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How it happened: Chiefs beat 49ers, 25-22, in overtime at Super Bowl LVIII

Joe Nguyen of The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...

The NFL season reaches its finale Sunday in Las Vegas when Christian McCaffrey and the San Francisco 49ers take on Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs at Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium.


Live updates

Final | Chiefs 25, 49ers 22 — OT

Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs are back-to-back Super Bowl champions.

Mahomes threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman with 3 seconds left in overtime, and the Chiefs rallied to beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 on Sunday in the second overtime game in Super Bowl history, becoming the first repeat champs in 19 years and ninth overall.

With pop star Taylor Swift watching boyfriend Kelce from a suite, the Chiefs captured their third Super Bowl title in five years and firmly established themselves as a dynasty. Read the full story.

Overtime updates

Ballgame (8:47 p.m.): Patrick Mahomes leads an amazing 75-yard drive down the field, capped off by 3-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman. — Joe Nguyen

The Niners gave Patrick Mahomes too many chances. A walk-off touchdown pass on what will surely be a career highlight reel drive. Start the Hall of Fame bust now. — Matt Schubert

Patrick Mahomes has a dynasty at 28 and is (likely) just getting going. Simply incredible. — Parker Gabriel

Mahomes’ magic (8:45 p.m.): An epic drive from Patrick Mahomes. This just feels like it’s gonna end in the end zone. What a scramble on third and short. — Matt Schubert

More football? (8:44 p.m.): I wouldn’t mind if this game goes into double OT. Maybe itap in the script. — Ryan McFadden

No call (8:42 p.m.): Fred Warner getting tackled on a third-down blitz. No call. Even still, Mahomes is a wizard. — Parker Gabriel

Fourth-down conversion (8:41 p.m.): Patrick Mahomes is unflappable. — Matt Schubert

Back in time (8:36 p.m.): We’re right back where we were a few minutes ago. San Francisco up 3, and Patrick Mahomes gets the ball with a chance to win it. — Matt Schubert

Field goal, 49ers (8:34 p.m.): Jake Moody with the 27-yard field goal. 49ers 22, Chiefs 19 with 7:22 to go in overtime. — Joe Nguyen

Big gain by CMC (8:29 p.m.): It’s been a lot of Christian McCaffrey this drive. A nice 24-yard catch and run followed by an 8-yard run. — Joe Nguyen

Bailed out (8:25 p.m.): A defensive holding call on the Chiefs bails out what would’ve been fourth down for the 49ers. — Joe Nguyen

Coin toss (8:20 p.m.): 49ers win the coin toss and elect to receive. — Joe Nguyen

OK, under these new rules where both teams are guaranteed possession, I think it’s advantageous to have the ball second, no? You’re getting the ball no matter what. — Matt Schubert

Fourth-quarter updates

Tied up (8:16 p.m.): One incompletion to Kelce in the corner and then a Butker kick. We’re going OT folks.

What was once a dud has now turned into a classic. — Matt Schubert

Crazy (8:14 p.m.): Chiefs ball at the SF 11 with 10 seconds left and one timeout. Absolutely bonkers. — Matt Schubert

Inner thoughts (8:09 p.m.): What must it be like to have Patrick Mahomes across from you in this situation? Or in your huddle? — Parker Gabriel

Field goal, 49ers (8:06 p.m.): Jake Moody nails the 53-yard field goal. 49ers 19, Chiefs 16 with 1:53 to go in the game. — Joe Nguyen

Another massive kick from Moody, this one from 53 yards, and it’s 19-16 with a little less than two minutes to go. — Matt Schubert

All on this (8:04 p.m.): The game is pretty much on this one snap. Convert and the 49ers can take all of the Chiefs’ timeouts and take a lead. — Matt Schubert

Let ’em play (8:01 p.m.): The lack of whistles in the second half has been very enjoyable and also sets up for a massive flag down the stretch here. — Parker Gabriel

Chess match (7:59 p.m.): Overall, this has been an intriguing game. Solid defense from both sides. A true chess match. Gotta love it. — Ryan McFadden

