Kansas City
Chiefs' Frank Clark (55) and Ben
Niemann celebrate over San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo
during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game Sunday, Feb. 2,
2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Posted: Sun
9:54 PM, Feb 02, 2020 |
Updated:
Sun 11:13 PM, Feb 02, 2020
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (WIFR) -- For the third
straight postseason game, the Chiefs erased a double-digit deficit to win by
double digits. This time, it happened in Super Bowl LIV, giving Kansas City its
first Super Bowl championship since 1969.
Trailing
20-10 to start the fourth, Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs on three straight
touchdown drives in less than six minutes of possession time. Mahomes finished
the day 26 of 42, 286 yards, 2 touchdowns and two interceptions. It was the
first time all season the Super Bowl MVP threw two or more interceptions in a
single game.
Sycamore High School grad Ben Niemann was credited
with just a half tackle, but the former Spartan had a key play in the fourth
quarter. With San Francisco hanging onto a 20-17 lead, Jimmy Garoppolo dropped
back to pass on 3rd & 25 from their own 25. Niemann got in the face of the
quarterback and forced an errant throw. It was the 49ers first three and out of
the game.
Mahomes
and company quickly went to work, drove down the field in 2:26 and put the
Chiefs ahead for good.
Garoppolo finished
the day 20 of 31 for 219 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. San
Francisco's running attack was held in check as well. After setting a
postseason franchise record 220 yards against the Packers, Raheem Mostert led
the Niners with just 58 yards against the Chiefs defense.
San
Francisco safety and Northern Illinois University alum Jimmy Ward led all
players with ten total tackles.
This was
also Chiefs head coach Andy Reid's first Super Bowl victory. Reid has been a
NFL head coach since 1999.