Super Bowl LIX delivered a harsh reality for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, as their hopes for a historic three-peat were shattered by the Philadelphia Eagles. Rob Gronkowski, commenting during the game, noted that the Eagles‘ defensive strategy closely mirrored the one used by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV. That game plan, which helped stop Mahomes in 2021, proved to be just as effective in 2025.
During Super Bowl LV, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stunned the Chiefs with a dominant defense, led by Todd Bowles. The strategy was simple but effective: rush four players, apply consistent pressure on Mahomes, and force him to scramble and make mistakes.
A Familiar Strategy: Gronkowski’s Observations
This formula led to Mahomes being sacked three times and prevented him from throwing a touchdown pass, ultimately contributing to the Bucs‘ 31-9 victory.
Fast forward to Super Bowl LIX, and Gronkowski noticed the Eagles were executing a nearly identical game plan. The Eagles‘ defense, coordinated by Vic Fangio, sacked Mahomes six times and kept him under constant pressure, forcing him into two interceptions. Mahomes‘ performance was lackluster, with zero points scored in the first half and just three touchdowns in the game. By the time he found the end zone, the game was already out of reach. Gronkowski made it clear: “It was like the same blueprint we had when we (Bucs) beat them in the Super Bowl.”
The Eagles’ Championship Formula
Nick Sirianni and his coaching staff knew exactly what they were doing when they faced Mahomes. After executing a near-perfect game plan on defense, Sirianni’s offensive playbook also delivered a dominant performance. The Eagles‘ offense, under Kellen Moore’s guidance, ran the show. Jalen Hurts, who was named Super Bowl MVP, orchestrated a well-rounded attack that kept the Chiefs‘ defense on their heels.
Despite the successful season, Sirianni is already thinking about a potential repeat, especially with the future of Kellen Moore in question. Moore’s potential departure to take on a head coaching role with the New Orleans Saints could leave a gap in the Eagles‘ coaching staff, but Sirianni’s confidence remains high. If Moore stays for another season, the Eagles could continue their championship push.
A Defining Moment for Mahomes
Mahomes himself acknowledged the weight of the loss, stating that it would fuel him for the rest of his career. While some may argue that this defeat tarnishes his legacy, it’s clear that the blueprint to beat Mahomes exists-and the Eagles executed it flawlessly. Whether this loss will become a turning point or simply a learning experience for Mahomes remains to be seen. For now, the Eagles reign supreme, having toppled the Chiefs‘ three-peat dream and left an undeniable mark on Super Bowl history.