Chiefs beat 49ers in thrilling Super Bowl LVIII: Live updates | CNN (2024)

Tears, kisses and confetti: Super Bowl victory celebrations create indelible images.

Here’s what it looked like as the Kansas City Chiefs relished their second consecutive Super Bowl victory in Las Vegas on Sunday night:

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs celebrate after scoring the game-winning touchdown in overtime to defeat the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl.

Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith cries in the end zone after winning the Super Bowl.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, center, celebrates.

Mahomes is reflected in the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Taylor Swift kisses Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Wanya Morris celebrates on the field.

Confetti rains down inside Allegiant Stadium after the Chiefs won.

Head coach Andy Reid is splashed by players after the game.

Mahomes celebrates just after defeating the 49ers.

Travis Kelce lifts the Lombardi Trophy.

President Joe Biden congratulated the Kansas City Chiefs for their Super Bowl win Sunday night.

He said he was ready to welcome the Chiefs back to the White House.

Vice President Harris, a 49ers fan, also congratulated the team on Threads.

“From this Niners fan to Chiefs Kingdom:Congratulationson your Super Bowl victory. This Kansas City Chiefs team is a force. Your skill and determination this season were an inspiration to us all. I’ll see you at the White House,” she said.

Taylor Swift kisses Travis Kelce after the Chiefs won the Super Bowl.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrated his team’s Super Bowl win with girlfriend Taylor Swift on the field after the game.

While on stage during the Vince Lombardi Trophy presentation, Kelce was amped, touting the Chiefs’ hard work and well-earned win. He said the team is going to party tonight, and chanted, “Viva Las Vegas,” (where today’s game was played) at a volume that probably rendered the microphone unnecessary.

He then went on to hug Swift in a sweet moment on the field.

It’s a fitting end to a season of Football (Taylor’s Version).

What started as a tense game of grinding offenses and tight defense exploded into a thriller finish Sunday night in Las Vegas.

The Kansas City Chiefs emerged victorious, defeating the San Francisco 49ers on the back of all-world quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

These are more of the best photos from just the second Super Bowl to ever go to overtime:

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa chases Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the second half of the Super Bowl.

Taylor Swift reacts during the second half.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates a touchdown.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings celebrates after scoring a touchdown.

Jauan Jennings celebrates with his teammates.

San Francisco 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown intercepts a pass from Patrick Mahomes.

Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass during the fourth quarter.

Kansas City Chiefs fan reacts to a play during the game.

Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs kicks a 24-yard field goal to tie the game in the final minutes.

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) chases Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

When the game was on the line, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes called his own number, making two huge plays with his legs before slinging a touchdown pass for an overtime victory.

The effort earned him his third Super Bowl MVP award.

How it happened: With a fourth down in overtime in his own half of the field — knowing if they failed to convert, the Chiefs would lose the Super Bowl — Mahomes ran for the needed yardage and kept the drive going.

On the next set of downs, he made a clutch throw on the run to convert on third down.

And then there was his biggest play yet: A huge scramble up the middle for 19 yards to the San Francisco 13-yard line. The man with the golden arm was getting it done on the ground, willing his team to victory the way he had so many times this season.

He finished it off with a short pass to receiver Mecole Hardman for a touchdown and a back-to-back Super Bowl championship.

Despite struggling earlier in the game, a big-game player delivered on the biggest stage.

Beyoncéknows how to break the internet.

She attempted to do that again on Sunday when she teased the release of new music in a Verizon ad that debuted during theSuper Bowl.

Moments later on herofficial website, the Grammy-winner and Texas native posted a clip of a new song that sounds like a departure from her most recent dance-centric album “Renaissance,” with a guitar strumming along to a tune about the card game Texas hold ‘em.

“Act II” and the date March 29 was listed on her site.

Thead spot, titled “Can’t B Broken,” featured “Veep” actor Tony Hale challenging Beyoncé to break the cellular service company’s 5G capabilities, and she accepted the challenge in glorious fashion.

“It’s Verizon 5G, the network’s crazy powerful,” Hale said, adding, “Bet you can’t break that!”

Confidently, Beyoncé retorts, “Bet you I can.”

Beyoncé proceeds to go to great lengths to prove Hale wrong.

She is seen causing a scene at a lemonade stand in a nod to her hit 2016 album “Lemonade,” introducing a robotic version of herself called “Beyoncé-AI” and even a Beyoncé Barbie, aptly named “Barb-Bey.”

