The 49ers are back in the Super Bowl against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Last time they were on this stage, four years ago, Mahomes engineered a fourth-quarter comeback that snatched the game away from the 49ers, who led by 10 points with seven minutes remaining.
Only eight players from that game remain on the team that will take the field Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas, but several are key stars — Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Nick Bosa, among others.
The path to that Super Bowl was much simpler than this year’s run: Wire-to-wire home wins over the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers carried the Niners to Miami. This time around, they had to make two comebacks of their own to reach the season’s final game, first beating the Packers with a late drive engineered by Brock Purdy, then erasing a 17-point deficit against the Lions by riding the momentum created by Brandon Aiyuk’s third-quarter circus catch.
Now, with Purdy replacing Jimmy Garoppolo from that Super Bowl LIV loss and several other new starry faces in the fold (including Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams), they have a chance to end their 29-year title drought.
Follow along below as we update each twist, turn and touchdown throughout the Super Bowl rematch.
Pregame: The 49ers’ inactive players for the game are linebacker Jalen Graham, offensive tackle Matt Pryor, wide receiver Ronnie Bell, defensive tackle T.Y. McGill, defensive lineman Alex Barrett, cornerback Sam Womack and emergency quarterback Brandon Allen. The Chiefs’ inactives are wide receivers Kadarius Toney and Justyn Ross; cornerback Ekow Boye-Doe; defensive end B.J. Thompson; running back La’Mical Perine and linebacker Darius Harris.
The Al Davis torch — between 49ers and Chiefs banners — was lit by Super Bowl MVPs Fred Biletnikoff, Jim Plunkett and Marcus Allen pic.twitter.com/ROIp893UF9
— Jerry McDonald (@Jerrymcd) February 11, 2024
Pregame: The Al Davis torch is lit up inside Allegiant Stadium. The three Raiders Super Bowl MVPs, Marcus Allen, Jim Plunkett, and Fred Biletnikoff, do the honors. Some boos from those in attendance when “The Autumn Wind” is played.
#49ers captains for #SuperBowl coin toss
George Kittle
Deebo Samuel
Arik Armstead
Trent Williams
Fred Warner#Niners All-Tails Fred loses toss, will receive kickoff from defending champion Chiefs pic.twitter.com/V0i4ipjIo9— Cam Inman (@CamInman) February 11, 2024
Pregame: Post Malone sings America the Beautiful. Reba with the National Anthem, clocking in at about 1:43, hitting the over. Coaches and players from the Lahainaluna High School football team are present for the coin toss. The Chiefs win the coin toss and defer to the second half. The 49ers will start with the ball.
1Q, 12:15 – 49ers 0, Chiefs 0: The 49ers drive 46 yards on five plays but Christian McCaffrey has the ball stripped. Chiefs recover, and have the ball at their own 27. Brock Purdy was 2 for 2 on that drive for 29 yards, but Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City’s offense now take over. Just the third fumble of the season for McCaffrey.
1Q, 10:16 — 49ers 0, Chiefs 0: Chiefs move the ball just six yards on three plays as the 49ers defense showed it was ready. Greenlaw assisted on two tackles. Kansas City punts to 49ers’ 24-yard line.
1Q, 6:28 — 49ers 0, Chiefs 0: Trent Williams flagged twice on that drive, putting the 49ers in a spot where they had to try and come back from a 2nd and 27. Brock Purdy gets some yards back, but the 49ers have to punt on 4th and 12 (after a false start call). Purdy is 5-for-5 for 5 for 67 yards. After a 54-yard punt by Mitch Wishnowsky, Kansas City takes over at its own 11.
1Q, 3:53 — 49ers 0, Chiefs 0: 49ers defense continues its impressive start, as the Chiefs manage one first down but get no further. Young with a sack, and Warner and Gregory with tackles. San Francisco has shown an ability to get to Mahomes, which is absolutely critical. After a huge Chiefs punt, 49ers take over at their own 17.
2Q, 14:48 — 49ers 3, Chiefs 0: 49ers are driving the ball, and will have a 2nd and 10 at the Chiefs’ 33 to start the second quarter. Purdy was 8 of 10 for 105 yards in the first quarter. After a pair of incomplete passes, Jake Moody sets a new Super Bowl record with a 55-yard field goal, capping the 10-play, 46-yard drive and giving the Niners the lead.