Super Bowl LVIII: 49ers and Chiefs advance to NFL title game with victories over Lions and Ravens
Super Bowl LVIII will feature a new dynasty facing off with an old one as the Kansas City Chiefs meet the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas on February 11 after each was victorious in Sunday’s NFL conference championship games.
The Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions, are headed to the big game for the fourth time in five years after downing the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 in the AFC championship game on Sunday in Baltimore.
The five-time champion 49ers rallied from a 17-point halftime deficit in the NFC championship game, scoring every time they had the ball in the second half – except at the end when they were trying to kill the clock. They came away with a 34-31 win.
Here’s how the conference championships unfolded.
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy holds the George Halas Trophy after winning the NFC championship game on Sunday, January 28. The 49ers beat the Detroit Lions 34-31.
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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers falls as he fumbles into the end zone for a touchback against the Kansas City Chiefs on January 28.
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Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds, left, celebrates a touchdown with running back Craig Reynolds during the Lions’ game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, January 21, at Ford Field in Detroit. The Lions won 31-23.
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Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire carries the ball in the second quarter of the Chiefs’ 27-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on January 21. The reigning Super Bowl champions will face the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship.
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San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw tackles Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson on Saturday, January 20, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers won 24-21 and will move on to the NFC Championship game.
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson evades Houston Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins to score an 8 yard touchdown on January 20 in Baltimore. The Ravens won 34-10 and earned a spot in the AFC Championship game next weekend, their first since the 2012 season.
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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts runs in his own end zone, looking for someone to throw to, during a playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, January 15. He was later called for intentional grounding on the play, resulting in a safety. The Eagles, last year’s NFC champion, lost 32-9.
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Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox celebrates with fans after scoring a first-half touchdown against Pittsburgh on January 15. The Bills won 31-17.
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Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium is covered in snow before the playoff game against Pittsburgh on January 15. The game was delayed a day because of winter storm conditions.
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Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs runs the ball during the Lions’ 24-23 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, January 14. It was the Lions’ first playoff win since the 1991 season.
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Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander celebrates an interception during the first quarter of the Packers’ upset win over the Dallas Cowboys on January 14. The Packers won 48-32, becoming the first No. 7 seed to win an NFL playoff game.
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Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott stands for the national anthem before the game against Green Bay on January 14.
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Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns on January 13. The Texans returned two interceptions for touchdowns as they defeated the Browns 45-14.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Trent Sherfield celebrate after a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, January 7. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 21-14 to win the AFC East title and clinch a home playoff game next week. The Dolphins — in first place for much of the season — had to settle for a wild-card spot.
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New York Jets long snapper Thomas Hennessy shovels snow along the sideline during a game at New England on January 7. The Jets won 17-3, but both teams finished the season well out of the playoff picture.
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New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden breaks up a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles running back Boston Scott on January 7. The Giants upset the Eagles 27-10 to end their season on a winning note. The Eagles made the playoffs as a wild-card team.
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San Francisco 49ers safety Tayler Hawkins celebrates with teammates after an interception on January 7. The 49ers went on to lose 21-20 to the Los Angeles Rams, but they already had the No. 1 seed locked up in the NFC. The Rams were already set as a wild-card team.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks eyes Washington Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes during the Cowboys’ 38-10 victory on January 7. With the win, the Cowboys clinched the NFC East title and the No. 2 seed in the conference playoffs.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs can’t quite pull in the catch while being defended by Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson on January 7. The Packers won 17-9 to clinch a playoff spot.
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Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mitchell Wilcox meets with fans after the Bengals’ 31-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns on January 7. Cincinnati finished the season out of the playoffs. Cleveland had already secured a wild-card spot.
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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris runs the ball during the Steelers’ 17-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, January 6. The Ravens rested many of their starters, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, as they had already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Steelers made the playoffs as a wild-card team.
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Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner makes a one-handed touchdown catch in front of Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nicholas Morrow on Sunday, December 31. The Cardinals beat the Eagles 35-31.
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New York Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, right, and teammates react to their 33-25 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, December 25.
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Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu celebrates after he intercepted a pass during the Lions’ 30-24 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, December 24. The Lions secured their fist division title since 1993 with the win.