With no luck, she continues her attempts by announcing that she’s “running for Beyoncé of the United States” and attempts to become “the first woman to launch the first rocket for the first performance in space” as she takes off in a space shuttle and performs a routine in zero gravity.

At the very end, the star is heard saying, “OK, they ready. Drop the new music.”

With that kind of an exit, if anybody can break Verizon … It’s Beyoncé.

Patrick Mahomes celebrates after winning the Super Bowl.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is ready to deem his Kansas City Chiefs a dynasty after they won back-to-back Super Bowl championships.

It’s the Chiefs’ third Super Bowl championship in five years, and they’ve played deep into the postseason in each of Mahomes’ six years as a starter. It’s hard to argue with a resume like that.

Star tight end Travis Kelce agreed: “The goal has always been to get three (championships), but we couldn’t get here without getting to two, and having that target on our back all year,” he said on the CBS broadcast. “And I love these guys right here. The men that we just won this thing with — family forever, baby.”

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs celebrate winning the Super Bowl.

The Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday became back-to-back NFL champions, accomplishing something that had not been done in 19 years.

The New England Patriots last accomplished the feat in 2003-04 and 2004-05.

No team has ever won three straight Super Bowls. The Chiefs will have a chance next year.

Mecole Hardman Jr. of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with Patrick Mahomes after scoring the game-winning touchdown in overtime.

The Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII after producing a stunning overtime touchdown drive to beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes masterminded an excellent 14-play, 75-yard touchdown drive in overtime following the 49ers’ field goal to go ahead, culminating in a three-yard pass to receiver Mecole Hardman to clinch the victory.

The win cements the Chiefs’ legacy as the NFL’s next great dynasty, becoming the first back-to-back NFL champions in 19 years and winning its third ring under head coach Andy Reid and with Mahomes as quarterback.

Patrick Mahomes runs for a first down in overtime.

When the game was on the line, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes called his own number.

With a fourth down in overtime in his own half of the field — knowing if they failed to convert, they’d lose the Super Bowl — Mahomes ran for the needed yardage and kept the drive going.

A big-game player delivered on the biggest stage.

On the next set of downs, he made a clutch throw to convert on third down, and the Chiefs are in business.

There have been 58 Super Bowls, and what we’re all seeing tonight is a piece of history.

It’s just the second time the NFL’s biggest game has gone to overtime – both of which have come in the last 10 years.

The only time it has happened previously was in 2017, in Super Bowl LI, when the New England Patriots stormed back from a 28-3 deficit to defeat the Atlanta Falcons.

Christian McCaffrey, right, runs the ball in overtime.

Running back Christian McCaffrey may be bloodied, bruised and battered – but he’s made several key plays for the 49ers and appears to have brought them to the brink of Super Bowl glory.

McCaffrey, who could be seen gasping for air after several hard-charging runs in overtime, has totaled up 160 yards – 80 receiving and 80 rushing. Though the San Francisco overtime drive stalled and resulted in a field goal, McCaffrey has undoubtedly been the most dynamic player on the field for the 49ers tonight.

Should the 49ers pull this one out, it’ll be hard to choose between McCaffrey and Jauan Jennings – who threw a pass to the running back for a touchdown and caught one of his own – for the game’s MVP.

San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody kicks a field goal in overtime.

The 49ers are back in front again, in just the second overtime in Super Bowl history.

After benefitting from an earlier penalty, San Francisco embarked on a dominant drive down the field, looking for all the world like it would score a go-ahead touchdown in overtime.

But just at the right moment, the Chiefs defense stood up — in particular, defensive tackle Chris Jones — forcing a field goal from Jake Moody to give the 49ers a 22-19 advantage.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will have an opportunity now to possess the ball and try to either tie or get a game-winning touchdown.

Kansas City cornerback Trent McDuffie just handed the San Francisco 49ers a lifeline.

The Niners looked set to punt after Brock Purdy threw an incomplete pass on 3rd and 13, but the Chiefs cornerback was flagged for holding on San Francisco wide receiver Jauan Jennings.

The 49ers took the fresh set of downs and systematically drove down the field, putting themselves in position to take the lead on the first possession of overtime.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce yells after a play during the second half.

For all the hype surrounding one of the game’s best tight ends of all time, Travis Kelce had a quiet game until the fourth quarter.

Through most of the first three quarters, Kelce had only caught two balls on two targets. By the end of the game, he’d gone for a big catch with fewer than 20 seconds remaining to put the Chiefs inside the San Francisco 20-yard line, and capped off a stellar run toward the end of regulation.

