Total Pro Sports
Patrick Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time MVP, has had his share of legendary performances, but Super Bowl LIX was not one of them. The Philadelphia Eagles completely dismantled the Kansas City Chiefs, who were aiming for a historic three-peat, in a crushing 40-22 loss. The game exposed Mahomes’ struggles in a way rarely seen before, with the Eagles’ defense shutting him down at every turn.
Mahomes finished the game with three passing touchdowns, two interceptions, and 257 passing yards on 21-of-32 completions. However, most of his offensive production came when the game was already out of reach. The first half was historically bad for the star quarterback. The Eagles shut out the Chiefs 24-0 at halftime, which was only the third time in Mahomes’ career that his team failed to score in the first half. His 34 passing yards in the first two quarters were the lowest of his career, and he posted an abysmal -1.45 expected points added (EPA) per dropback, the worst by a quarterback in a Super Bowl since 2000. His passer rating at halftime stood at a shocking 10.7, with two interceptions and three sacks further compounding his struggles.
While Super Bowl LIX was undoubtedly Mahomes’ worst game, it wasn’t the only time he has struggled. In Super Bowl LV, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers completely overmatched Mahomes and the Chiefs, defeating them 31-9 and preventing them from scoring a single touchdown. The Buccaneers’ relentless defense pressured Mahomes all night, forcing him into two interceptions while limiting him to 270 passing yards. He was sacked three times and finished the game with a QBR of just 49.9, contrasting his usual elite performances. That game was his first Super Bowl loss and showcased how a dominant defense could neutralize even a generational talent like Mahomes.
Another forgettable outing came in Week 7 of the 2021 season against the Tennessee Titans. The Chiefs managed only three points in a humiliating 27-3 defeat. Mahomes threw for just 206 yards with no touchdowns, one interception, and a lost fumble while getting sacked four times. His inability to generate any offensive rhythm mirrored his struggles in his worst playoff performances, and this game remains one of his lowest regular-season moments.
Despite these off nights, Mahomes remains one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in NFL history. However, his Super Bowl LIX performance was historically poor. According to analytics, his EPA per dropback of -1.248 in that game was the worst for any Super Bowl quarterback since 2000. To put that into perspective, it was over four times worse than the second-lowest mark recorded during that period. Furthermore, he was sacked a career-high six times, surpassing his previous record of five sacks in a single game. The Eagles’ defensive front, led by Josh Sweat, Milton...
