LAS VEGAS, NV- Super Bowl LVIII has been set after Championship Sunday highlighted the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the Baltimore Ravens, and the San Francisco 49ers’ historic comeback over the Detroit Lions.
Super Bowl LVIII will feature a rematch from 2020, which saw San Francisco fall to Kansas City, 31-20. This time around, behind second-year quarterback Brock Purdy, the 49ers are hungry for revenge. Averaging over 250 yards per game, and a passing percentage over 60%, Purdy has made a name for himself in San Francisco’s 2023-24 playoff run. Running back Christian McCaffrey has followed up Purdy’s dazzling postseason performance with 188 rushing yards of his own, and four of the teams five total rushing touchdowns.
On the flipside, Kansas City’s defense has been a powerhouse through their postseason run, stacking up 188 tackles, six sacks, and 11 tackles for loss through three games. Both teams pose a threat to each other, which should make for an entertaining national title game. But both also had hurdles to overcome to get to this prized game- so here is a little on each of their Championship wins on Jan. 28.
AFC Championship: Chiefs 17- Ravens 10
Patrick Mahomes led a scrappy Chiefs team in a close 7-point win over the top seeded Ravens in a rivalry matchup. Mahomes was 30/39 in pass attempts while picking up 241 yards and a touchdown. Isaiah Pacheco led Kansas City’s rush game with 24 carries for 68 yards, and the team’s lone rushing touchdown. For the Ravens, Lamar Jackson was 20/37 in attempts en-route to 272 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Zay Flowers had five receptions for over 110 yards and had the Ravens only touchdown of the game, which came back in the first quarter. The Chiefs were able to outscore Baltimore 10-3 over the final 45 minutes to hold on and secure a win, and their berth into Super Bowl LVIII.
NFC Championship: 49ers 34- Lions 31
For San Francisco, Purdy went 20/31 for 267 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Deebo Samuel had eight receptions for 89 yards on nine targets. McCaffrey had 20 carries for 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns to spearhead the Chiefs rushing offense. For Detroit, Jared Goff went only 25/41 and 273 yards with one touchdown. David Montgomery had 15 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown to lead the Lion’s rush attack. Sam LaPorta had nine receptions in 13 targets for 97 yards, to help Detroit’s pass offense. The Lions were spotted with a 14-0 early lead in the first quarter from two rushing touchdowns courtesy of Jameson Williams (42 yards) and David Montgomery (1 yard). The 49ers found an answer early in the second quarter with their first touchdown of the game, but the Lions would score 10 more unanswered points before the half, and head to the locker room with a commanding 24-7 lead. The script flipped in the second half, as the Lions were stunned with 5-straight San Francisco scores that included three touchdowns and two field goals. The 49ers would eventually hold on for the largest comeback win in postseason history, and secure their spot against the Chiefs in the game for the prized Lombardi Trophy.
Superbowl LVIII is set for Sunday Feb. 11, at 4:30 P.M. It will be aired nationally on CBS.
