For a team that spent the entire season looking surprisingly mediocre, the Kansas City Chiefs somehow found their way back to the Super Bowl, only to finally come up short. Facing a dominant opponent, the Chiefs struggled to find rhythm, with their offense stalling for much of the game. Unlike past years, where a timely flag seemed to swing things their way, the referees let them play this time, leveling the playing field. And without those crucial calls to bail them out, Kansas City’s weaknesses were laid bare.

The Chiefs’ offense, which had been questionable all season, was exposed once again when it mattered most. Without the usual game-saving theatrics (or a suspiciously well-timed flag), Kansas City struggled to put together consistent drives. Their defense, which had carried them through much of the season, eventually broke down under pressure. Turns out, when the game isn’t handed to them on a silver platter, things get a little harder.

The Eagles’ offense on the other hand was unstoppable, amassing 345 total yards, 135 on the ground and 199 through the air, soaring to a commanding 40-22 victory. Their defense was equally formidable, sacking Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes six times and forcing multiple turnovers, limiting the Chiefs to just 11 first downs and delaying their first touchdown until the third quarter.

And then there was the Taylor Swift moment. Despite being the undisputed queen of 2023, even she wasn’t immune to the Super Bowl crowd’s reaction. As cameras panned to her in the stands, a wave of boos echoed throughout the stadium, perhaps a reflection of NFL fans growing tired of the endless pop culture-NFL crossover. Or maybe, just maybe, the football purists had finally had enough.

For 49ers fans still bitter about last year’s Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs, this was poetic justice. Watching them come up short, without the help of a last-minute officiating gift, was the kind of satisfying ending that made this year’s Super Bowl worth watching.