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New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams grabs the jersey of Washington Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel on December 24. The Jets beat the Commanders 30-28.
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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs can’t make the catch as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Clark Phillips III defends on December 24. The Falcons won 29-10.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens points to a Cincinnati Bengals defender as he runs by during the Steelers’ 34-11 win against the Bengals on Saturday, December 23.
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Chamarri Conner, Charles Omenihu and Nick Bolton of the Kansas City Chiefs tackle New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott on Sunday, December 17. The Chiefs won 27-17.
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Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert runs the ball during a the team’s 30-0 win against the New York Jets on December 17.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder throws the ball during the first half on December 17. The Carolina Panthers beat the Falcons 9-7.
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Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb sacks New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson on December 17.
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New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito walks off the field after losing 24-6 to the New Orleans Saints on December 17.
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Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta dives into the end zone for a touchdown on Saturday, December 16. The Lions beat the Denver Broncos 42-17.
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D.J. Moore of the Chicago Bears celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter of the Bears’ 28-13 upset win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday, November 10.
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Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson leaps over Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Kelee Ringo during the Cowboys’ 33-13 victory on December 10. With the win, the Cowboys extended their home winning-streak to 15 games.
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks to pass in the fourth quarter of a narrow 20-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills on December 10.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown on December 10. The Falcons lost 29-25 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace escapes multiple attempted tackles during a 76-yard punt return for a touchdown in overtime against the Los Angeles Rams on December 10. Wallace’s touchdown earned the Ravens a 37-31 victory.
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San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa celebrates after sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock on December 10. Lock started for the Seahawks on Sunday after veteran Geno Smith was ruled inactive. The 49ers won 28-16.
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence reacts after suffering an injury during the Jaguars’ 34-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, December 4.
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy looks to pass during the 49ers’ 42-19 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, December 3.
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New York Jets quarterback Tim Boyle prepares to snap the ball during the Jets’ 13-8 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on December 3.
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Roger McCreary of the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon attempt to catch the ball on December 3. The Colts beat the Titans 31-28 in overtime.
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk a catches touchdown pass in the end zone on December 3.
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Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton celebrates after catching a 45-yard touchdown pass on December 3. The Broncos lost to the Houston Texans 22-17.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks catches a pass for a first down as Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams defends during the Cowboys’ 41-35 Thursday Night Football win on November 30.
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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrates after scoring the game winning touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in overtime on Sunday, November 26. The Eagles won 37-34.
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Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the Bengals’ 16-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 26.
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Desmond Ridder of the Atlanta Falcons hands the ball off to Tyler Allgeier during the Falcons’ 24-15 victory over the New Orleans Saints on November 26.
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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus catches a touchdown pass over Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde on November 26.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott eats a turkey leg after the Cowboys’ 45-10 Thanksgiving Day victory over the Washington Commanders on November 23.
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Christian Watson of the Green Bay Packers makes a catch for a touchdown during a game against the Detroit Lions on November 23. The Packers beat the Lions 29-22.
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Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford on Sunday, November 19. The Seahawks beat the Rams 17-16.
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow holds his wrist after a throw during the Bengals’ 34-20 Thursday Night Football loss to the Baltimore Ravens on November 16. He tore a ligament in his right wrist.
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Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon celebrates with teammates after intercepting the ball during the Colts’ 10-6 victory over the New England Patriots in Frankfurt, Germany, on Sunday, November 12.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed stiff arms Joey Porter Jr. of the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 12. The Steelers beat the Packers 23-19.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs recovers a fumble on November 12. The Buccaneers beat the Tennessee Titans 20-6.
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Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler, second from bottom, is tackled by Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson and Derrick Barnes, top, during the Chargers’ 41-38 loss to the Lions on November 12. Detroit linebacker Jack Campbell is on the bottom.
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New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas evades Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II on November 12.
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Noah Sewell, right, and Jaquan Brisker of the Chicago Bears celebrate during the Bears’ 16-13 Thursday Night Football win over the Carolina Panthers on November 9.
