Jim Alexander: Well, we’ve survived another over-the-top Super Bowl week – Wretched Excess LVIII, let’s say, this one in the capital of that particular concept. And along with all of the side issues and conversation points and the normal Things That Have Nothing To Do With Football that make the Super Bowl the national talking point that it is, we have a real second-guess that actually had to do with winning or losing. And, perhaps, an explanation.
The 49ers, as we all know, won the toss and took the first possession of overtime. Under the old overtime rules – team that scores first wins – that’s a no-brainer, and even under recent modifications it still seemed to be the way to go. But the latest tweak, guaranteeing at least one possession for each team unless there was a defensive touchdown on the first possession, made it more logical to let the other guys go first and then know exactly what was needed to win.
One theory at the time was that Kyle Shanahan wanted the ball first because his defense was worn out, which made sense. (Both defenses were fatigued by that point.) Another rationalization was that the 49ers were thinking ahead to the third possession of OT, given that if it came to that point it would be sudden death.
But how about this: According to Lindsay Jones of The Ringer, the Chiefs not only were aware of the new rules but had discussed them as early as training camp, and by this point were fully conversant with their options. But several 49ers players said they were not aware of the tweaks, and defensive lineman Arik Armstead said he only learned it when they posted the updated rules on the stadium video board.
It’s all in the details, right?
Mirjam Swanson: Always is.
When this discussion began at my house last night, it felt very hindsight-y – like, of course we’re going to think the other way was the way to go when Shanahan’s decision didn’t work.
But the more I think about it, the more it seems you’re right: Before you can enjoy an advantage in sudden death, you have to get to sudden death.
You play LeBron 40 minutes in Game 6 if it means forcing a Game 7 and worry about it later. You throw your ace in relief to extend a series. You’ve just got to give yourself as many chances and as much information as possible to win.
And no one ought to want to give Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid what is essentially an extra down to work with when they know exactly what they need to do with it: “We need a TD? Cool.” Especially not with a championship game on the line. Especially knowing … how prepared they’re going to be.
Did you enjoy the game, otherwise, Jim?
Jim: After a while. Early on, it was reminding me way too much of five years ago in Atlanta, and that unbearable slog between the Patriots and Rams that ended 13-3. (As an aside, I think the most notable celebrity in Mercedes Benz Stadium that night was Danny Trejo.) But it turned out to be another compelling Super Bowl, and we’ve had a bunch of those lately, enough so that we can forget all those years when the final game of the season was annually a blowout – or at least seemed that way – and everyone wondered if the two-week break between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl was to blame.
The game itself was really good. The side issues – Travis Kelce blowing up at Andy Reid on the Chiefs’ sideline, Dre Greenlaw injuring his Achilles as he was running onto the field – were covered well by CBS. (Contrary to popular opinion, I didn’t think Tony Romo talked too much.) And, of course, we had the necessary Taylor Swift shots, and if that helps introduce the game to a new generation of adolescent girls, it’s a win/win.
As for the other stuff, I skipped the halftime show, as I always do; it’s not aimed at my demographic. (Even with the two Super Bowls I covered on-site, at Atlanta and at SoFi two years ago, I found other things to do at halftime). As for the ads, the only non-religious, non-commercial spot that was halfway memorable was the Lionel Messi spot – and it’s also the only one where I remember what was being advertised, Michelob Ultra. (As for the “Jesus Gets Us” and RFK Jr. spots, I’ll keep my judgment of those to myself.)
Otherwise, it was a lot of, “You spent $7 million for a 30-second spot on this?”
Which is why, essentially, I may be a minority. I’m there for the game, period. And I think the part that most of us have forgotten is that this wasn’t KC’s best team of this run, not close. It certainly wasn’t the Chiefs’ most effective offensive line. But this was the case of a team with strong veteran leadership bringing their best when their best was needed most.
Mirjam: The halftime show was fun! I’m more Erykah Badu than Usher, but I’m a sucker for a great performance – whether there’s a score to be kept or not, or an artist I’d pay to see or not. And, I promise, yesterday’s was a good one.
And so was the game! Slow burn, for sure, but what a payoff. Drama, that decision to chew over, and now a full-on dynasty, no?
It’s so incredibly hard to repeat in the NFL, and to stack as much success as KC has in the past few years? The Chiefs becoming the first back-to-back champion since the New England Patriots did it nearly 20 years ago? Winning a third title in five seasons? And doing it with know-how and will power but not their strongest team?
I get why I see little kids running around L.A. in No. 15 jerseys. Mahomes deserves the Michael Jordan comps.
As for the commercials? I feel like maybe I’ve aged out of those. When I was a kid, we’d laugh and laugh and talk about them and reenact so many of those Super Bowl ads for days. Tell me, Jim, is it us … or is it them (the ads)?
Jim: It’s them.
A couple more observations: Maybe it’s just my perception, but the Chiefs are a far more likable dynasty-in-progress than the Patriots were, largely because Andy Reid – L.A.’s own, by the way, pride of Marshall High School – is a head coach with actual human qualities, and it’s easy to root for Mahomes. Maybe a few State Farm commercials might have humanized Belichick and Brady … or else they might have sent clients in droves to other insurance agencies.
And then there’s this: The over/under that was established for Reba McEntire’s rendition of the National Anthem (which was awesome, incidentally) was 86.5 seconds. She took 95 seconds. I’m not sure how much money was wagered, but I suspect a good amount changed hands. And let’s face it: Not only do Super Bowls crown champions, but they’re good for commerce.
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Mirjam: And what a grand American tradition that is.
Last question for you: Are you sold on the Chiefs doing it again next year?
Jim: Every season is its own separate story, the casts and the main characters shifting from year to year, which is part of why dynasties are so significant and so rare. And the most intriguing aspect of the 2024 NFL season, to me, is to see how (or if) Jim Harbaugh transforms the Chargers, and what that does to the balance of power in the AFC West.
Mahomes won his first Super Bowl in his third NFL season, 2019. Justin Herbert will be entering his fifth NFL season this coming fall. If he’s going to fulfill his immense potential, now is the time. And so I’m really looking forward to those two meetings next fall.