For the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, a season begins with a 0-2 record. It’s a reality so strange it echoes back to 2014, a time of Alex Smith and a young Travis Kelce. As the analytics site The 33rd Team noted, “The Chiefs are 0-2 for the first time in Patrick Mahomes’ career, and the second time in Andy Reid’s tenure as HC.”

This Super Bowl rematch was never going to be a repeat of February’s offensive fireworks. This was a bare-knuckle brawl, a 20-17 Eagles victory carved out of sheer will. As one observer put it, the Eagles “had to fight for every inch.” They absorbed blows, bent but didn’t break, and in the moment of truth, “a rookie saved the Eagles.” This wasn’t a show of dominance; it was a masterclass in resilience, a quality the Chiefs have famously owned for years.

The five takeaways:

1) An Offense built on toughness

The Eagles’ offense was a grind. Jalen Hurts’ final line, 15 of 22 for a mere 101 yards, tells the story of a night where every yard was a battle. Saquon Barkley hammered away for 88 yards on 22 carries, and A.J. Brown, though involved early with 5 catches, was limited to just 27 yards. This was winning ugly.

It was Hurts getting practically clothes-lined and DeVonta Smith leaving with a back injury, only to return for a clutch 28-yard catch that set up the decisive score. It was the ‘tush push,’ not once but multiple times, a brutal, effective exclamation point on a night about toughness. ‘The Eagles came into Kansas City and took their share of hits and came away with a hard-fought victory.’ This is how you stay on top.

2) Kelce’s frustration boils over post Mahomes TD

Even when the Chiefs struck, the vibe was off. After Mahomes’ 13-yard scramble gave KC a 10-7 lead in the second quarter, the sideline camera found a frustrated Kelce. The All-Pro tight end, feeling the weight of a sputtering offense, threw something on the ground and said, ‘I’m sick of this sh!t.’

3) A Rookie’s revelation

With the game hanging in the balance early in the fourth quarter, Patrick Mahomes did what he always does: he drove the Chiefs downfield, targeting his security blanket, Travis Kelce, at the goal line. Then, the script flipped. Rookie safety Drew Mukuba, a second-round pick whose preseason was marked by a 75-yard pick-six, read the play perfectly.

Kelce juggled the pass, and Mukuba snatched his opportunity, intercepting Mahomes and returning it 41 yards. This was the game’s only turnover, and it was monumental. ‘The Eagles desperately needed a turnover, and Mukuba delivered, ‘ turning potential Chiefs glory into Eagles momentum.

4) Elliott’s redemption arc

What a difference a year makes. After a puzzling 2024 season where Jake Elliott missed his first six field goals from 50 or more yards, the kicker has found his groove. He’s a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond 50 this year, and each kick against the Chiefs was a dagger.

His 57-yarder and a 51-yarder didn’t just add points; Each one broke a tie and gave the Eagles a lead.’ In a defensive slugfest, Elliott’s leg was the consistent, reliable weapon that kept Philadelphia in front.

5) The lingering question around A.J. Brown

The Eagles made a conscious effort to force-feed Brown after his quiet Week 1, with Hurts’ first pass going his way for a 7-yard gain. Yet, the explosive plays never materialized; his longest catch went for just 8 yards. While the win overshadows individual stat lines, it does raise the question about Brown’s rhythm within the offense early this season. For a receiver of his caliber, this slow start is unusual, but in this win, it was a sacrifice the offense was willing to make.

The final minutes provided a poetic finish with the support of Michael Strahan. After a Mahomes 49-yard TD to Tyquan Thornton made it a 3-point game with 3 minutes left, the ensuing onside kick failed. The Eagles offense took the field with one job: ice the game. And they did it their way. Facing a critical 3rd-and-1, they lined up for one final ‘tush push.’ Hurts surged forward, the pile moved, and the Eagles sealed a hard-fought win. It was a fitting end to a gritty, physical play closing out a gritty, physical game, leaving the Chiefs in an unfamiliar, early-season hole, with some fans even calling for Reid’s firing.