Through four quarters, Kelce has eight catches for 86 yards, helping spark the Chiefs offense in the second half. Four of those catches came in the fourth quarter, as a drab affair roared to life in dramatic fashion.

And yes, Taylor Swift seems to be as nervous as the rest of us watching, based on the latest shots from the CBS broadcast.

Referee Bill Vinovich performs the coin toss before overtime.

Sixty minutes of regulation was not enough to separate the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers at Super Bowl LVIII — we’re going to overt, for just the second time in Super Bowl history.me.

According to NFL rules for the playoffs, both teams are guaranteed an opportunity to possess the ball at least once, even if the team receiving the kickoff scores a touchdown. The game can only end sooner if the team that kicks off the period forces a safety on the receiving team’s initial possession (unlikely, but possible).

The teams will play a 15-minute period. Once both teams have had an opportunity to possess the ball, whichever team takes the lead next will win the game.

Didn’t this used to work differently? Yes. Previously, the team that received the opening kickoff in overtime would win the game if they scored a touchdown on their first possession.

The rule was changed after a game in the 2022 postseason when the Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills 42-36 by winning the coin toss and scoring a touchdown with the first possession, ending the game with the Bills never getting an opportunity to reply.

The ending of the AFC divisional round matchup shined a light on the rule, with some fans declaring it the worst in sports.

The NFL’s overtime rules now are more similar to college football’s, which many had argued were fairer than the NFL’s previous rules.

Other rules to keep in mind:

After almost 60 minutes of action, Super Bowl LVIII is going to overtime.

Harrison Butker’s 29-yard field goal with three seconds remaining tied the scores at 19-19.

It came at the end of a lightning quick drive from Mahomes and the Chiefs, with Travis Kelce having the key play of the drive, catching a 22-yard pass and rumbling down the sideline.

Cameras immediately cut to Taylor Swift in the crowd, who looked like she couldn’t believe what she was watching.

San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody kicks a field goal in the second half.

The 49ers took a late fourth quarter lead thanks to the leg of Jake Moody, who recovered from his earlier missed extra point.

The rookie kicker — who earlier in the game set the record for the longest field goal in a Super Bowl, only for it to be broken shortly afterward — belted through a 53-yarder to give his team a three-point lead at 19-16 with just under two minutes remainder.

What a huge moment for the young man from Michigan.

Over to you, Patrick Mahomes.

CNN’s team inside the stadium kept track of the celebrities spotted on the massive Allegiant Stadium video boards during commercial breaks.

They included:

And then, there’s the infamous: During a break in the action, two fans ran from the south end zone and made it to about the 25-yard line before being tackled by security, according to CNN crews in the stadium.

The incident wasn’t shown on TV, as is standard practice. Those fans won’t be coming to another game at Allegiant Stadium any time soon.

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay stops San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy during the second half.

The 49ers quarterback was once “Mr. Irrelevant” – the player chosen last in the 2022 NFL Draft – in Las Vegas.

A little less than two years later, all eyes are on him as he brings the 49ers to the brink of a Super Bowl championship.

Purdy, just 24 years old, is trying to lead his team down the field to break a tied Super Bowl with less than two minutes to go. It’s a level of intense pressure that no one could have imagined him facing when the draft was held in this very city in 2022.

There’s just two minutes left in this game. A key third down play is coming up after the two-minute warning.

President Joe Biden made his campaign’s TikTok debut on Sunday night, answering a series of light-hearted Super Bowl-themed questions.

He refused to pick between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs and instead opted for the first lady’s hometown team, the Philadelphia Eagles.

“My wife’s a Philly girl,” he said in the TikTok posted to the Biden HQ account.

He picked game over commercials.

“Mama Kelce” when asked to choose between Jason and Travis Kelce. He jokingly said he would “get in trouble if I told you” when asked if he rigged the game for the Chiefs.

And in the final round of questioning of “Trump or Biden,” he laughed and replied, “Are you kidding? Biden.”

It comes as the campaign is searching for more ways to engage with young voters.

The Biden team has leaned on online influencers during Biden’s first term in office, including meetings with TikTok influencers at the White House. The Democratic National Committee is already on TikTok.

The campaign has not made a decision about whether the principals — Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses — will join TikTok in the future, Biden campaign advisers said.

There are security concerns around the popular video app.

TikTokdoesn’t operatein China. But since the Chinese government enjoys significant leverage over businesses under its jurisdiction, the theory goes that ByteDance, and thus indirectly, TikTok, could be forced to cooperate with a broad range of security activities, including possibly the transfer of TikTok data.

