It’s official: The Chiefs and the 49ers are going to the Super Bowl.

Sunday’s AFC and NFC Championship games were much anticipated by many Americans. 64 million people tuned in to watch the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens face off on CBS, which broke the record for viewership of a championship game on that channel. The record was previously held by the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers game, which had 54 million viewers. 

Fox, the channel that aired the San Francisco 49ers versus Detroit Lions game, amassed 56 million viewers, which was more than last year’s playoff for the AFC title between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals.

This year’s round of championship games was refreshing to many, as the Ravens and the 49ers were not expected to make it this far in the season, but were able to clinch the playoff spots- but the Lions are a different story.

The Detroit Lions finding their way to the playoffs was a shock to many, but after an inspiring season, they found themselves at an NFC Championship game for the first time since 1992. 

With their shocking success, the Lions had many fans, all rooting for the “underdog” of the game. Rapper Eminem, who is from Detroit, made an appearance at the game in all of his Lion’s gear. 

Many people whose teams didn’t appear in the matchup were also rooting for Detroit, like Desert Oasis junior Paige Milner. Although she’s a Cleveland Browns fan, she was hoping Detroit could pull off a win. “I am sad for the Lions,” she says, “ but they probably should’ve gone for the field goals then.”

In a close game, the Lions lost to the 49ers, with the final score shaping up to 34-31. While the Lions had control of the game in the first half, two opportunities to gain points through a field goal were missed after Coach Dan Campbell moved for the team not to kick. While Campbell is facing controversy for his decisions, he says he doesn’t regret any of his calls.

“I just felt good about us converting, getting our momentum, and not letting them play long ball…I understand the scrutiny I’ll get — That’s just the gig, man,” Campbell explains.

Other people leaned toward the Lion’s opponent, the 49ers, such as Makayla Barnhill, a junior at Desert Oasis.

“I knew the 49ers were gonna make it back in the second half like they always do,” says Barnhill. Even though her favorite team is making it to the Super Bowl, it’s not quite the outcome she had hoped for. “I am so mad about the outcome for the Ravens…I was rooting for the 49ers and the Ravens to go to the Super Bowl.”

The Raven’s game, although entertaining, resulted in a loss for Baltimore, 17-10.  Missed opportunities, such as a fumble right before the end zone from rookie Zay Flowers, and a throw from Jackson intercepted by Chiefs safety Deon Bush, resulted in the sudden end of an incredible season for Jackson and the Ravens. 

“The playoffs have been great. The Chiefs/Ravens game was close and the 49ers/Lions game involved an amazing comeback to win for San Francisco,” says AP US history teacher, Mr. Luton. Luton’s favorite team, the Los Angeles Chargers, played the Chiefs on January 7th, losing by only one point, allowing the Chiefs to move on towards their Super Bowl goal. 

The Kansas City Chiefs are, of course, the biggest conversation after the playoffs, as they are set to face the 49ers in Las Vegas on February 11th.

The Chiefs, who beat the Ravens by seven points on Sunday, are no stranger to the Super Bowl. Super Bowl LVIII will be the team’s fourth Super Bowl appearance in 5 years. If they win this year, they’ll have secured their second Super Bowl win in a row, and the fourth in franchise history. 

With players like Mahomes and Kelce, two of the best in the league in their respective positions, the Kansas City Chiefs are almost unstoppable. Since 2017, when Mahomes was drafted 10th overall to the team, they’ve gradually become one of the best teams in NFL history. Many people are describing the AFC champions as “inevitable,” saying that the Ravens had the chance to stop the powerhouse of a team, but just couldn’t quite get it. 

While the Chiefs aren’t favored to win Super Bowl LVIII, they also weren’t favored to win their playoff game against the Ravens. The Ravens were favored by a margin of -4.5, and still lost to the Chiefs. 

What might be even bigger news, though: Taylor Swift.

Taylor Swift made an appearance at the AFC Championship game to support her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce. Swift has made multiple appearances at Chiefs games throughout the season, and usually sits with Kelce’s family.

The NFL often grabs shots of Swift to put her on the screen, as her presence at the game has brought the NFL increased viewership. Fans from many teams, however, are upset that the cameras keep panning to the superstar.

Kashmin Sandher, an 11th grader at Desert Oasis, says she doesn’t mind Taylor Swift, and that she even listens to some of her songs. “I feel that she does bring a lot more fans to the NFL and brings a new opportunity for fathers to bond with their daughters, [but] I feel like the cameras are always showing her reaction,” says Sandher. Many fans also cite their irritation with the singer as they just want to be able to watch football, not Taylor Swift. “I believe that they are showing Swift a lot because of views and how much money she can bring in… she has so many fans and they’re all watching and supporting Travis Kelce and the Chiefs.” Sandher, a Las Vegas Raiders fan, will not be cheering for her team’s division rival. “[Kelce] is funny and he’s really good, he shows up when his team needs him,” she explains, “…but I despise the Chiefs.”

Regardless of who the cameras are focused on, one thing is for sure: The Super Bowl will be an interesting matchup between two of the most popular teams in the NFL. The game will take place on Sunday, February 11th, at 3:30 pm in Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, parallel to the famous Las Vegas strip.

“ I will be rooting for Kansas City to win the Super Bowl in Las Vegas,” says Mr. Luton. “My final score forecast is… Chiefs 24, 49ers 20.”

“33-24 49ers. It’s gonna happen- Brock Purdy is gonna go all out,” bets Barnhill.

“Though I wish nobody would win,” jokes Sandher, “I’m going for the 49ers…35-28.”

See you on Super Bowl Sunday… and may the best team win!