Super Bowl LVIII began with a defense-dominated game, but ended with some fireworks to give the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs an overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers, with a score of 25 to 22.
It was the first team to go back-to-back since the New England Patriots achieved a repeat in 2004. With another win, Patrick Mahomes is solidifying his case as one of the best quarterbacks to play the game, but he still has a long way to go to catch Tom Brady’s seven Super Bowl victories. Coach Andy Reid has KC in the modern-day “dynasty” conversations, with a third title in five seasons.
Niners quarterback, Brock Purdy, really did what he had to do in order to have his team win. A missed extra point by San Francisco was highlighted by many as the difference in the game, but the fluky punt that landed on the back of the foot of San Francisco’s Darrell Luter Jr., who was setting up to block for Ray-Ray McLeod, resulted in a fumble and then a KC score. That was the most pivotal play of the game.
While Usher’s halftime performance, joined on stage with Alicia Keys, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, had lots of star power. Travis Kelce and his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, were the real focus of both Swifties and even football fans.
When it came to the best Super Bowl commercials, a handful stuck out, but only one dominated. Just like the Chiefs repeating as champs, Dunkin did the same!
Funny Commercial—Honorable Mention #1: Sir Patrick Stewart Throws a Hail Arnold | A Mountain of Entertainment
With a handful of real people and characters pondering how to get up to the top of Paramount Mountain, Patrick Stewart takes the role of quarterback from Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa, after telling Drew Barrymore to “shut your face.” Creed members, Scott Stapp and Mark Tremonti, get the best laugh as they sing, “Can you take me higher?” (Later, the host of the Super Bowl party that I attended joked that “Higher,” was stuck in her head, not one of Usher’s songs.)
Funny Commercial—Honorable Mention #2: Like a Good Neighbaaa
Arnold Schwarzenegger, plays a State Farm Agent, but there is one problem, he pronounces a word in the slogan, “neighbaaa” instead of “neighbor.” After several failed attempts in actions scenes like rescuing dogs from an exploding building, flying a helicopter and skydiving, Danny DeVito, his old Twins sidekick, must finish the line for him. Later, when watching the movie, Schwarzenegger, says to his little twin, “You are a backstabbaaa.” DeVito replies, “I am a backstabber.”
Most Touching—Honorable Mention #1: Perfect 10
A girl figure skater performs as her father watches in the stands with an empty seat next to him. The pair of them then drive through wintery conditions to her grandfather’s house at night. The young lady performs on a pond in the backyard, as the father has lit up the ice using his Kia’s all-electric EV9. The grandfather, inside sitting on a wheelchair, handwrites a “10” with his finger in the condensation on the house’s window.
Most Touching—Honorable Mention #2: Gronk Misses The FanDuel Kick Of Destiny 2
Rob Gronkowski missed the FanDuel field goal kick again this year, which got some laughs at the party I attended. However, the touching part came later in the night. A commercial showed Gronk’s miss and John Cena as one of the people happy to see that happen. It then showed the late Carl Weathers saying, “You gave it your all, Gronk.” At the very end, with the music from The Natural still playing, Weathers is shown nodding his head, with a message on the screen reading, “Thank you, Carl 1948–2024.” It was moving that FanDuel did this tribute for Carl Weathers and his fans.
Most Touching: Foot Washing
This commercial showed a person washing the feet of another person, and then it continued with others doing the same thing. The song “Never Tear Us Apart” played in the background. In some scenes it was clear that the two people might have opposing ideologies, based on what was shown in the background. The closing lines shown on the screen stated, “Jesus didn’t teach hate. He washed feet. He gets us. All of us. Jesus.” The letters “us” were highlighted to stand out in His name. Lastly, it promoted this URL: HeGetsUs.com/LoveYourNeighbor.
Best Super Bowl Commercial 2024: Dunkin’s ‘The DunKings’
Last year’s winner was a funny ad that showed Jennifer Lopez pulling up to a Dunkin’ location to surprisingly find her husband, Ben Affleck, working a drive-thru window. This time, Affleck flips the script, saying, “Last year, she came to my work, now I gotta show her what I can do,” even while Jack Harlow is telling him he should not do it.
When Ben busts in to surprise J.Lo at her recording studio, a group of “DunKings,” wearing bright orange tracksuits joins him. First, Affleck, introduces Tom Brady on the keys and then his friend Matt Damon, who is clearly embarrassed to be there. Affleck, with his entourage in the background, does his hilarious boy-band dance moves. Then Damon asked, “How do you like those donuts? I’m so sorry.” Another hilarious moment that played off his famous “How do you like them apples?” line from Good Will Hunting, but then again showing his embarrassment to be a part of Affleck’s show.
More laughs come from Affleck’s confidence, Brady asking, “Are we going to be on the album?” Lopez’s embarrassment of her husband, but saying, “Tom, you can stay.”
Just like the Chiefs, Dunkin’ is a repeat champ. As one friend said, it was “hands down” the best.
In case you are wondering what the worst commercial was… Temu took that dishonor. It was a lame commercial, with a confusing message, that repeated a few times, with what looked like no creative changes.
Hopefully you enjoyed Super Bowl Sunday, ate good food and created some fun memories.
Mike Byrnes is a national speaker and owner of Byrnes Consulting LLC. His firm provides consulting services to help advisors become even more successful. Need help with business planning, marketing strategy, business development, client service and management effectiveness? Read more at ByrnesConsulting.com and follow @ByrnesConsultin.