Field goal, Chiefs (7:53 p.m.): Harrison Butker with 24-yard field goal. We’re all tied up at 16-apiece. — Joe Nguyen

The 49ers defense stands tall inside the 5-yard line. We’re going to have a tie game going into the final 5:46. This game is sitting there for San Francisco … again. — Matt Schubert

Defenses have been fun to watch the whole way and now this has really turned into a heck of a game. — Parker Gabriel

Gotta step on the gas (7:52 p.m.): The 49ers let Patrick Mahomes hang around in this game too long. — Matt Schubert

Perpetually open (7:49 p.m.): How many times has Travis Kelce been wide open on third down in his career? It’s incredible. — Parker Gabriel

MVP (7:45 p.m.): Jauan Jennings MVP odds had to be really good. — Matt Schubert

According to BetMGM, Jennings has +275 odds to win the MVP. Patrick Mahomes has +150, Brock Purdy’s at +250 and Christian McCaffrey is +500. — Joe Nguyen

Touchdown, 49ers (7:41 p.m.): Brock Purdy connects with Jauan Jennings for the 10-yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked. 49ers 16, Chiefs 13 with 11:22 to go in the fourth quarter. — Joe Nguyen

Heck of an answer from the 49ers. Fourth down conversion and great throw from Brock Purdy results in a TD. And then a blocked extra point … because they 49ers just refuse to grab this game by the throat. — Matt Schubert

So much talk about all of the Niners’ offensive versatility — McCaffrey, Deebo, Juice, Kittle. And Jauan Freakin’ Jennings throws a TD and catches one in the Super Bowl. — Parker Gabriel

Gutsy call (7:40 p.m.): Fourth-and-3 and the 49ers went for it. George Kittle’s reach gives San Francisco the first down. — Joe Nguyen

Missed opportunity (7:39 p.m.): Gotta have that throw to Deebo, man. That’s a go-ahead TD. — Parker Gabriel

Third-quarter analysis — Chiefs 13, 49ers 10

Matt Schubert, sports editor: One quarter to go and the Niners are driving down 13-10. Kyle Shanahan has 15 minutes to exorcise his Super Bowl demons. Otherwise, this one is going to hurt.

Third-quarter updates

Staying the same (7:31 p.m.): Kyle Shanahan isn’t doing much to dispel the shaky Super Bowl coach narrative right now. — Matt Schubert

Touchdown, Chiefs (7:25 p.m.): After the Chiefs recovered the muffed catch at the 49ers 16-yard line, Patrick Mahomes connected with Marquez Valdes-Scantling for the touchdown. Chiefs 13, 49ers 10 with 2:28 to go. — Joe Nguyen

This entire season has been dark magic for the Chiefs. That they could somehow finish it with another Lombardi Trophy is unfathomable. — Matt Schubert

Special teams (7:24 p.m.): The 49ers are doing their best to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. — Joe Nguyen

And the 49ers special teams had been playing so well… — Matt Schubert

Three times Kyle Shanahan’s had a double-digit lead in the second half of a Super Bowl. Going to need a comeback now to avoid a third loss. — Parker Gabriel

Forcing it (7:21 p.m.): And now we’ve reached the “Brock Purdy is lucky that didn’t get picked” portion of the evening. — Matt Schubert

Kyle Shanahan, he of infamous Super Bowl second halves, is at eight passes and one run on three straight three-and-outs this quarter. — Parker Gabriel

Run the ball (7:18 p.m.): I’m not an expert but the Niners should run the dang ball. — Parker Gabriel

Injury update (7:17 p.m.): Deebo back on the field. — Matt Schubert

Defense (7:16 p.m.): With the way the 49ers defense is playing, maybe a decent time to point out that Carolina owner David Tepper could have just, you know, hired Steve Wilks as his HC a year ago after he took over for Matt Rhule and coached his butt off the rest of the year. Instead he just had to have Frank Reich. — Parker Gabriel

Field goal (7:14 p.m.): New record again! Harrison Butker broke Jake Moody’s field goal record by nailing a 57-yarder. 49ers 10, Chiefs 6 with 5:01 to go in the third quarter. — Joe Nguyen

