The Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles are set to face off in Super Bowl LVII, marking the first time in NFL history that both teams will have Black starting quarterbacks. The Chiefs secured their place in the championship game with a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship, while the Eagles defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31-7 in the NFC Championship.
Facts About Both Teams
Kansas City Chiefs
- The team was known as Dallas Texans, it was founded in 1960. Later in 1963, they became the Kansas City Chiefs.
- The Chiefs have won three AFL championships and one Super Bowl championship in Super Bowl IV, which was played on January 11, 1970.
- The team is led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who became the third African American quarterback to win the Super Bowl in 2020.
- The Chiefs have a rich history of success and have had many notable players throughout their history, including Len Dawson, Bobby Bell, Willie Lanier, Tony Gonzalez, and Derrick Thomas.
Philadelphia Eagles
- The team was founded in 1933 and has won three NFL championships, including Super Bowl LII on February 4, 2018.
- Their home games are played at Lincoln Financial Field, in South Philadelphia.
- The team is led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, who became the starting quarterback in the 2020 season.
- The Eagles have a proud history and have had many notable players throughout their history, including Chuck Bednarik, Reggie White, Brian Dawkins, Donovan McNabb, and Brian Westbrook.
Kansas City Chiefs Overcome Bengals in Back-and-Forth Battle
The Chiefs and Bengals engaged in a highly competitive battle at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, with the game coming down to the wire. Despite suffering a high ankle sprain in last week’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, quarterback Patrick Mahomes led the team to victory.
Kansas City got off to an early lead with two field goals and took a 13-3 lead into halftime after Mahomes connected with tight end Travis Kelce. The Bengals cut the deficit to 13-6 before halftime with a field goal of their own.
In the second half, the Bengals tied the game up with a 27-yard touchdown from quarterback Joe Burrow to wide receiver Tee Higgins, but Mahomes and the Chiefs responded with a laser touchdown throw to Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The Chiefs defense shut down the Bengals until the first play of the fourth quarter when Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase for a 35-yard strike. Two plays later, the Bengals tied the game with a 2-yard touchdown run by running back Samaje Perine.
With the score tied at 20 and less than a minute left, the Chiefs sacked Burrow and got the ball back. Returner Skyy Moore returned the Bengals punt 29 yards, putting the Chiefs in field goal range after a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty was called on Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai for pushing Mahomes out of bounds. Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker then knocked down the 45-yard field goal to send the Chiefs back to the Super Bowl for the third time in four seasons.
Philadelphia Eagles Dominate 49ers in NFC Championship
The Eagles advanced to the championship game for the first time since the 2017-18 season with a dominant 31-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The Eagles scored on their first possession and didn’t look back, while the 49ers struggled to put any points on the board.
Rookie starting quarterback Brock Purdy suffered a right elbow injury in the first quarter and was momentarily replaced by the fourth-string quarterback for the 49ers. Playing on the injured elbow, Purdy re-entered the game, but the 49ers offense continued to struggle. Meanwhile, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia run game dominated the 49ers defense, rushing for 148 yards and scoring all four touchdowns on the ground. With his rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, Hurts passed Cameron Newton for the most rushing touchdowns in a single season by a quarterback in NFL history, including playoffs.
A Historic Showdown
The finale of Super Bowl LVII on February 12 will be a historic matchup, with both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles having Black starting quarterbacks. Patrick Mahomes, who became the third Black quarterback to win the Super Bowl in 2020, aims to become the first Black quarterback to win multiple Super Bowls. Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts could become the fourth Black quarterback to win the Lombardi Trophy.
This year’s Super Bowl is sure to be a highly anticipated and unforgettable showdown between two talented and historic teams.
