The Ten Players That Won And Lost Super Bowl LIX For Their Team

Super Bowl LIX is in the books. Here are the players that won or lost the game for their teams

Super Bowl LIX is in the books, and I wish I could say that it was a classic. Unfortunately, a 40-22 victory by the Philadelphia Eagles over the Kansas City Chiefs was pretty much decided by halftime. The Eagles led 34-0 at one point, and the outcome was never in doubt past the early stages of the game. The Eagles established themselves as one of the most complete Super Bowl champions in recent memory.

Why did the game play out the way it played out? These ten players made huge impacts on the game, for better or worse.

Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes

Patrick Mahomes is one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. He has a real argument for being the second-best quarterback of all-time already. But, he was nowhere near that level on Sunday. Yes, the offensive line was really bad, but Mahomes was so bad in the first half of Super Bowl. His first-half stat line of 6/14 for 33 yards and two interceptions is one of the worst ever. The line didn’t help him out, but he was downright awful when the game was still in reach.

Kansas City Chiefs Guard Mike Caliendo

Caliendo is a backup that’s been thrust into action due to the injury and performance situation at tackle that forced All-Pro guard Joe Thuney to left tackle. That being said, he was absolutely awful on Sunday. His PFF grade of 30 shows just how bad he was. Caliendo was routinely beat both run blocking and pass blocking, and was frequently bull rushed into the lap of Patrick Mahomes.

Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Lineman Joe Thuney

Thuney is one of the best guards in the league. Given the situation at left tackle for Kansas City, they moved him out to left tackle late in the season. He held up out there reasonably well for a while. But, he was absolutely dominated on Sunday. Thuney gave up 7 pressures, 6 hurries, and a sack. The thing about guards is that there’s usually a reason they’re not playing tackle. Joe Thuney was a great example of that on Sunday.

Kansas City Chiefs Cornerback Jaylen Watson

Watson had a solid year for Kansas City. But, he was simply not good on Sunday. He was beaten badly on the two biggest pass plays of the game for Philadelphia. First, Jahan Dotson beat him on a double-move in the first quarter that set up a Brotherly Shove touchdown. Then, Devonta Smith ran right be him in the 3rd quarter to go up 34-0. It was not his best day.

Kansas City Chiefs Tight End Travis Kelce

Those that are saying Kelce needs to retire are wrong. He had nearly 1000 yards in the regular season and postseason combined. But, he was not good on Sunday. Kelce struggled to get open, and had a crushing drop on a ball thrown a bit behind him, but a ball he’s caught throughout his career, early in the game. He needed to have a big game for the Chiefs to win, and he didn’t.

Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts

Outside of an ill-advised interception early on that cost the Eagles a field goal, Jalen Hurts was magnificent. The Chiefs focused on shutting down Saquon Barkley, and Hurts made them pay. He had 294 total yards and 3 touchdowns, and was incredibly accurate all game. His 72 rushing yards led all rushers, as well.

Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver DeVonta Smith

Everyone will remember Smith’s long touchdown to go up 34-0, and that play will be shown on Philadelphia hype videos forever. But, he was so steady throughout the game, kept the chains moving, and led the team in receiving.

Philadelphia Eagles Cornerback Cooper DeJean

Patrick Mahomes had come back from ten-point deficits in all three of his Super Bowl wins, so when the game was 10-0 in Philadelphia’s favor in the first half, nobody was counting the Chiefs out of it. But, when Cooper DeJean stepped in front of a Mahomes pass and took it all the way for a pick-six. That play put the Eagles firmly in control, and they never looked back.

Philadelphia Eagles Linebacker Oren Burks

Burks was absolutely terrific on Sunday. He was all over the field in pass coverage and took away the Chiefs’ quick game over the middle. That made Patrick Mahomes hold on to the ball a split second longer and let a dominant pass rush get home. His imapact won’t show up on the stat sheet, but Burks was terrific.

Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Tackle Milton Williams

You could highlight any of the players on the Philadelphia Eagles front. Josh Sweat, especially, had a strong game. But, Williams was dominant. He pushed the pocket all night, and had two huge sacks as the Eagles dominated Kansas City in the trenches all night.