The US government has said it’s worried China could use its national security laws to access the significant amount of personal information that TikTok, like most social media applications, collects from its US users.

The Biden campaign will take “advanced safety precautions” with its devices and will incorporate a “sophisticated security protocol to ensure security,” a Biden campaign adviser said while noting the “campaign’s presence is independent and apart from the ongoing“ Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States review.

Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs kicks a field goal in the fourth quarter.

It appears both offenses have woken up.

Just a drive after the 49ers retook the lead, the Chiefs marched straight down the field with a drive full of big plays from a variety of contributors.

But as Mahomes and company approached the goal line, the San Francisco defense stepped up, leading to a 24-yard field goal for Harrison Butker. He drilled the kick to level the score at 16-16.

San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody's extra point kick is blocked.

The Chiefs’ special teams unit just came up huge again, blocking the extra point attempt from the 49ers to keep the game at 16-13.

The three-point lead for San Francisco means that Kansas City can kick a field goal to tie the game instead of having to go the length of the field to score a touchdown — potentially huge, in a matchup where both offenses have struggled.

Jauan Jennings, 15, celebrates with teammates after catching a touchdown.

What can’t Jauan Jennings do?

After throwing a touchdown pass in the first half, the San Francisco wide receiver caught a score at the start of the fourth quarter to hand his team the lead.

It came after a crucial fourth down catch by tight end George Kittle, one which kept the drive going and set up Jennings’ rumbling touchdown score.

The 49ers lead 16-13 after Moody’s extra point was blocked.

More on Jennings: Jennings caught a Hail Mary touchdown pass on his final play in college as a Tennessee Volunteer to beat Georgia in 2016.

The wide receiver still drives the 2014 Nissan Maxima his step-mom bought him a decade ago, according to The Tennessean.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is seen on the field at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in November.

Anonprofitorganization founded by Robert Kraft — the billionaire businessman and owner of the New England Patriots — has funded a 30-second Super Bowl spot for the “Stand Up to Jewish Hate” campaign.

It’s the first time hisFoundation to Combat Antisemitism is buying an ad during the “most visible platform,” which was watched by 113 million viewers last year and was the third most-watched television program of all time.

The ad campaign debuted a few years ago after several antisemitic incidents, including insidious comments from Kanye West (or Ye), but has taken on new significance in recent months following the October 7 assault by Hamas and ensuing war in Gaza.

Kraft, who built hisestimated $11 billion fortunein the paper business, has recently poured millions of dollars into his foundation.

“This message will make its debut at one of the country’s most significant cultural events to not only continue to push against indifference to Jewish hate, but also to celebrate those who stand up to all incidents of hate,” FCAS said in a news release before the game.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy throws the ball during the second half.

In the space of just 15 minutes, the whole dynamic of Super Bowl LVIII has shifted.

Coming out of halftime, the 49ers had a lead and the Chiefs were struggling.

But after a third quarter in which San Francisco couldn’t sustain a drive and the Chiefs scored 10 straight points, it is the reigning champions who have the advantage.

A field goal from Harrison Butker and a touchdown from Marquez Valdes-Scantling after a muffed punt has the Chiefs leading 13-10 with 15 minutes standing between them and becoming an exceptionally rare back-to-back champion.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (11) celebrates with teammates after catching a touchdown.

The Kansas City Chiefs have found the end zone and have their first lead of Super Bowl LVIII.

Patrick Mahomes lofted the ball to a wide open wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling for an easy score, just one play after the 49ers had a back-breaking muffed punt deep in their own territory.

The Chiefs are up 13-10 on San Francisco with just over a quarter to play.

Jaylen Watson of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after recovering a muffed kick.

The Chiefs offense had struggled to move the ball throughout the game, but their special teams — and a stroke of luck — handed them the opportunity to change their fortunes.

A Chiefs punt bounced off the foot of Darrell Luter Jr., eluded a 49ers teammate and was pounced on by the Chiefs’ Jaylen Watson for a turnover.

After not putting together a touchdown drive all game, the play put the Chiefs at the 49ers’ 16-yard line with the opportunity to score quickly.

Harrison Butker has a big leg — and he just showed his nerve, too.

A short while after San Francisco’s Jake Moody made the Super Bowl’s longest field goal of all time at 55 yards, Butker eclipsed that mark, hitting a 57-yarder to make the score 10-6 midway through the third quarter.

The rookie Moody didn’t get through regulation before he was bumped down a notch in the Super Bowl record book.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel is helped after an injury.

