NFL Hokies: Super Bowl LIX Recap

Under the bright lights of Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Super Bowl LIX delivered a showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs. With a star-studded crowd watching, the Eagles' dominant defense stifled Kansas City’s hopes of a historic three-peat, shutting down offensive coordinator Matt Nagy’s unit in a commanding 40-22 victory. While the Chiefs fell short, one NFL Hokie seized the moment, representing his talent homed in Blacksburg on the sport’s grandest stage. As the 2024 NFL season comes to a close, here’s a final NFL Hokies breakdown of the championship game, presented by Coca-Cola. 

For the second time in three seasons, the Chiefs and Eagles rekindled their Super Bowl rivalry from 2023. This year, the outcome was distinctly different. One key addition for Philadelphia was Saquon Barkley, who provided a major boost to the offense in his first season with the team. The 2024 Offensive Player of the Year finished the regular season with 2,005 rushing yards, further solidifying his status as one of the league’s premier running backs. 

However, the Chiefs’ defense successfully limited Barkley’s impact, holding him to a modest 57 rushing yards—a surprising figure for a player who had recorded seven touchdown runs of 60-plus yards in-season. Despite this, his postseason performance allowed him to break the NFL’s single-season rushing record (including playoffs), surpassing Terrell Davis’ long-standing mark of 2,476 yards. 

If someone had told Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo before the game that his defense would hold Barkley to just 2.3 yards per carry, he might have already been planning where to display another Super Bowl ring. However, Philadelphia’s offense still found ways to strike, thanks in large part to quarterback Jalen Hurts. 

Hurts, who took home Super Bowl MVP honors, threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns while adding another score on a signature "tush push." One of the few defenders to make an impact in slowing him down was Virginia Tech’s own Chamarri Conner. The former Hokie safety finished with six total tackles, including two tackles for loss—one against Hurts himself. Conner’s performance earned him a 71.8 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) in his second career Super Bowl appearance, giving Hokie fans something to celebrate despite Kansas City's loss. 

While Hurts played a crucial role offensively, it was the Eagles’ defense that ultimately dictated the game. Philadelphia held superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes to one of his lowest passing grades of the season and smothered the Chiefs' offense from the outset. Mahomes averaged just 6.7 yards per pass attempt, while Kansas City’s rushing attack was limited to 3.4 yards per carry outside of late-game possessions. At halftime, Mahomes’ PFF passing grade stood at a mere 28.2, and the Chiefs failed to cross midfield until the closing moments of the third quarter. 

Mahomes concluded the game completing 21 of 32 passes for 257 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. The Eagles’ pass rush was a decisive factor, sacking Mahomes six times—the highest total he has endured in a single game during his professional career. Rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean recorded a pick-six, capitalizing on Mahomes’s misfire in the second quarter. Meanwhile, Pro Bowl defensive end Josh Sweat delivered 2.5 sacks, including a critical pressure that led to Mahomes’ second interception, secured by linebacker Zach Baun. 

With their victory in Super Bowl LIX, the Eagles reinforced their standing among the NFL’s top contenders, executing a balanced game plan that combined defensive pressure with timely offensive execution. The team’s ability to neutralize Kansas City's offensive attack and seize key moments defined their championship effort. For the Chiefs, the loss serves as a reminder of the challenges in maintaining dominance, as even the league’s most consistent powerhouse is not immune to setbacks. 

For Hokie fans, Chamarri Conner’s impact was a bright spot, showcasing his continued development as a key defensive asset. As the 2024 season officially comes to a close, the focus now shifts to the offseason, where teams will regroup, players will refine their skills, and the groundwork will be laid for another pursuit of a title in the year ahead. Fans looking to stay informed throughout the pre-draft process are encouraged to sign up for Key Plays for exclusive updates and insights.