49ers stun Lions with dramatic comeback, as Chiefs beat Ravens to return to the Super Bowl

The San Francisco 49ers produced a thrilling second-half fightback against the Detroit Lions to set up a Super Bowl rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs in Las Vegas.

San Francisco trailed the Lions, one of just four NFL teams never to play in the Super Bowl, 24-7 at the break, before notching up 17 points in a dramatic eight-minute span to draw level, inspired by a breath-taking catch from Brandon Aiyuk, before going in front for the first time with just under 10 minutes left.

Christian McCaffrey had two touchdown runs and backup back Elijah Mitchell scored on a three-yard run to make it 34-24 with 3:02 to play as the Niners got over the conference title game hump after losing the past two seasons.

It was an agonising finale for Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who has overseen a dramatic change in Detroit’s fortunes in just three years as coach, with the franchise having won more play-off games this month (two) than they have in the rest of the Super Bowl era, which started in 1966.

But his playcalling decision have come under scrutiny following the defeat, have not taken opportunities to kick a field goal on multiple fourth down plays.

The Lions also had the luck against them; they seemed to have an interception when Brock Purdy’s deep pass hit Kindle Vildor in the face mask, but the ball popped up and was caught for a spectacular 51-yard gain by Aiyuk. Purdy found Aiyuk three plays later for a six-yard score.

In the earlier game, defenses dominated as the Baltimore Ravens failed to get into gear against the Chiefs, with Kansas City running out 17-10 winners to reach the NFL’s big game for a fourth time in five years.

Baltimore had the NFL’s best record in the regular season (13-4) and their quarterback Lamar Jackson is favourite to be named this season’s Most Valuable Player, but he struggled against a defensive masterclass from the Chiefs, with big plays coming from George Karlaftis, L’Jarius Sneed and others.

Tight end Travis Kelce, again watched by his superstar girlfriend Taylor Swift, put on one of his best performances of the season, claiming the the opening score from a Patrick Mahomes pass before going on to take all 11 passes thrown to him for 116 yards, and pass San Francisco legend Jerry Rice for most receptions in NFL play-off history.

Kansas City’s defence stifled Jackson, sacking him four times, and pulled off two key plays late on to seal victory, including a touchdown-saving tackle by Sneed as the Chiefs cornerback punched the ball out of Flowers’ grasp as the Ravens receiver reached for the end zone.

Then with Baltimore still trailing 17-7 with less than seven minutes left, Jackson forced a pass into the end zone on second down, with his intended target Isaiah Likely surrounded by three defenders.

The Super Bowl between the champions of the AFC and the NFC will take place in Las Vegas on Sunday 11 February, with the 49ers the early slight favourites ahead of the big game.