Patrick Mahomes expressed, “I take all the blame” for his three turnovers during Super Bowl LIX, a game that saw the Kansas City Chiefs fall 40-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite throwing for three touchdowns and accumulating 257 yards, Mahomes’ performance did not align with his usual standards.
The star quarterback faced significant challenges, as he was pressured consistently throughout the game. He committed three turnovers—two interceptions and one lost fumble—while being sacked six times. The Chiefs found themselves in a deep hole, trailing 34-0 before finally scoring in the third quarter.
Mahomes’ first interception was particularly damaging, leading directly to a touchdown for the Eagles. In the second quarter, defensive back Cooper DeJean intercepted a pass intended for DeAndre Hopkins, quickly returning it for a touchdown to extend the Eagles’ lead to 17-0. “The kid made a great play on it,” Mahomes acknowledged. “He made a great read on it and then returned it for a touchdown.”
Later in the game, Mahomes faced another setback. As he attempted to throw to Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, left tackle Joe Thuney was pushed into him, resulting in a second interception caught by linebacker Zack Baun. “I was trying to throw it to Hollywood, got bumped a little bit,” Mahomes explained. “I’ve got to find a way to make the throw.”
While Baun didn’t score on that interception, it set up a short field for the Eagles. Jalen Hurts capitalized, throwing a 12-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Brown, pushing the Eagles’ lead to 24-0 by halftime. “That’s 14 points that I kind of gave them,” Mahomes reflected. “It’s hard to come back from that in a Super Bowl.”
In the second half, Mahomes managed to guide the Chiefs into the end zone a few times, but it was too late to change the outcome. Their first score came with just 34 seconds left in the third quarter, bringing the score to 34-6. The Eagles increased their lead to 40-6 after Mahomes’ third turnover, a strip-sack that led to a field goal.
Despite the overwhelming deficit, Mahomes managed to throw two late touchdowns in what many considered garbage time. Notably, none of these touchdowns were to tight end Travis Kelce, who had a subdued performance with only four receptions for 39 yards.
As the Chiefs pursued a third consecutive title, speculation arose regarding Kelce’s future, given his age of 35. Although he did not address retirement questions directly, he acknowledged the team’s struggles: “Couldn’t get it going offensively. I mean, they just got after us on all three phases.”
Mahomes, however, remains confident in Kelce’s abilities. “He knows he has a lot of football left in him,” he stated. “He always makes plays in the biggest moments, but it’s if he wants to put in that grind. He’s done enough to be a gold-jacket guy, a first-ballot Hall of Famer.”
In the end, Mahomes’ performance in Super Bowl LIX serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football, where even the most talented players can face challenges that impact their game. The quarterback’s willingness to accept responsibility highlights his leadership and determination to improve for future contests.
