Patrick Mahomes: Chiefs Would’ve Gone for 2-Point Conversion if 49ers Had Scored TD
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes disclosed the team’s game plan if the San Francisco 49ers scored a touchdown on the first possession in overtime of Super Bowl 58.
“We were going for two,” Mahomes said on ESPN’s SportsCenter when asked about the team’s decision after a potential game-tying touchdown by the Chiefs. “I don’t know if [head coach Andy] Reid wants me telling everybody, but we would’ve went for two for sure.”
Instead, they didn’t need to go for two. The 49ers settled for a field goal on their opening possession in overtime before Mahomes found wide receiver Mecole Hardman for the game-winning touchdown.
The NFL’s playoff overtime rules were widely discussed after the game, as a rule change instituted in 2022 allowed both teams to have a chance to possess the ball before the game finished. In the regular season, the contest would end if the receiving team scored a touchdown on the first possession in overtime.
In other words, Kansas City still would have gotten an opportunity with the ball if the 49ers scored a touchdown after receiving the kickoff to begin OT. The Chiefs wouldn’t have been interested in attempting a game-tying score in that scenario though, instead opting for a do-or-die two-point conversion for the championship.
Some San Francisco players admitted that they weren’t familiar with the updated postseason rules.
“You know what? I didn’t even realize the playoff rules were different in overtime,” 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk said, per ESPN. “I assume you just want the ball to score a touchdown and win.”
This wasn’t the case for Kansas City, as safety Justin Reid revealed that the Chiefs “talked about it all year” to be ready for a situation similar to the one on Sunday.
Mahomes earned the third Super Bowl MVP Award of his career due to his heroics in the fourth quarter and overtime, finishing the game with 333 yards through the air and 66 more on the ground while throwing for two touchdowns compared to one interception.