Chiefs Super Bowl notebook: clutch Kelce, protecting Patrick Mahomes and interceptions
Travis Kelce balled the last time he faced the San Francisco 49ers.
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end had eight catches for 114 yards when the two teams faced off in 2018.
Kelce didn’t quite have the same luck Sunday. The Niners managed to hold Kelce to only four receptions and 33 yards through three quarters.
The fourth, however, was a different story. On a crucial drive midway through the quarter, Kelce drew a defensive pass interference then scored a touchdown to put the Chiefs within three.
Protecting Mahomes
The biggest question coming into Sunday was whether the Chiefs’ offensive line could keep Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes upright.
They did — but only for so long. The Chiefs allowed three sacks, tying their second-highest total of the season.
Niners defensive ends DeForest Buckner and Nick Bosa led the way with 1.5 and 1 sacks, respectively. Nose tackle Eric Mitchell added another half sack
Picked off
Patrick Mahomes’ interception-less playoffs ended midway through third quarter.
Niners linebacker Fred Warner picked off the Chiefs quarterback on their first drive of the half. Mahomes then threw another interception on the following series.
Prior to first interception, Mahomes had thrown 90 passes without a pick. The offense would capitalize on that turnover, scoring a touchdown that put them up 20-10.
Comeback kids
The Chiefs had trailed in three straight games coming into the Super Bowl. Sunday was no different.
A field goal put the Niners up 3-0 early in the first quarter. But their lead didn’t last long — Mahomes responded with a touchdown of his own on the following drive.
The Chiefs have seemed to make a habit of falling behind. Despite entering Sunday with a eight-game win streak, they have now trailed in five of those games, according to ESPN’s Heather Burns.
THIS & THAT
Mecole Hardman arrived to Sunday’s game in a “Top Gun” flight suit.
Mahomes joined Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith as the only two players in NFL History to win both a MVP award and a Super Bowl under the age of 25, according to ESPN.
