266 games have been played in the NFL’s 2019 season, and only two teams remain left standing to compete for the Vince Lombardi Trophy: the Kansas City Chiefs will represent the AFC in Super Bowl 54, while the San Francisco 49ers will face off against them as winners of the NFC. Before looking ahead at the title game, however, let’s quickly go back to take a look at the conference finals to see how both teams advanced to the Super Bowl.
- AFC Championship: #6 Tennessee Titans (24) at #2 Kansas City Chiefs (35)
- NFC Championship: #2 Green Bay Packers (20) at #1 San Francisco 49ers (37)
The AFC title game started well for the visiting Titans, who jumped to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. However, Kansas City’s high-powered offense came to life at that point and was eventually able to score three touchdowns to allow the team to take a 21-17 into the half. Following a scoreless third quarter, the Chiefs found the end zone two more times to effectively seal the game despite the Titans scoring another touchdown. Ultimately, however, it was too little too late to stop the home team from advancing to its first Super Bowl in 50 years.
The 49ers did not have to wait that long for a return to the game’s biggest stage: powered by a phenomenal rushing attack that gained 288 yards on 39 carries (7.4 yard per run), San Francisco was able to control the NFC title game against the visiting Packers from start to finish to punch its first Super Bowl ticket since the 2012 season. The 49ers — who saw quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo attempt only eight passes all day — jumped to a 27-0 lead at the half and never looked back, and are now in a position to tie the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers with six Vince Lombardi Trophies.
So, who will succeed the Patriots as world champions? Both teams have strong cases considering their performances in the playoffs so far. Guess we will just have to wait and see:
Super Bowl 54
- Sunday, February 2, 6:30 p.m. ET: San Francisco 49ers vs Kansas City Chiefs (FOX)