Brandon Aiyuk made a key catch to kickstart the San Francisco 49ers’ epic NFC Championship Game comeback over the Detroit Lions. The play may instantly secure a special place in the franchise’s history, but SportsCenter didn’t deem it the top moment from Sunday’s NFL action.
Down 24-10 in the third quarter, a deep pass bounced off the helmet of a Lions defender and into Aiyuk’s hands for a 51-yard catch. Aiyuk followed the jaw-dropping highlight with a six-yard touchdown grab, bringing San Francisco closer to a 34-31 victory.
On Monday, Aiyuk saw his play appear on SportsCenter‘s Top Ten. However, it drew the second spot behind Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson catching his own deflected pass.
“Number two? Who the h–l [do they] have at one then?” Aiyuk asked in a video posted on his Instagram Stories.
As Jackson’s play appeared, Aiyuk said, “Man get the f-” before the video ended.
[Warning: Video contains profane language.]
Brandon Aiyuk’s crazy catch didn’t make it to No. 1 on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays.
Aiyuk’s reaction to finding out what No. 1 was 😂pic.twitter.com/72bj6awjk0
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 29, 2024
Up 24-7 ar halftime, Detroit looked posted to punch its first ticket to the Super Bowl. The 49ers then flipped a switch.
San Francisco registered 27 straight points, scoring on five straight drives in the second half. Believers in momentum will consider Aiyuk’s catch a major turning point that gave life to the home team’s rally.
“Before the game, a ladybug landed on my shoe, and y’all know what that means… Just great luck,” Aiyuk told Erin Andrews after the game. “God was with us today. Great win.”
One can argue Jackson’s throw and reception was more spectacular in a vacuum, but it didn’t affect the outcome of the Baltimore Ravens’ AFC Championship Game loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Aiyuk’s catch thus may get played more often when recalling the 2023 postseason, especially if San Francisco defeats Kansas City in the Super Bowl.