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Kansas City Chiefs players warm up prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt, Germany, on Sunday, November 5. The Chiefs beat the Dolphins 21-14.
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C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans drops back to pass during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 5. Stroud threw for 470 yards in the Texans’ narrow 39-37 victory.
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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones grimaces after being sacked during the Giants’ 30-6 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on November 5.
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Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet catches a touchdown pass while defended by Tyrann Mathieu of the New Orleans Saints on November 5. The Saints beat the Bears 24-17.
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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren evades Tre Avery of the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, November 2. The Steelers beat the Titans 20-16.
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Detroit Lions fans cheer on a third down play during the Lions’ 26-14 Monday Night Football victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on October 30.
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Denver Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian celebrates a second quarter interception in Denver on Sunday, October 29. The Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs 24-9.
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Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis throws a pass during the Titans’ 28-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on October 29. Levis threw four touchdowns during the game, his NFL debut.
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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown makes a one-handed catch to score a touchdown against Washington Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste on October 29. The Eagles beat the Commanders 38-31.
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Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss reaches for a one-yard touchdown run during the Colts’ 38-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints on October 29.
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Cincinnati Bengals tight end Irv Smith Jr. runs past San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga on October 29. The Bengals beat the 49ers 31-17.
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Dalton Kincaid of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Bills’ 24-18 Thursday Night Football victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 26.
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New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, embraces Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott after the Patriots beat the Bills 29-25 on Sunday, October 22. It was Belichick’s 300th regular-season victory.
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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams drops a pass in the end zone on October 22. The Raiders lost 30-12 to the Chicago Bears.
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Atlanta Falcons placekicker Younghoe Koo celebrates with teammates after making a game-winning field goal on the final play of the Falcons’ 16-13 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 22.
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Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams evades Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage, bottom, on October 22. The Broncos beat the Packers 19-17.
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Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor runs the ball during the Colts’ 39-38 loss to the Cleveland Browns on October 22.
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Teammates run to Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling as he celebrates his touchdown during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on October 22. The Chiefs won 31-17.
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy scrambles away from Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah during the second half of the 49ers’ 19-17 loss on Sunday, October 15.
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Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert jumps over Carolina Panthers cornerback CJ Henderson on October 15. Mostert had two touchdowns during the Dolphins’ 42-21 victory.
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Los Angeles Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom celebrates his interception during the Rams’ 26-9 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on October 15.
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Quincy Williams of the New York Jets tackles Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith on October 15. The Eagles are 5-1 for the season after their 20-14 loss to the Jets.
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes calls a play during the Chiefs’ 19-8 Thursday Night Football win over the Denver Broncos on October 12.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed sits on the sideline as Las Vegas Raiders’ Robert Spillane is congratulated after his interception on Monday, October 9. The Raiders beat the Packers 17-13.
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Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta tries in vain to pull in a pass reception in Detroit on Sunday, October 8. The Lions beat the Carolina Panthers 42-24.
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New York Jets running back Breece Hall carries the ball during a game against the Denver Broncos on October 8. The Jets won 31-21.
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KaVontae Turpin of the Dallas Cowboys catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter of the Cowboys’ 42-10 loss the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 8.
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Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss runs the ball for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8. The Colts beat the Titans 23-16.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens celebrates after catching a 41-yard touchdown pass during the Steelers’ 17-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens on October 8.
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase runs past Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson after making a catch during the Bengals’ 34-20 victory over the Cardinals on October 8. Chase scored three touchdowns during the game.
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Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack celebrates a sack during the Chargers’ 24-17 victory on Sunday, October 1. Mack recorded six sacks, becoming the fifth player in NFL history to do so in a single game.
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Jacksonville Jaguars fans wave flags ahead of a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium in London on October 1. It was the first of five international games the NFL has scheduled this season as part of its ever-expanding International Series. The Jaguars won 23-7.
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Brian Robinson Jr. of the Washington Commanders makes a pass reception during the second quarter of the Commanders’ 34-31 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on October 1.
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Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin shouts while warming up ahead of the Bills game against the Miami Dolphins on October 1. Hamlin participated in the opening kickoff, his first regular season appearance after surviving a cardiac arrest on the field nearly nine months ago. The Bills beat the Dolphins 48-20.