Having already lost a key cog in its defense — linebacker Dre Greenlaw — the 49ers might have just lost star offensive player Deebo Samuel.

The wide receiver collapsed to the turf while running a route with no Chiefs player making contact. He went down clutching at his leg in pain.

After getting treatment from medical staff, he was able to walk off the field under his own power. According to the CBS broadcast, it was a left hamstring injury for Samuel and he was listed as questionable to return.

Samuel has fought through injuries in recent weeks. He fought off a shoulder injury to play in the NFC Championship Game two weeks ago against Detroit.

Although it looked like a potentially problematic injury, Samuel did return to the field on the very next drive, attempting to give it a go on the biggest stage possible.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes attempts to throw under pressure.

Patrick Mahomes is out of sorts.

The Kansas City quarterback largely dragged this Chiefs team to the Super Bowl himself. He’s in discussion as potentially the newest nominee for the Greatest Of All Time label.

But through a half of football in the season’s biggest game, Mahomes is not performing up to his normal standards. While the last drive of the first half improved his numbers somewhat, most of his passing yardage came on one 53-yard completion in the first quarter. He’s also taken two sacks, and threw a truly un-Mahomes interception to start the second half, throwing into double coverage as he scrambled away from pressure yet again.

But there’s still a good chance Mahomes figures it out in the second half – he’s perhaps the best big-game player in the NFL right now – and he’s key to the Chiefs’ chances the rest of the way.

Usher promised a celebration for his Super Bowl halftime show and he did not fumble.

The Grammy-winning artist kicked off a 13-minute mashup of his hits with “Caught Up” and a performance that was a nod to his Las Vegas residency. Accompanied by dozens of dancers, showgirls and acrobats, the set could have been dubbed “Cirque de Usher.”

Here are some of the best shots from the show:

Usher performs during halftime of the Super Bowl.

Alicia Keys performs during halftime.

Usher performs on the field.

Usher performs during the halftime show.

Jermaine Dupri performs onstage during halftime.

Ludacris, left, and Usher perform during the halftime show.

Alicia Keys and Usher perform.

Usher and H.E.R. perform together during halftime.

H.E.R. performs during halftime.

Usher performs during halftime.

San Francisco 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown intercepts a pass from Patrick Mahomes.

Needing a big start to the second half, it couldn’t have gone worse for the Kansas City Chiefs.

First, running back Isiah Pacheco fumbled. He got the ball back, but lost significant yards.

Two plays later, Patrick Mahomes overthrew his receiver. It was gladly picked off by 49ers safety Ji’Ayir Brown.

Usher performs during halftime of the Super Bowl.

In Usher’s epic Super Bowl halftime show, the R&B and pop icon packed 30 years worth of his music into 13 minutes.

The dynamic performance had it all: a live marching band, Billboard topping hits, classic Usher dance moves, big name guest appearances and even rollerskating.

Memorable moments included his duet with Alicia Keys with her red piano on stage. Usher also made sure to showcase Atlanta talent, including hip-hop artists Ludacris and Lil Jon, as well Jackson State University’s Sonic Boom of the South marching band.

He performed some of his biggest hits, like “Caught Up,” “Yeah!” “My Boo” and — rolling across the stage on the aforementioned skates — “OMG.”

It was truly a classic and fun Super Bowl halftime show.

Correction: This post has been updated to correct the name of the marching band that performed during the halftime show.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks to pass the ball in the first half of the Super Bowl.

Patrick “Magic” Mahomes rises to the occasion on the biggest stages. The 28-year-old Mahomes has played 17 playoff games leading into this Super Bowl, essentially a full-season’s worth of playoff games, if you will.

His stats in that “season” are in line with his 2022 NFL MVP numbers: 67.4% completion, 4,802 yards, 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

He will need to make some magic in the second half with his Chiefs down 10-3 at halftime.

So far, he has completed 11 of his 13 pass attempts for 123 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.

He’s not unfamiliar with this situation though: the Chiefs overcame a 10-point deficit to defeat the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV and against the Eagles last year.

Mahomes has repeatedly shined against the best teams, on the biggest stages. He is one of four starting quarterbacks to have two MVP awards and two Super Bowl wins (Tom Brady, Joe Montana and Peyton Manning).

Usher and Alicia Keys perform onstage during the Super Bowl halftime.

Alicia Keys joined Usher during his Super Bowl halftime performance.

