. Mahomes was off the market with a throw far behind his receiver, but Hill’s decision to reach back and ultimately tip the ball up backfired.
A chance to make it a one-score game, instead, gave the ball back to San Francisco. While the 49ers didn’t answer with a score, they were able to take a lot more time off the clock.
Clutch revenge for the dynamic duo
Kansas City’s defense saved its quarterback and gave him another chance. Finally, when the game was on the line, Mahomes delivered with the iconic deep strike to Hill for the big play this team desperately needed.
It didn’t take long for the Chiefs to take advantage of their new confidence. After a defensive pass interference put the ball at San Francisco’s one-yard line, Travis Kelce hauled in the touchdown to make it a one-score contest.
Sammy Watkins beats Richard Sherman, sets up go-ahead touchdown
In what might have been his last NFL game for some time, Watkins came through in a huge moment for Kansas City. He beat Sherman off the line with the perfect move to create separation and Watkins’ speed did the rest.
The 38-yard play moved the offense to San Francisco’s 10-yard line. From there, Mahomes used his legs to move the ball inside the five-yard line. When it all came down to third-and-goal, Damien Williams just stayed in bounds long enough for the go-ahead touchdown with under three minutes left.
Kansas City’s defense snuffs out the comeback
After watching their quarterback come through in the clutch, Kansas City’s defense took the field hoping to put the game away. On fourth down with their season on the line, the Chiefs pass rush broke free and took down Garoppolo for the crucial turnover.
Sitting on the brink of celebration and with the Lombardi Trophy just within their grasp, all the Chiefs needed was to kill the clock and pop the champagne. They got even more than that.
Damien Williams drops the dagger into San Francisco
Kansas City just needed a first down and it could watch the seconds tick away before erupting into celebration. When Williams came around the edge and saw destiny in front of him, he danced his way into the end zone and into NFL history.
The Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl champions. It’s the very words that fans have been waiting for 50 years to finally hear. Of course, it’s all made even better with Andy Reid finally getting that elusive ring.