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Cincinnati Bengals’ Evan McPherson kicks a field goal during a game against the Tennesee Titans on October 1. McPherson was Cincinnati’s only player to put points on the board during their 27-3 loss.
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Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions celebrates with fans during his team’s 34-20 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Thursday, September 28.
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Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert celebrates with teammates Braxton Berrios and Christian Wilkins after scoring one of his four touchdowns during the Dolphins’ landslide victory over the Broncos on Sunday, September 24.
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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper pulls in a catch for a touchdown during the Browns’ 27-3 victory over the Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen leaps into the end zone for a touchdown during his team’s 37-3 win over the Washington Commanders on September 24.
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Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tavius Robinson go after a fumble in the end zone on September 24. The Colts beat the Ravens 22-19.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs fends off New Orleans Saints cornerback Isaac Yiadom during the first half at Lambeau Field on September 24. The Packers edged out a 18-17 win.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder is sacked by Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes in the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on September 24. The Falcons lost 20-6.
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San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell is tackled by New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium on September 24. The 49ers remain undefeated after their 30-12 Thursday Night Football win on September 21.
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Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson scores in the first half of a 30-10 win over the New York Jets at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, September 17. It was the Jets’ first game without quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who suffered an ankle injury during his debut with the team in Week 1.
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence throws a pass during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at TIAA Bank Field on September 17. Lawrence threw for 216 yards during Jacksonville’s 17-9 loss to Kansas City.
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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson makes a catch over New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock at State Farm Stadium on September 17. The Cardinals narrowly lost 31-28.
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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray receives a pass on September 17. The Chiefs beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-9.
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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams celebrates after scoring the team’s only touchdown during their 38-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on September 17.
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San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey looks for space to run the ball in the second half of a 30-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Sunday, September 10.
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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers pulls in a touchdown past Denver Broncos cornerback Damarri Mathis in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on September 10. The score would be important as the Raiders edged the home side, 17-16.
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It was a rough day for Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals as they got trounced by the Cleveland Browns 24-3 on September 10. The highest paid quarterback in the league had a tough start to the season, throwing 14-for-31 for 82 yards and being crushed here by Browns safety Grant Delpit.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Deven Thompkins runs with the ball during the fourth quarter of a 20-17 win against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on September 10.
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Los Angeles Chargers kicker JK Scott punts the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the second half at SoFi Stadium on September 10. The Chargers would lose 36-34 to the Dolphins.
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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver/punt returner Zay Flowers catches a deep pass in the first quarter against the Houston Texans on September 10. Baltimore fans had plenty of action to cheer as their team thoroughly handled the Texans 25-9.
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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy on September 10. It was to be one of the only highlights for the home fans as the Niners won 30-7.
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It was a rough start to the year for the Kansas City Chiefs and superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes as they were shocked by the Detroit Lions 21-20 in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, September 7. Still, many are predicting the Chiefs will repeat this year.
The Chiefs on Sunday were in familiar territory, making their sixth straight AFC title game appearance with quarterback Patrick Mahomes at the helm. Across that stretch, he’s racked up two Super Bowls titles, two Super Bowl MVP awards, and two league MVP awards. Needless to say, the Mahomes era has been defined by winning when it matters most.
Mahomes faced intense questions coming into the playoffs on whether he would be able to duplicate his past postseason performances now that he’d have to travel away from Arrowhead Stadium for games. Mahomes has taken his team to the AFC championship game or further in each of his six seasons as a starter and – as wild as it sounds – he had never played a road playoff game until the Chiefs beat the Bills in Buffalo last week.
Compounding the situation was the Chiefs struggled at times this year.
“It truly is special. Just to do it with these guys after what we’ve been through all season long, the guys coming together, it really is special,” Mahomes said at a postgame news conference. “I told them, the job’s not done. Our job now is to prepare ourselves to play a good football team in the Super Bowl and try to get that ring.”
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce caught 11 passes – nine in the first half – and had one touchdown as Kansas City dominated the time of possession battle, using three long scoring drives and a tough defense.
