Big Game - Big Deficit

Big lead by Philadelphia.  Photo of TV screen. 2/9/25 dwm 

It was one-point off the biggest halftime lead in Super Bowl history. The question as the nation watched halftime was whether the Chiefs could come back on the Eagles.

Philadelphia's defense made a big statement in the first 30-minutes, keeping Kansas City out of the end zone, intercepting Pat Mahomes twice, both leading to touchdowns.

It wasn't just the pass defense, it was everything as K.C. gained just 23 yards in their 20 plays during the opening half.

The Chiefs had 12 comeback wins in 2024, they needed 13 if they are going to be the first team with three straight Super Bowl wins.

In the other contest, revolving around Super Bowl commercials, I thought most were meh. 

Here are my favorite first half ads:

1. Hellman's Mayo - I'll have what she's having - by far the best ad IMHO

2. Pfizer - Fighting Cancer - the story line was fun and heart-warming

3. RAM trucks - unusual for a car maker to be this high - but Justin Hartley scores

4. Budweiser - love the Clydesdales

5. Pringles made me smile even though I don't care for chips

(in fact the commercial break at the 2-minute warning of the first half was the best break of the half with all above average - Hellman's, RAM, Budweiser, Pringles)

6. I am Somebody by the NFL and He Gets Us are both attention-getting and positive. I like them

7. Novartis - Breast Cancer makes a serious issue funny effectively

8. Doritos is usually high on this list - this was good but not next level

9. Little Caesar Pizza - fun

10. Weather Tech always seems to make a compelling ad, liked the older women gone wild idea

There was no comeback. The Chiefs scored twice at the end of the game when the game was effectively over. Philadelphia put up 10 points in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.

The Eagles defense was the difference, but you have to score points to win, so it was the ultimate team victory.

From my view, there were two "wins" last night for Green Bay. 

The Packers lost to the ultimate champion in the opening round of the play-offs, which doesn't mean anything, but it shows no one else could beat them either.

Second, and more important to Packer fans, is that the Chiefs will not three-peat as Super Bowl Champions. Only Green Bay can claim ownership of winning three championships back-to-back-to-back. The Packers did it twice, once for Curly Lambeau and another time for Vince Lombardi.

Post-game interview of QB Jalen Hurts. screen shot 2/9/25

 Congratulations, Philadelphia, you are the champion.

 In the second half there were a few ads that stood out. 

 Harrison Ford's ad for Jeep was excellent, especially when he mentioned his last name! 

 The other two I liked were the Lay's Potato's commercial and the Bud Light ad. "Big Men in the Cul-de-Sac." 

Congratulations to Budweiser for getting back in the game in terms of good commercials in the big game.

With the game over, here is my final list of the top 10 Ads:

1. Hellman's Mayo

2. Pfizer - Fighting Cancer

3. Jeep - Harrison Ford

4. RAM

5. Budweiser/Bud Light

6. Pringles

7. I am Somebody and He Gets Us

8. Lay's Potato Chips

9. Norvatis - Breast Cancer

10. Doritos

I also want to acknowledge the good messages in a few ads:

The commercials about Hate with Snoop Dogg and Tom Brady were excellent and on-point. Dove and Nike had quality ads promoting women; and the NFL's spot "I am Somebody" merits more air time.

That's it for football. Next up is the NFL combine at the end of this month, then the draft comes to Green Bay at the end of April.