The Philadelphia Eagles had been carrying the weight of that heartbreaking Super Bowl loss for two years, and when they finally got their shot at redemption against the Kansas City Chiefs, they did not hold back. With months of frustration fueling them, they came out swinging, dominating the first half in a way that had everyone in the stadium stunned. And let’s be honest, if you’re a Chiefs fan, this was not the game you were hoping for.
Eagles Set the Tone Early
Nick Sirianni’s squad wasn’t just talking about confidence—they showed it. Right from the get-go, they proved they were the better team, outgaining the Chiefs 115 to 19 in total yards in the first quarter alone. Jalen Hurts was locked in, completing six of seven passes for 75 yards. Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' offense struggled, managing only 15 total yards. It was a statement start, and Philadelphia was in complete control.
Defense Steals the Show
If anyone thought the Eagles' defense was going to take it easy, they were dead wrong. With defensive mastermind Vic Fangio calling the shots, the Eagles turned the Chiefs' offense into a non-factor. Kansas City managed just one first down in the entire first half. They were a brutal 0-for-6 on third-down conversions and mustered only 23 total yards. To put it simply, the Chiefs couldn’t get anything going.
And let’s talk about that Eagles’ pass rush—absolutely relentless! According to Next Gen Stats, Philadelphia had a 47% pressure rate in the first half, and here’s the kicker—they didn’t blitz once. Josh Sweat was a force with four tackles, 1.5 sacks, a tackle for loss, and two QB hits. Meanwhile, Zack Baun, a Defensive Player of the Year finalist, delivered with one tackle, one pass defended, and a spectacular interception that had Eagles fans roaring.
Referees Make Their Presence Known
It wouldn’t be a high-stakes NFL game without a little controversy. The officials wasted no time getting involved, making a crucial call early on. A 28-yard catch by A.J. Brown on fourth down was called back due to offensive pass interference against Trent McDuffie. Whether you agreed with the call or not, it was a momentum shift.
The Impact of Young Talent
Philadelphia’s offseason additions paid off in a big way. The new defensive trio of Cooper DeJean, Isaiah Rodgers, and Jalen Carter brought the energy the Eagles lacked in Super Bowl 57. DeJean made an immediate impact with a key stop, and the Eagles quickly forced a Kansas City punt. When you’ve got young, hungry players stepping up on the biggest stage, it changes everything.
Jahan Dotson Breaks Out
For much of the 2024 season, Jahan Dotson was still figuring out his place in the Eagles’ offense. But on the biggest night of the year, he showed up big time. Dotson hauled in a 21-yard catch initially ruled a touchdown, helping put the Eagles on top 7-0. By halftime, he had already racked up two catches for 42 yards, proving he was more than ready for the spotlight.
Jalen Hurts Delivers Despite a Rare Mistake
Hurts has been one of the most careful quarterbacks in the league with the football, but even the best slip up. After going 10 straight games without throwing an interception, he finally had one in this game. But did that rattle him? Not at all. He rebounded with a solid first half, completing 11-of-15 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown, while adding eight carries for 25 yards and another score. A 91.8 QB rating in the first half? Yeah, not too shabby.
Patrick Mahomes Struggles Mightily
It’s rare to see Mahomes look rattled, but this was one of those nights. The Chiefs' superstar quarterback was just 6-of-14 for 33 yards—yes, only 33 yards! That’s an average of 2.4 yards per attempt. Add in two interceptions and a 10.7 quarterback rating, and it was clear the Eagles' defense was completely in his head. If Mahomes was going to turn things around, he’d have to dig deep in the second half.
Saquon Barkley Gets Bottled Up
The Chiefs’ defense knew they had to stop Saquon Barkley at all costs, and they stuck to that game plan. By the time the first half was winding down, Barkley had just 20 yards on 10 carries. Kansas City wasn’t going to let him break loose, forcing Jalen Hurts to put the ball in the air. By halftime, Barkley had a total of 12 carries for 31 yards (2.6 avg)—not exactly the explosive performance we’re used to seeing from him.
Pass Catchers – A Tale of Two Teams
While Jahan Dotson had a breakout night, he wasn’t the only one making plays. A.J. Brown added two catches for 34 yards and a touchdown, while Dallas Goedert had two grabs for 27 yards, and DeVonta Smith chipped in with two catches for 17 yards.
On the flip side, the Chiefs’ receiving corps was virtually invisible. JuJu Smith-Schuster had just two catches for 16 yards, Hollywood Brown had one for nine yards, and Travis Kelce? Completely shut out in the first half. If this was Kelce’s last game, it wasn’t exactly the way he’d want to go out.
Looking Ahead to the Second Half
With just 30 minutes separating the Eagles from a Super Bowl title, they had all the momentum. But if we’ve learned anything from watching Mahomes over the years, it’s that no lead is ever truly safe. The Chiefs had to come out in the second half with a completely new energy if they wanted to pull off another comeback.
Would Philadelphia finish the job? Or would Kansas City dig deep and pull off some second-half magic? Either way, football fans were in for a wild ride in the final two quarters.
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