Super Bowl LVIII Awards: The Best, The Worst, and the WTF
Another Super Bowl in the books and this one was… unexpected. In the lead-up to the game, the internet was already spinning conspiracies — was the fix in for the Chiefs? MGM Sportsbooks had them as slight 1.5-point favourites, and the script seemed obvious. Chiefs win. Travis Kelce proposes at midfield. Taylor Swift accepts. America collectively implodes.
Not so fast.
The Philadelphia Eagles came out flying, jumping to an early lead and turning the game into a 40-22 snooze fest for most of the night. Whether you were locked in for the football, here for the ads, or just hoping for a legendary halftime, there was plenty to talk about.
Here’s our Super Bowl Awards, breaking down the MVPs, best style moments, and meme-worthy moments from the night.
MVP of the Night: Jalen Hurts
Hurts was named Super Bowl MVP, and yeah, no arguments here. He was surgical, finishing with just five incompletions, 221 passing yards, and a Super Bowl rushing record for quarterbacks (72 yards) — plus three total touchdowns. “You either win or you learn,” he said after his Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs two years ago. He definitely learned.
Best Clutch Moment: A Birthday Pick-Six for the Ages
It was Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean’s 22nd birthday yesterday and what a birthday it was.
With about seven minutes left in the second quarter, he read Patrick Mahomes like a book, snatched a pick at midfield, and took it to the house. A Super Bowl pick-six on your birthday? What a gift.
Biggest Choke: Patrick Mahomes
Statistically, it doesn’t look awful — 21-of-32, 257 yards, three touchdowns, two picks — but most of Mahomes’ numbers came after the game was already out of reach.
The first half? Brutal. Completely shut out. And right before Cooper DeJean’s pick-six, he took back-to-back sacks, becoming the first QB in Super Bowl history to go down on consecutive plays in the big game. For a guy who usually thrives under pressure, this was not his night.
Best Halftime Moment: Kendrick’s Victory Lap
Kendrick Lamar has had a massive year — unexpected but undeniable — and his Super Bowl halftime show was the ultimate victory lap over Drake. The big question: Would he actually perform “Not Like Us” on the biggest stage? Of course. How could he not?
Lamar made it bigger than just a performance — a statement, a spectacle, a preview of his summer tour with SZA. Political, but subtle. Provocative, but unmistakably his.
The cleverest bit — Samuel L. Jackson, draped in custom Bode as Uncle Sam, ironically narrating. After two pop-leaning SZA tracks, Jackson teased “That’s what America wants — nice, calm. You’re almost there — don’t mess this…” Before he could finish, Kendrick cut him off with “Not Like Us.” The stadium erupted.
Halftime Could-Have-Been Moment: Too Many Deep Cuts
A nitpick, sure — but Super Bowls are for playing the hits.
Kendrick’s set was visually stunning, culturally loaded, and undeniably powerful, but leaning so heavily on tracks from his latest album, felt like a move better suited for his arena tour. Some more Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, and it would have taken the show to the next level.
Best Style Moment: DeAndre Hopkins’ Mink Tribute
In a sea of predictably bad pre-game tunnel fits, DeAndre Hopkins stood alone — and not just because he looked good. The Chiefs wide receiver honoured his late father by wearing his mink fur coat, a piece with deep personal meaning.
It wasn’t just fashion — it was a rare moment when style actually said something. For that reason alone, it easily outclassed Patrick Mahomes’ Ron Burgundy cosplay and Jalen Hurts’ Joker-inspired suit.
Biggest Style Moment: Kendrick’s Bellbottoms
It was certainly the biggest style moment — we won’t call it the best. That honour goes to Kendrick Lamar’s Celine bellbottoms.
Some are calling them flares, but let’s be real — those were straight-up bellbottoms. And somehow, Kendrick made them work.
Best Ads: Familiar Formula, But a Few Hits
Super Bowl ads stuck to the usual playbook — big stars and cute animals — but a few actually worked.
Michelob Ultra’s pickleball grifters starring Willem Dafoe & Catherine O’Hara cash in on the pickleball craze and it lands only because Dafoe is having the time of his life in it. It’s just fun enough to stand out.
On the Canadian side, the cute Coors’ sloth ad was one of the rare ones that made it across the border and we’re glad it did.
Worst Ads: The “Buy Canadian” Overload
Super Bowl ads have stuck to a familiar formula for years, and this year was no exception.
On the American side, nostalgia once again reigned supreme, with yet another beloved-movie-reunion-turned-ad-spot. This time? Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan reviving When Harry Met Sally — except this time, Meg had an orgasmic reaction to Hellmann’s mayonnaise. Rough stuff.
On the Canadian feed, brands leaned hard into patriotic marketing. Bell, President’s Choice, BMO, and Kraft all pushed the buy local message, but Tim Hortons took it too far, committing what can only be described as sacrilege — rewriting Stompin’ Tom Connors’ The Hockey Song as a tribute to American football in a desperate bid to prove its Canadian-ness.
Best Meme Moment: Kendrick’s Smile
Kendrick’s devilish grin as he looked square in the camera delivered a devastating blow to Drake. It’s already being memed.
Most Random Celebrity Sighting: Serena Williams
Of all the unexpected Super Bowl moments, Serena Williams hitting a C-walk during Kendrick’s halftime show might take the cake. A bold move, considering her rumoured romantic history with Drake. It was petty as hell and the internet definitely noticed.
Feature image by Christopher Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images.
