Philadelphia Eagles Shut Out Kansas City Chiefs in Second Half, Win Super Bowl Rematch
The Philadelphia Eagles were hardly playing into the "revenge" narrative that surrounded Monday night's Super Bowl rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead.
But the team might be lying if they said Monday's win didn't taste like some savory payback.
Both sides didn't have their prettiest game of the season by any means, but the Eagles (9-1) came up big in the fourth quarter and completed a second-half shutout to pull off a 21-17 win over the Chiefs (7-3) on the road to stay atop the NFC.
"We showed up when it mattered the most. ... We found a way," Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said on ESPN's postgame.
Hurts bounced back from a poor first half that saw him take five sacks and was key for Philly when the team needed it most. He led a crucial fourth-quarter drive that was highlighted by two big throws to DeVonta Smith before Hurts finished it off with a signature Brotherly Shove touchdown with 6:20 left in the fourth to give Philly what turned out to be the game-winning score.
His two rushing touchdowns in the second half marked the only score for either team in the final two quarters. Hurts finished 14 of 22 passing for 150 yards and one interception while adding 12 carries for 29 yards and the two scores.
Philadelphia Eagles running back D'Andre Swift (0) runs the ball against Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay (50) and defensive end George Karlaftis (56) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead.
© Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY
Eagles running back D'Andre Swift scored Philly's first touchdown of the night on a four-yard run in the first quarter. He finished with 12 carries for 76 yards and three catches for 31 yards. Smith led the Eagles with six grabs for 99 yards, which was highlighted by the 41-yard grab he had that set up Hurts' go-ahead touchdown run at the one-yard line.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had Kansas City up 17-7 at halftime after touchdown passes to Justin Watson and Travis Kelce, but couldn't get it going in the second half as the Chiefs went scoreless. While Kansas City held a 17-14 lead at the start of the fourth with a chance to put it away, Kelce fumbled in the red zone at thw 14-yard line. The Eagles went three-and-out on the ensuing possession, but the Chiefs wouldn't reach the red zone for the rest of the night.
Mahomes went 24 of 43 passing for 177 yards, two touchdowns and one pick. Watson led Kansas City with five grabs for 53 yards while Kelce had a game-high seven catches for 44 yards.
On Kansas City's final drive, receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling dropped a potential go-ahead 51-yard touchdown pass with 1:50 left. The Chiefs had their chances, but the Eagles did what they've done all season and found a way to win.
Eagles star receiver A.J. Brown was completely shut out by the Chiefs defense, as he was held to just one catch for eight yards
But while the Chiefs defense got tons of early credit for how they harassed Hurts, the Eagles defense helped close things out in the second half. Overall, Philly forced four three-and-outs and two turnovers.
The Eagles will host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in another tough matchup with an AFC foe.