The Chiefs opened the scoring with Mahomes hitting Kelce for 13 yards on fourth-and-2, keeping their first drive of the game alive, then two plays later combining with him for a 19-yard back-shoulder touchdown pass to make the score 7-0 with 7:41 left in the first quarter.
The Ravens struck right back, with the team’s elusive quarterback Lamar Jackson finding Zay Flowers behind the defense for a 30-yard scoring strike that tied the score at 7-7 just minutes later.
Kansas City answered with a touchdown to take a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter. Isiah Pacheco’s 2-yard push into the end zone gave the Chiefs two touchdowns in two long drives.
The Chiefs closed the half with another long drive, with kicker Harrison Butker sending a 52-yard field goal through the uprights with eight seconds left in the second period.
The Chiefs led at halftime 17-7, the first double-digit deficit of the season for the Ravens. Both defenses clamped down in the second half.
Kansas City’s offense remained lifeless for most of the remaining minutes, being forced to punt for five consecutive possessions and keeping the Ravens error-prone offense within striking distance.
The only points of the second half came with 2:34 left in the game when the Ravens kicker Justin Tucker kicked a 43-yard field goal.
Mahomes was 30 of 39 for 241 yards with one touchdown. His late fourth-quarter pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 32-yard completion all but sealed the victory for the Chiefs, who were also aided by two big Ravens turnovers in the final period.
Jackson, the NFL MVP frontrunner, struggled for the Ravens until late in the third quarter. He finished the game 20 of 37 for 241 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed eight times for 54 yards and saved another interception by catching his own batted pass and turning it into a 13-yard gain.
In the fourth quarter, the Ravens were stung by a crippling fumble and an interception in the Kansas CIty end zone.
Just when it appeared the Ravens would cut the 10-point deficit, Flowers, who caught a 54-yard pass to get to the Chiefs 25-yard line earlier in the drive, had the ball knocked from his hand as he dove toward the goal line, leading to a turnover and a touchback.
The Ravens marched down the field on their next offensive possession, poised to cut into the Chiefs’ lead after reaching the Kansas City 25-yard line, but Jackson’s throw into triple coverage was intercepted in the end zone by Deon Bush.
“We had some opportunities out there,” Jackson told reporters. “Just got to take advantage of them. Can’t turn the ball over. Fumble, interception, stuff like that, gave them opportunities to put points on the board and win the game.
The high-stakes matchup marked the first time two NFL MVP quarterbacks under the age of 30 faced off in the playoffs, as well as the first time Mahomes and Jackson met on the postseason stage.
The NFC title game was a story of two halves, the first owned by the visitors seeking their first trip to the Super Bowl.
The Lions rushed the ball for 148 yards in the first half and quarterback Jared Goff was 13 of 20 for 145 yards before intermission.
The Lions scored on three of the first four possessions, using Goff’s precise passing to set up rushing touchdowns by Jameson Williams, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.
They took a 17-point lead into the locker room after Michael Badgley kicked a 21-yard field goal with just seconds left in the first half. It looked like the team that last won a NFL title in the 1950s was going to its first-ever Super Bowl.
San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey, the NFL’s leading rusher during the regular season, scored the 49ers only points before halftime, powering in from 2 yards only a few minutes into the second quarter.
The 49ers owned the second half, first erasing the deficit in 8 minutes in the third quarter, then in the fourth quarter taking a 27-24 lead on a 33-yard field goal by Jake Moody. Elijah Mitchell tacked on a 3-yard touchdown run to seemingly ice the game with about three minutes to go.
The Lions were able to go 75 yards in 13 plays to draw within a field goal with less than a minute to go.
But the 49ers recovered the onside kick and time ran out for the Lions.
This season will not be soon forgotten by the Ford Field faithful. After years of missing the postseason entirely, the Lions found themselves in the conference championship for the first time since 1991.
The 49ers are seven-time participants in the Super Bowl, winning five – four in the 1980s when quarterback Joe Montana, defensive back Ronnie Lott, wide receiver Jerry Rice and defensive lineman Charles Haley were building Hall of Fame careers.