So far the stars of this game are the … kickers? — Matt Schubert

“Partial streaker” (7:13 p.m.): Trying to picture a “partial streaker.” — Matt Schubert

You’re either a streaker or you’re not a streaker. There are no half measures. — Parker Gabriel

Mahomes (7:11 p.m.): Congrats if you had Patrick Mahomes read-option on your bingo card. — Matt Schubert

We’ve reached the OK, Pat, Get Us This Ring stage of the proceedings. — Parker Gabriel

Big play (7:08 p.m.): 49ers receiver Chris Conley just made a huge tackle on Chiefs returner Richie James, doing a clothesline takedown. — Joe Nguyen

Deebo Samuels injury (7:06 p.m.): Deebo Samuel down on the turf. The Niners have now blown several chances to take control of this. — Matt Schubert

Broncos appearance (7:01 p.m.): Peyton Manning and a dude in a Manning Broncos jersey appeared in this year’s Bud Light commercial. Dana White and Post Malone also made appearances. — Joe Nguyen

Shaky KC (6:58 p.m.): Chiefs still looking shaky. Don’t want to be burning timeouts this early in the second half. — Matt Schubert

Best commercial? (6:55 p.m.): Feels like Dunkin Donuts is in pole position on the commercial front. But that’s just me. — Matt Schubert

Gift (6:51 p.m.): The Chiefs are begging the 49ers to take control of this game. And the 49ers are refusing to do it. — Matt Schubert

Picked off (6:48 p.m.): Ji’Ayir Brown picked off Patrick Mahomes, who — according to CBS Sports — is on a career-worst slump of 14 consecutive drives without a touchdown. — Joe Nguyen

Not a great start (6:47 p.m.): Isaiah Pacheco fumbles the toss. Chiefs lose 12 yards on that play. — Joe Nguyen

Paramount (6:41 p.m.): Patrick Stewart out here assaulting cartoon characters. — Joe Nguyen

Halftime analysis — 49ers 10, Chiefs 3

Joe Nguyen, digital strategist: In terms of the betting odds, the 49ers are now 3.5-point favorites to win the game (up from 2 before kick-off). Christian McCaffrey is the favorite to win the MVP at +150, followed by Brock Purdy (+165), Patrick Mahomes (+275) and Chase Young (+2,500).

Second-quarter updates

Aggressiveness (6:13 p.m.): Conversely, not sure why Shanahan wasn’t more aggressive trying to get the ball back. The power of Mahomes, I suppose.

Even still, KC’s offensive line has its hands full and more against this Randy Gregory-led (OK, kidding) 49ers defensive front. — Parker Gabriel

Squished (6:09 p.m.): Patrick Mahomes got sacked on third down by Arik Armstead. Harrison Butker nails the 28-yard field goal. 49ers 10, Chiefs 3 with 20 seconds to go in the first half. — Joe Nguyen

Chiefs threatening (6:07 p.m.): Third-and-5 at the 9-yard line with 29 seconds to go in the half. — Joe Nguyen 

Timeout? (6:06 p.m.): Why did the Chiefs call timeout there? Wouldn’t you want to bleed the clock at this point in the half? — Matt Schubert

Scoring chance (6:03 p.m.): This is starting to feel a lot like Bucs-Chiefs. — Matt Schubert

Deja vu? (5:57 p.m.): This is starting to feel a lot like Bucs-Chiefs. — Matt Schubert

Dunkin’ Donuts (5:53 p.m.): Dunkin’ Donuts the real MVP. — Matt Schubert

Touchdown, Colorado kid (5:50 p.m.): OK, so that was a lateral to Jauan Jennings who then threw the ball across the field to Christian McCaffrey, who took off for 21 yards for the touchdown. 49ers 10, Chiefs 0 with 4:23 to go. — Joe Nguyen

Trick play to busted play to TD. Sorry, Taylor. Ain’t your half. Might not be your night. — Sean Keeler

