The 2023 Super Bowl matchup is set. It will feature the Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Kansas City Chiefs. A historic super bowl that features for the first time ever, two African American quarterbacks. Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes.
On Sunday January 29, 2023, the Eagles dominated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship. Right out of the gate, they put the 49ers on their heels. Devante Smith made an incredible one-handed snag on fourth and three, putting the Eagles in the red zone. Moments later, Miles Sanders walked into the endzone for the first score of the game. It was clear the Eagles were in control from the very start and were determined to get to Arizona.
The 49er’s first possession ended early with a Brock Purdy fumble. Purdy was injured on the play and left the game with an elbow injury. Josh Johnson came in to replace Purdy, but was unable to give the offense any life. Christian McCaffrey provided the 49ers with their only spark of the game, breaking multiple tackles on an impressive TD run late in the second quarter.
With just a few seconds remaining in the second half, Miles Sanders rushed for another touchdown for the Eagles. On the 49ers’ following possession, Josh Johnson mishandled the snap, resulting in yet another turnover for them. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the Eagles scored their third touchdown of the game with 18 seconds to go.
The second half of the game proved to be unyielding for the 49ers, as QB Josh Johnson was rendered unconscious following a tackle by Ndamukong Suh. In the third quarter, Purdy filled-in for Johnson, but the offense resorted to only short passes and running plays, resulting in no more points for the 49ers. In the fourth quarter, the Eagles scored an additional touchdown and a field goal, positioning them firmly in Super Bowl LVII with a final score of 31-7.
The Benagals and Chiefs’ faced off in a rematch of last years AFC Championship game. One in which Joe Burrow outplayed Patrick Mahomes in route to his first Super Bowl appearance. This year the game was a contestant back and forth, with the Chiefs winning narrowly on long field goal.
In the first quarter, the Chiefs asserted their dominance over the Bengals, sacking Joe Burrow three times and not allowing them to gain a single yard. The Chiefs jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage when a pass to Kadarius Toney was ruled incomplete, leading to a 43-yard field goal instead.
At the beginning of the second quarter, the Chiefs widened the lead by kicking a 24-yard field goal, making the score 6-0. On the Bengals’ next drive, McPherson proceeded to kick a 30-yard field goal, their first points of the game. After a brief possession, the Chiefs converted a fourth and one, resulting in another touchdown and increasing the score.
On the very next possession from Burrow, Jaylen Watson managed to intercept his throw; however, the Chiefs failed to take advantage of the turnover and score anything. As a result, the ball was sent back to the Bengals and they were able to get an additional field goal in the moments before halftime.
At the start of the second half, the Benagls came out strong and managed to tie the game with a touchdown. The teams both scored one more touchdown, making the score 20-20, which stayed the same until almost the end of the fourth quarter.
With time running out and the game in the balance, Patrick Mahomes came up with a crucial fourth and one completion, courtesy of an advantageous 15-yard penalty, that allowed the Chiefs to move into field goal range. With the clock in its final seconds, Evan McPherson successfully converted the game-winning field goal, sending the Chiefs to the Super Bowl.
With the win it marked the Chiefs’ third Super Bowl appearance in four years. Super Bowl LVIII will be hosted in Arizona on February 12, 2023.