The 2023-24 NFL football season ended in a thriller that took five quarters to complete and brought the first back to back win in 20 years. In a feat many thought would never happen, the Super Bowl was held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
After a slow start that had a score of 10-3 at the end of the first half, the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs end the fourth quarter in a 19-19 tie in a game that saw some very un-Mahomes like behaviour from Patrick Mahomes who was sacked multiple times and frequently pressured by 49er defenders.
After a controversial playoff win by the Chiefs in overtime against the Buffalo Bills in 2021, the NFL made a rule change in overtime play during the playoffs that includes the Super Bowl. Under the new rules both teams get a chance to possess the ball.
After winning the coin toss to start overtime play, they lost the opening toss, the 49ers chose to take the ball first. They took the ball down the field but ended up kicking a 53-yard field goal.
The Chiefs then had the chance to tie or win the game. Penalties and a fourth down conversion put the Chiefs on the three yard line with just six seconds remaining in the quarter. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw a pass to Mecole Hardmen that resulted in a touchdown to win the game 25-22.
Grammy Award winning entertainer Usher provided the halftime entertainment and packed the 13 minute show with music, dancing, skating, and some musical guests. Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Lil Jon, and Ludacris were all a part of the show.
Usher and friends; along with the thrilling play on the field, made for a very entertaining end to the season.
The NFL will gather again for the annual draft at the end of April in what is sure to be a thrilling event as teams that struggled this past season look to shore up the rosters.