I can’t believe that just worked. — Matt Schubert

Emotions running high (5:48 p.m.): It’s almost never the first sin that gets called … and almost always the retaliation. Use your head. Don’t slap them. — Sean Keeler

Chiefs losing their composure all over the place. Which one of these teams has won multiple Super Bowls? — Matt Schubert

Big hit (5:46 p.m.): Kareem Jackson gets suspended for life for that last hit. — Matt Schubert

Christian McCaffrey is a cyborg. — Sean Keeler

Oh, Romo, no (5:41 p.m.): If Romo keeps singing, I WILL go all Elvis on this TV set. — Sean Keeler

Living up to potential (5:39 p.m.): Chase Young is finally playing like a second overall pick. — Ryan McFadden

Low-scoring affair (5:38 p.m.): We’re careening toward a kicker being named Super Bowl MVP. Or a punter. — Matt Schubert

Greenlaw injured (5:37 p.m.): I’ve seen some weird injuries, but that is an all-timer. — Matt Schubert

Kelce smash (5:32 p.m.): And we have Travis Kelce blowing a gasket on the sideline. This has not been a good start for KC. — Matt Schubert

Horse collar? (5:30 p.m.): I thought you had to bring a guy down for it to be a horse collar tackle. — Matt Schubert

Remembering Carl Weathers (5:29 p.m.): A touching tribute in the latest Fanduel commercial for actor Carl Weathers, who died on Feb. 1. — Joe Nguyen

I’m not crying, YOU’RE … no, wait. It’s me. I’m crying. Fare thee well, Chubb. — Sean Keeler

Fumbled (5:26 p.m.): HOLY COW, THE CHIEFS GOT CHIEF’D. — Sean Keeler

Mecole Hardman, (almost) last seen fumbling punts against the Broncos and fielding punts in the end zone, coming up with big plays in the Super Bowl.

Well, coming up with plays of momentary significance, at least. — Parker Gabriel

Welp, one fumble deserves another. This is really starting to look like the 49ers’ night. — Matt Schubert

HUGE play (5:25 p.m.): Patrick Mahomes is pretty darn good. Here’s a 53-yard gain to Mecole Hardman. — Joe Nguyen

And all it takes is one play. What a terrible job by the 49ers defensive backs. — Matt Schubert

Spongebob (5:23 p.m.): Remember when Patrick from “Spongebob” made fun of the Broncos? That was only a year ago! — Matt Schubert

Sneaky potential lowlight of the Russell Wilson + Denver era: Getting roasted by Patrick Star on Christmas Day. — Parker Gabriel

49ers field goal (5:20 p.m.): No Gronk in that leg! Super Bowl record. — Sean Keeler

Jake Moody nails the 55-yard field goal. 49ers 3, Chiefs 0 with 14:48 to go in the second quarter. — Joe Nguyen

Defensive stop (5:19 p.m.): Deebo v. McDuffie is either a constitutional law staple or a pretty damn good 1-v-1 matchup in the Super Bowl. — Parker Gabriel

Fantastic play from McDuffy. All these yards and the 49ers have only three points to show for it. — Matt Schubert

Arnold’s State Farm commercial (5:18 p.m.): Arnold currently winning the Super Bowl. — Matt Schubert

Simpsons did it! — Joe Nguyen

First-quarter analysis — 49ers 0, Chiefs 0

Sean Keeler, sports columnist: And our first Chiefs scoreless first quarter in seven weeks is officially in the books. Good omen if you’re Little Shanny.

Matt Schubert, sports editor: We’re one quarter into this thing, and the 49ers offense has looked really good between the 20s … and it’s 0-0. Again, I don’t know if that’s bad or good for the Niners.

First-quarter updates

Walken talkin’ (5:17 p.m.): This BMW commercial feels like a rehash of an .

Purdy good (5:13 p.m.): Brock Purdy has been the best QB on the field through one quarter. — Matt Schubert

Brock Purdy is dealing like a true Vegas veteran. — Parker Gabriel

Offsides (5:11 p.m.): Pretty sure KC lined up offside AGAIN.

