The drive, beautifully sculpted in Las Vegas, an all-timer orchestrated by a potential GOAT who now leads a dynasty, started on the 25-yard line. Super Bowl LVIII had reached overtime, just the second extra session in history, and the Kansas City Chiefs, who trailed the San Francisco 49ers 22-19, needed a field goal to extend the game. With 75 more yards and a touchdown, the Chiefs and their magician of a quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, would clinch a third comeback Super Bowl win in five seasons, the first back-to-back Super Bowl victories in two decades, and a new standard of NFL excellence.
The Chiefs, quarterbacked by Mahomes and coached by Andy Reid, could take the baton from Tom Brady and Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, and redefine the 21st century of football.
So Mahomes went to work. He was immaculate in a do-or-die moment. On a fourth and one from KC’s own 34, on the brink of elimination, Mahomes ran eight yards for a first down. He converted a third and six with his arm, hitting rookie Rashee Rice with a 13-yard pass play. He converted another third down with his legs, scrambling 19 more yards to put the ball on the San Francisco 13, a game-winning touchdown now an inevitability. A pass up the middle to Travis Kelce got the ball to the three-yard line, for another first down.
Then wide receiver Mecole Hardman started to run in motion, before he changed directions. Mahomes took the snap, faked a run, and flicked the ball to Hardman, wide open in the flat. “I blacked out when I caught the ball,” Hardman said afterwards. The Chiefs won it on a walk off touchdown.
On the drive—worthy of being christened “The Drive”—Mahomes did not throw a single incomplete pass. He went eight for eight, for 42 passing yards. He ran for 27 more. The arm and legs of Mahomes accounted for 69 of the 75 Super Bowl-winning yards.
All the Niners players could do was sit on their bench, despondent, letting the confetti fall on their heads.
Mahomes won his…
