On February 12, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs met in Super Bowl LVII. The game end in a 38-35 victory for the Chiefs, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes won Super Bowl Most Valuable Player.
This game was one of the best matchups in recent Super Bowl History, a back-and-forth scoring fest right up until the end. The Eagles dominated the first half, going up 24-14 at halftime. Many were surprised by the Eagles’ early lead, and expected a closer game in the first half.
After a Super Bowl halftime show that is sure to be a favorite of many, the Chiefs started the second half with the ball. This drive was quick and methodical, resulting in a one-yard touchdown run by Chiefs rookie running back Isiah Pacheco to make the score 24-21. After the Eagles’ possession resulted in a field goal, the Chiefs got the ball back. Another quick Chiefs drive resulted in a touchdown to wide receiver Kadarius Toney. With five minutes left the Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts hit second receiver Devonta Smith in stride at the two yard line. This set up a rushing touchdown but Hurts followed by a rushing two point conversion. The game was now tied 35-35 with 5:15 left on the clock, which set up an ending for the ages.
Fast forward three and a half minutes, and the Chiefs were facing a third and eight in makeable field goal range. Mahomes dropped back to pass, and overthrew receiver Juju Smith-Schuster. It seemed that the Eagles were going to get the ball back down three with 1:48 left in the game.
Referee Carl Cheffers made the call: holding on the defense resulting in an automatic first down. This call allowed the Chiefs to kick the game winning field goal with almost no time on the clock. When asked about the controversial penalty, Charlie Kellett ’24 said, “How does that decide the entire season?” Jasper Perlis ’24 stated that, “the way the refs handled the final two minutes of this game and the AFC championship should not be tolerated by the National Football League”.
Many CA students would agree that this was a sad way to end a great NFL season, and that the NFL should look into the poor officiating in some of the most important games of the year.