Second one went uncalled for whatever reason. — Matt Schubert

Hall of Fame (5:09 p.m.): Randy Gradishar — legend in Orange, glorious in Gold. — Sean Keeler

Mr. Miami (5:07 p.m.): Not sure I love Messi being Mr. Miami. — Matt Schubert

Not sure I love Messi, er, anyone who would wait for a Michelob Ultra. — Joe Nguyen

Mrs. K threw the challenge flag again. “Lionel Messi doesn’t drink American beer. Not DOMESTIC American beer, anyway.” — Sean Keeler

Randy Gregory sighting (5:04 p.m.): The former Broncos edge rusher just sacked Patrick Mahomes to force the punt. — Joe Nguyen

Randy Gregory. Remember him? — Matt Schubert

This is the second-half-vs-Detroit Niners D. Nasty. Flying around. Wasn’t sure which version of that D we’d see. — Sean Keeler

Fun facts (5:02 p.m.): Fun fact: The Chiefs haven’t put up a scoreless first quarter since Christmas Day … at home, against Vegas.

Another fun fact: KC’s only been held scoreless in the first five times all year. The Fighting Andys went 2-3 in those games. — Sean Keeler

Mountain Dew (5 p.m.): Aubrey Plaza’s Mountain Dew commercial features WWE pro wrestler Jade Cargill. — Joe Nguyen

Punt (4:59 p.m.): As good as the 49ers offense has looked so far, they really should have at least six points right now. Don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing. — Matt Schubert

Improvement? (4:56 p.m.): Don’t look now, but it appears the Broncos are close to adding Jim Leonhard to their defensive coaching staff. Maybe an upgrade? — Matt Schubert 

Big gain (4:53 p.m.): Brock Purdy connects with Brandon Aiyuk for an 18-yard gain. — Joe Nguyen

With McCaffrey, Deebo, Aiyuk and Kittle to throw to, Jared Polis would throw for 20 scores in this Niners offense. — Sean Keeler

Can’t believe I’m saying this, but … maybe the 49ers should put the game in Brock Purdy’s hands?!?! — Matt Schubert

Kingdom? (4:51 p.m.): Fewer Apes, more Deadpool! — Sean Keeler

49ers defense steps up (4:49 p.m.): Three plays, 6 yards for the Chiefs. A punt and San Francisco gets the ball back. — Joe Nguyen

Three-and-out for KC. Very ordinary Chiefs offense to start this thing. Of course, they’ve looked ordinary pretty much all seasons, so… — Matt Schubert

Fumble (4:44 p.m.): Oh, Lordy, it’s the AFC title game ALL OVER AGAIN. — Sean Keeler

Uh oh. Teams are shooting themselves in the foot again against the Chiefs defense.

Our local boy is the one to cough it up. That was a VERY promising drive and now it just feels like a punt. — Matt Schubert

CMC focus (4:43 p.m.): Christian McCaffrey already getting a lot of attention from the Chiefs defense. — Matt Schubert

49ers start (4:41 p.m.): San Francisco will start with the ball on their own 25-yard line. First play goes to Christian McCaffrey (did we tell you he’s from Colorado?). CMC goes for 6. — Joe Nguyen

And here comes my mom’s new favorite player (Purdy) against my mom’s OLD favorite player (Mahomes). Tony Romo hurts my ears. — Sean Keeler

Today’s big bet: Which Kansas City defensive back’s facemask will serve as a backboard for Brock Purdy’s biggest completion of the game? — Matt Schubert

Pre-game updates

Waiting game (4:40 p.m.): Are we nearing the point that Taylor Swift endorses Joe Biden and the Chiefs return the opening kick for a touchdown?

Is there anything more tacky than the fake flame at Allegiant Stadium?

A lot of red in the stadium. Most be a pro Cardinals crowd. — Matt Schubert

To be fair, it’s among the LEAST “fake” things on the Strip. — Sean Keeler

Coin toss (4:36 p.m.): 49ers call tails. Kansas City defers. San Francisco will start with the ball on offense. — Joe Nguyen

Slow start (4:35 p.m.): They told me the Super Bowl was starting at 4:30 p.m. — Matt Schubert

Which means, on NFL™ time, is 4:41. Ish.

