Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs were able to hold off the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 to advance to their fourth Super Bowl in five years. The Chiefs will go on to face the San Francisco 49ers, who were able to overcome a 17 point deficit to beat the Lions in the NFC Championship game. The two teams met four years ago in the Super Bowl when the Chiefs were victorious, 31-20.
Star tight-end Travis Kelce had a big night for the Chiefs and was instrumental in their AFC Championship win. He caught 11 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown and in the process broke the record for the most catches in the postseason. He now has 156 catches in 21 playoff games.
Although Mahomes and Kelce were dominant in the first half they couldn’t quite keep the magic going in the second. They were held scoreless in the second half but their defense came up huge, only allowing three points and coming up with timely turnovers. Mahomes ended up going 30 of 39 for 241 yards and a touchdown.
The Ravens had an uncharacteristically undisciplined night, making a number of key mistakes throughout the game. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson finished the game going 20-37 from the field which included a touchdown and an interception. They couldn’t get much going on the ground game either, as Gus Edwards finished with just 20 yards.
The big turning point in the game seemed to come with the Ravens down by 10 in the third quarter. Rookie Zay Flowers caught a 54-yard pass to the Kansas City 10 yard-line which was flagged for taunting after the play. A few moments later, Flowers fumbled near the goal line after L’Jarius Sneed poked the ball out and the Ravens ended up with no points.
From there the Ravens could only muster a field goal late in the fourth quarter. A late interception put the game away and ensured the Chiefs would get a chance to repeat.
A win by the Chiefs would make them the first team to win the Super Bowl in back-to-back seasons since the New England Patriots 19 years ago.
49ers Overcome Huge Deficit To Beat Lions
The 49ers are headed back to the Super Bowl for the second time in four years after a thrilling 34-31 win over the Lions. They had to overcome a 17-point halftime deficit in the process to do so.
The Lions took control of the game in the first half using their offense to put up points fast. They ended up rushing for threedowns and building a 24-7 halftime lead.
Purdy and the 49ers couldn’t quite get themselves going, missing a field goal on their first drive before setting up a score on their second. A bad interception under pressure by Purdy on their final drive led to the Lions’ third TD of the half. Purdy finished the half with 7-of-15 passing for 93 yards, with a TD and an INT.
The second half was all 49ers though as they methodically drove for a field goal to open up. They then made some huge completions, including a 51-yard pass to Brandon Aiyuk to get to the Detroit 4-yard line. Three plays later, Purdy hit Aiyuk for a touchdown and the 49ers found themselves down only a score.
The Lions didn’t help their cause, dropping multiple passes which could’ve extended their drives. Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs then coughed up a fumble on the first play of their next possession which ended up leading to the 49ers game tying score.
After yet another failed drive by the Lions, Purdy and the offense setup an Elijah Mitchel rushing TD, and somehow they were up 34-24. Although the Lions scored a last gasp touchdown they couldn’t get the ball back and the 49ers qualified for yet another Super Bowl.
Super Bowl LVIII
Super Bowl LVIII is set to be played on the 11th of February between the Chiefs and 49ers in Las Vegas. The Chiefs will go in as favorites given their experience but the 49ers will be dangerous with Purdy at QB.
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