NEW ORLEANS — OK, now there is a definite blueprint for how to beat the Chiefs in a Super Bowl. 

Four years after the Buccaneers’ dominant defensive line thwarted the Chiefs’ offensive efforts in their bid for a second consecutive Super Bowl win, the Eagles’ pass rush replicated the success on Sunday, containing Patrick Mahomes effectively.

In a relentless display, the Chiefs allowed their star quarterback to endure nine hits and five sacks within the initial three quarters of the game. A pressured Mahomes committed two crucial interceptions during the pivotal first half, contributing to the Eagles’ 40-22 triumph in Super Bowl 2025.

If any play signified the one-sidedness in the trenches, however, it happened in the fourth quarter. 

During a critical play, backup defensive lineman Milton Williams overpowered guard Mike Caliendo, disrupting Mahomes’ pass attempt. Jalen Carter capitalized on the chaos by barreling through the line and delivering a forceful hit to Mahomes.

Should it have been a penalty? Probably, but a metaphorical punch in the face is exactly what the Chiefs took. 

The first time this happened caused the Chiefs to totally revamp their offensive line during the offseason.

None of the starters from the 2021 Super Bowl were in the lineup Sunday, but the results were scarily similar, even with big investments protecting Mahomes. 

The Band-Aid that was moving guard Joe Thuney to left tackle late in the season came unpeeled. 

The Chiefs were dominated with two $80 million players on the bookends — Thuney and right tackle Jawaan Taylor, an All-Pro center in Creed Humprey and a guard in Trey Smith who could be the most sought-after free agent in the NFL next month. 

But it was no answer for the depth on the Eagles defensive line, which remarkably didn’t miss a beat this season even after franchise icon Fletcher Cox retired. 

Mahomes didn’t quite run for the 497 yards behind the line of scrimmage that he had to when the Buccaneers’ pressure wrecked a Super Bowl, but he was twisting and turning into blindside hits all night.

There were hardly any signature Mahomes loops that allowed him to break free for long scrambles — and when there were, it was because of a holding penalty that drew a flag. 

What’s strange is that the Chiefs have two Super Bowl wins in the past six years at the expense of the 49ers, whose strength throughout that span has been their defensive line. 

The blowout nature of the game also turned the Chiefs into a one-dimensional offense. 

The Chiefs finished with 11 carries for 45 yards, but no running back had more than nine rushing yards as most of the “damage” was done by Mahomes as he ran from the pocket for his safety.