Full disclosure for those reading: Mrs. K is a Chiefs fan. From a Chiefs family. (I am … not.)

Less Taylor, more Deadpool! — Sean Keeler

Gronk’s kick (4:34 p.m.): Howdy from the (non)-palatial Keeler estate, where Mrs. K is going to assist in provide running commentary, by proxy, through the first half. “Gronk’s kick was a fix! A FIX!” Annnnnnnnd, we’re off. — Sean Keeler

Entrances (4:19 p.m.): Looks like the two teams are coming out from whatever that infinity box that trapped The Weeknd a few years ago. — Joe Nguyen

A familiar voice (4:09 p.m.): If that voice sounds familiar, it should. Alan Roach, the longtime Broncos PA announcer, is the PA announcer for Super Bowl LVIII. — Joe Nguyen

Inactives (3:18 p.m.): For the 49ers, the inactive players are: QB Brandon Allen, DL Alex Barrett, WR Ronnie Bell, LB Jalen Graham, DL T.Y. McGill, OL Matt Prior and CB Samuel Womack II.

For the Chiefs, the inactive players are: CB Ekow Boye-Doe, LB Darius Harris, RB La’Mical Perine, WR Justyn Ross, DE BJ Thompson and WR Kadarius Toney.

Betting favorites (2 p.m.): We’re about two-and-a-half hours before kick-off is scheduled. The 49ers are slight favorites (-2) over the Chiefs, according to BetMGM.

Patrick Mahomes is the early favorite to win the game’s MVP award at +145 — meaning a $100 bet would win $145. He’s followed by 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (+230), San Francisco running back (and Colorado native) Christian McCaffrey (+450) and Taylor Swift’s main squeeze Travis Kelce (+1,200). — Joe Nguyen

Watch parties (1:55 p.m.): Are you a Chiefs or a 49ers fan and want to find others to cheer with today? Here’s a list of the watch parties hosted by the two fanbases’ Denver chapters. — Joe Nguyen


49ers-Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII: Must-reads

Many tried to stop Christian McCaffrey during his Colorado high school days. Few could. “He did whatever he wanted”

One moment, Blake Nelson had the perfect angle to stop a bubble screen for a loss near the sideline. The next, he was laying on the turf, subject to the full Christian McCaffrey Experience. Thatap just one tableau of many from McCaffrey’s storied prep days at Valor Christian from 2010 to ’13 when the dynamic running back and Colorado native was the centerpiece of four straight state title teams.

As the San Francisco 49ers star prepares to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday’s Super Bowl, the players and coaches who tried to stop McCaffrey during his Colorado prep days now speak with reverence about the time they shared a field with the future All-Pro. For many, it represents a brush with athletic greatness they’ll never forget. For others, it stands as the most frustrating 48 minutes of their careers.

One thing just about all of them agree on: McCaffrey, at his best, was “untackleable,” Kyle Newman reports. Read the full story.

Keeler: Gary Kubiak on Kyle Shanahan, Christian McCaffrey, his sons and Broncos West in Super Bowl LVIII: “I miss football a lot, and this gets me a chance to stay in it”

While Mike Shanahan and Kubiak were pushing buttons and kicking tail for the Broncos and 49ers, a young Kyle, the Cherry Creek alum now coaching in his second Super Bowl with San Francisco in the last four years, got tasked with babysitting the Kubiak boys. Sometimes, things went … you know, sideways.

“Somebody told me the other day, ‘You know that you’ve been part of three world championships with Ed McCaffrey?’” the elder Kubiak said. “So, yeah, we have a lot of history together. And Christian was running around as a little kid back in those days. Life comes full circle, man.”

No kidding. Klint, the kid whose tighty-whiteys once dangled from said doorknob, is now Kyle’s offensive passing game specialist and, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the next offensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints. Klay, that other young rapscallion, is Kyle’s assistant quarterbacks coach with the Niners. Flail and forgive, apparently, Sean Keeler writes. Read the full column.

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