At the conclusion of the seventh-longest game in the history of the National Football League, center Creed Humphrey tore off his helmet, and tears started to pour from his eyes. in Allegiant Stadium, Malik Herring, a defensive end who had been with the team for three years, was overcome with emotion and fell to his knees in the middle position. Nick Allegretti, the Chiefs’ backup left guard who played in place of All-Pro Joe Thuney, had tears in his eyes even before the Chiefs’ last drive of the season. Allegretti was the starting left guard. When Rashee Rice, a rookie, gave his coach Andy Reid a bear hug, he broke down in tears.

The man who did not cry on Sunday night, who simply breathed — again and over and over again — was Patrick Mahomes, the most gifted quarterback in the National Football League, the most game-changing superstar in the league, and the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl LVIII.

Mahomes was the first person to embrace receiver Mecole Hardman, who was the teammate who caught the touchdown pass that won the game from the opposing team. It was then that Mahomes sprinted to the sideline of the Chiefs, threw his helmet, and fell to the ground. He rolled over onto his back with his hands on his head, right above the red headband that he was wearing.

The Chiefs finished the longest season in their 64-year history with an unforgettable 25-22 comeback victory over the San Francisco 49ers in overtime in front of 61,629 fans in the first Super Bowl of the National Football League, which was held in Las Vegas. Mahomes’ final pass was an easy three-yard walk-off touchdown to Hardman, who was wide open in the corner of the end zone. In the past five years, the Chiefs have won the Lombardi Trophy for the third time.

Upon rising to his feet and gathering his thoughts, Mahomes responded to the question of whether or not the Chiefs are a dynasty by delivering yet another message that was definitive for the rest of the league.

Before Mahomes and his teammates lifted their most recent Lombardi Trophy, Mahomes made the following statement: “It’s the beginning of one.” We are not yet finished.A field goal was kicked by the 49ers after the Chiefs defense used one of its most effective blitzes to force them to kick the ball in overtime. After that, Mahomes choreographed a 13-play series that resulted in his most memorable game-winning drive. This occurred during a drive that was of the utmost importance. The Chiefs celebrated their victory by leaping from their bench and into each other’s arms, much like students would do when they heard the final bell of the spring semester. This was the first time in twenty years that the National Football League had won a championship more than once. A golden age for the team was established as a result of the victory, and it is now considered to be one of the true dynasties in the 104-year history of the league.

“This is one of the greatest teams of all time,” said tight end Travis Kelce, an 11-year veteran and the team’s longest-tenured player. “To go back-to-back is another tier. At this point in my career, I just enjoy coming into (the Chiefs’ facility) because I know I’m closer to not playing than I am to keep playing. I just cherish every single moment.”

Repeating as Super Bowl champion is one of the hardest things to do in the NFL. The Chiefs became just the ninth team to do it. They did so after posting the worst regular season in the Andy Reid-Mahomes era. And they needed to navigate their toughest playoff path as well.

As the AFC’s No. 3 seed, the Chiefs dominated the Miami Dolphins in freezing conditions. Then, in the first road playoff game of Mahomes’ seven-year career, the Chiefs rallied in the second half for a 27-24 victory, their defense holding the Buffalo Bills scoreless in the fourth quarter. They reached the Super Bowl with another road victory, a 17-10 win over league MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, who entered the postseason with the NFL’s best record.

Aaron Schatz, the chief analytics officer of FTN Network and inventor of DVOA, said the Chiefs faced the hardest postseason road to a championship ever, based on the regular-season DVOA of their opponents.

“The journey we had to take, I think, (makes this) more satisfying than the previous Super Bowls,” pass rusher Chris Jones said.This season, a team that was once known for its high-powered offense and Mahomes’ improvisational passing needed to change its personality. Mahomes said Sunday’s game was symbolic of the Chiefs’ season.

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The 49ers built a 10-point lead, scoring their first touchdown on a trick play. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw a short pass behind the line of scrimmage to receiver Jauan Jennings, who completed an across-the-field pass to running back Christian McCaffrey, who sprinted untouched into the end zone for a 21-yard score.

The Chiefs showed their frustration on the sideline. Kelce shoved and screamed at Reid for taking him out of the game. Running back Isiah Pacheco shook his head after he fumbled inside the 49ers’ 10-yard line. Mahomes often felt pressure in the first half because the 49ers’ four-man pass rush — defensive ends Nick Bosa and Chase Young and defensive tackles Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave — dominated the Chiefs’ offensive line. When halftime began, the Chiefs trotted into the locker room having scored just three points.

“I hope people remember not only the greatness that we had on the field but the way that we battled,” Mahomes said. “It’s not always pretty.”The most consistent unit for the Chiefs on Sunday once again was the defense, led by coordinator  Steve Spagnuolo.

No opponent this season scored 30 points on Spagnuolo’s unit, which allowed the fewest second-half points in the league. The Chiefs held the 49ers to 12 points in the final three quarters. Linebacker Leo Chenal even blocked the extra-point attempt after the 49ers’ lone touchdown after halftime. Although Jones never sacked Purdy, he pressured him throughout the second half, hitting the quarterback twice. Spagnuolo increased his blitzes, too, to better collapse the pocket. Six defenders hit Purdy. The Chiefs defense generated a season-high nine unblocked pressures, all of which came on blitzes, according to Next Gen Stats.

“That’s what we do, baby. We go on pressure, from left, right, center,” safety Justin Reid said. “I’ve said it since training camp: This is the most intelligent defense that I’ve been a part of, but also physically dominant. Guys know the checks and calls and there’s nobody who is scared to tackle. You want to run the ball to the edge, our corners are going to cut you in half. You want to run it down the middle, the safeties and linebackers are coming downhill.

“You match that with the ability of what Spags puts together in the game plan, it just puts us in a position to be successful.”