The Eagles defense suffocated Patrick Mahomes in what was a dominating first-half performance in the Super Bowl, highlighted by an unforgettable birthday gift for Cooper DeJean.
Vic Fangio’s group held the two-time defending champs to just 14 total yards through their first six drives of the game, sacking Mahomes three times while forcing four punts and a back-breaking pick six, which DeJean secured after Philly’s relentless pass rush once again hurried Mahomes out of the pocket, forcing him to make a downfield throw on the move.
DeJean read it the whole way, made the easy interception, and returned it 38 yards to the house to break the game open midway through the second quarter, turning a 10-0 advantage into a 17-0 rout on DeJean’s 22nd birthday, stunning the Chiefs fans in attendance hoping to witness the first three-peat in NFL history.
Instead, the Birds looked set to exact revenge for their Super Bowl defeat at the hands of the Chiefs two seasons prior, not giving Mahomes an ounce of space in the pocket.
When Kansas City finally got the ball back and forced a punt, Philly picked off Mahomes on the first play of the ensuing drive, as All-Pro Zack Braun made a diving interception with less than two minutes to go in the half, and the Eagles found the end zone again moments later.
The Eagles allowed the second-fewest passing yards in the league during the regular season, but were just a middle-of-the-pack team in terms of sacks. That changed through the first 30 minutes of play in Super Bowl LIX.