Football fans are still talking about it. Honestly, it feels like it happened a decade ago and just yesterday at the same time. If you’re trying to remember who won the Super Bowl last year 2024, the answer is the Kansas City Chiefs. They didn't just win; they cemented a dynasty in a game that felt like a heart attack for four straight hours.
It was February 11, 2024. Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas was vibrating. The San Francisco 49ers had the Chiefs on the ropes for a massive chunk of the night, but you can never, ever count out Patrick Mahomes. The final score sat at 25-22.
The Chiefs vs. 49ers: A Vegas Thriller
This wasn't some blowout. It was a grind. For the first half, it looked like Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers had finally figured out the puzzle. Their defense was suffocating. Brock Purdy was moving the chains. Christian McCaffrey was doing Christian McCaffrey things—specifically, catching a 21-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Jauan Jennings on a wild trick play that left the Chiefs’ secondary looking at each other in confusion.
Kansas City looked flat. Travis Kelce was visibly frustrated on the sideline, even bumping into head coach Andy Reid in a moment that went viral instantly. They trailed 10-3 at halftime.
Then the second half started and things got weird.
Mahomes threw an interception early in the third. It felt like the 49ers' game to lose. But the Chiefs’ defense, led by Steve Spagnuolo, refused to break. They kept the score close enough for Mahomes to do what he does best: play hero ball when the clock starts ticking down.
Why the 2024 Win Was Historically Weird
We have to talk about the special teams. Usually, the guys who kick and punt are the background characters. Not this time.
- The Record-Breaking Kicks: Jake Moody (49ers) set a Super Bowl record with a 55-yard field goal. It lasted about an hour. Harrison Butker (Chiefs) then smashed it with a 57-yarder later in the game.
- The Muffed Punt: A punt hit a 49ers player’s leg by accident. The Chiefs recovered. That single mistake basically handed Kansas City a touchdown and the lead.
- The Blocked PAT: After the 49ers scored a touchdown in the fourth, Leo Chenal blocked the extra point. That one point was the difference between the game ending in regulation and going to overtime.
Who Won the Super Bowl Last Year 2024 in Overtime?
Overtime in the Super Bowl is rare. This was only the second time it ever happened. Under the new playoff rules, both teams were guaranteed a chance to possess the ball.
The 49ers won the toss. They took the ball first. They marched down the field but stalled out near the end zone. They settled for a field goal to go up 22-19. In that moment, the math was simple: if Mahomes didn't score, the 49ers were world champs.
What followed was a masterclass. Mahomes used his legs. He used his brain. On a crucial 4th-and-1, he scrambled for a first down that kept the season alive. Then, with 3 seconds left in the first overtime period, he rolled right and flipped a tiny 3-yard pass to Mecole Hardman.
Touchdown. Game over. 25-22.
Hardman later admitted he didn't even realize the game was over when he caught it. He just knew he was in the end zone.
Key Stats From the Big Game
- Patrick Mahomes: 333 passing yards, 2 TDs, 66 rushing yards (MVP).
- Travis Kelce: 9 catches for 93 yards (mostly in the second half).
- Christian McCaffrey: 80 rushing yards, 80 receiving yards, 1 TD.
- Brock Purdy: 255 passing yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs.
The 49ers played a nearly perfect game, but "nearly" doesn't beat the Chiefs.
The Cultural Chaos: Taylor Swift and Usher
You can't talk about who won the Super Bowl last year 2024 without mentioning the "Swift Effect." Taylor Swift was there, having flown halfway across the world from Tokyo to watch Travis Kelce play. The cameras found her constantly. Whether you loved it or hated it, it made this the most-watched television event in American history, with 123.4 million people tuning in.
🔗 Read more: What Can I Bring Into Yankee Stadium? Everything They Won't Tell You at the Gate
And Usher? He turned the halftime show into a Vegas skating rink. Bringing out Alicia Keys, Lil Jon, and Ludacris was a massive nostalgia trip that actually lived up to the hype.
What Most People Forget
Everyone remembers the winning touchdown, but the real MVP of the Chiefs' season was their defense. Chris Jones was a nightmare for Brock Purdy in the closing minutes. If Jones doesn't get pressure on that final 3rd down in overtime, Purdy likely hits a wide-open receiver for a touchdown, and the Chiefs probably don't win.
It was a game of inches and "what ifs." If the 49ers hadn't muffed that punt. If the extra point wasn't blocked. If Dre Greenlaw hadn't torn his Achilles just running onto the field.
The Chiefs became the first team to go back-to-back since the Patriots in 2003-2004. It officially turned the "Mahomes Era" into a dynasty.
To truly understand the weight of this victory, you should look back at the defensive schemes used by Steve Spagnuolo. His use of disguised blitzes in the fourth quarter is widely considered the blueprint for slowing down the Shanahan offense. You can also re-watch the final drive to see how the Chiefs exploited the 49ers' zone coverage by using Kelce as a decoy to clear space for Hardman.
Actionable Next Steps
- Watch the Mic'd Up footage: The NFL's "Inside the NFL" or YouTube highlights of the mic'd up players give you a totally different perspective on the sideline tension between Kelce and Reid.
- Study the OT rules: Since the 2024 game was the first major test of the new postseason overtime rules, reviewing why Shanahan chose to take the ball first offers a great lesson in sports strategy and the "analytics vs. gut" debate.
- Check the current standings: Now that you know who reigned supreme last year, see how the Chiefs and 49ers are faring this season to see if a "three-peat" or a revenge story is actually on the cards.