Keys started off her portion of the performance with a stripped down piano version of “If I Ain’t Got You,” and then went into a duet with Usher to “My Boo.”

She played a bright red piano to match her outfit.

Usher performs during the halftime show.

R&B and pop icon Usher kicked off his Super Bowl halftime performance with a few of his classic hits.

He opened the set with “Caught Up” before smoothly transitioning into “U Don’t Have to Call.”

It’s time for Usher’s highly anticipated Super Bowl halftime show.

Apple and the NFL have been touting this year’s performance as “30 years in the making,” given that the 45-year-old R&B and pop star began in the industry as a teen.

“It’s been a challenge to squeeze 30 years into 13 minutes,” Usher said of his planned set.

The triple-threat just completed a successful residency in Las Vegas, where the game is being played tonight. He is also releasing a new album.

Bottles of Bud Light sit in a refrigerator at Oriole Park in Baltimore in June.

Bud Lightis back at the Super Bowl, this time with a funny “genie” to grant drinkers’ wishes. The beleaguered beer brand could have used a few miracles itself after one of its rockiest years ever.

The60-second spot, called “Easy Night Out,”is part of Bud Light’s year-long rebrand that debuted at last year’s Super Bowl. This year’s goofy ad features a “new character in the Bud Light universe,” a Bud Light-drinking “genie” who grants wishes to drinkers on a wild night out, the brand announced Tuesday.

Bud Light sales tumbled over the past year after a conservative-media-led backlash to a sponsored social media post featuring atransgender influencer. The brand has been in crisis mode ever since, and the Super Bowl commercial is part of its effort to turn around perception.

“We wanted to get back to the humor the brand has been known for,” Bud Light’s vice president Todd Allen told CNN. “Consumers are expecting us to bring a little bit of light-heartedness and irreverence back, so we listened and that’s what we’re bringing forward.”

The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs head to the locker rooms locked in a tense 10-3 matchup that has had its share of excitement (trick play touchdown, anyone?) despite the lack of explosive scoring.

Here are some of the best shots of the game so far:

Javon Hargrave of the San Francisco 49ers sacks Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.

49ers running back Christian McCaffrey celebrates his touchdown.

George Kittle of the 49ers runs the ball after a catch.

Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs shouts at head coach Andy Reid in the first half after the Chiefs fumbled the ball.

See Also

Chiefs def. Chargers: Recap & analysis

A view inside Allegiant Stadium during the first half of the game.

Mecole Hardman Jr. of the Chiefs pulls in a catch.

Taylor Swift watches the game alongside other celebrities in the stands.

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy takes a hit.

Players watch the coin toss before the first half.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

A gripping first half of Super Bowl LVIII action has come to a close and there’s not much to separate the two teams.

After a scoreless first quarter, Jake Moody’s record-breaking field goal opened the scoring in the third quarter before a double-throw trick play sprung 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey for the game’s opening touchdown.

Harrison Butker did get the Chiefs on the board with a field goal just before halftime.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes have made their ability to adjust at at halftime famous, and they’ll be needing to do so again if they have any hope of winning their third championship ring.

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker makes a field goal.

After almost 30 minutes of action, the Chiefs scored their first points of the game thanks to the leg of kicker Harrison Butker.

After a long drive during which they moved the ball consistently for the first time all game, a sack on third down near the goal line brought out Butker.

Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers runs through Chiefs defenders and scores a touchdown.

The story of the Super Bowl for the first 25 minutes: Two high-powered offenses couldn’t stop killing their own momentum.

Both teams had critical turnovers just as their offenses started to get going. Fumbles from San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey and Kansas City running back Isiah Pacheco put an end to promising drives and are the game’s key plays so far in the first half.

But penalties have also played a major role in stifling both teams’ offenses. A holding penalty wiped out a 47-yard gain for the 49ers in the first quarter and eventually led to a punt. On the Chiefs side of the ball, all-world quarterback Patrick Mahomes was flagged for an intentional grounding penalty as he tried to avoid a sack early in the second quarter, putting the Chiefs deep in their own end as they tried to recover from Pachecho’s fumble.

The trick play from the 49ers — a double-pass from QB Brock Purdy to wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who threw back across the field to Christian McCaffrey for a 21-yard touchdown — broke that trend.

The Chiefs have to now fight through their obvious frustration to do the same. Team leaders could be seen on the game broadcast rallying their sideline to do exactly that.

Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers scores the first touchdown of the Super Bowl.

The 49ers have the first touchdown of Super Bowl LVIII — and they did it in style!

San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy lateraled the ball to wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who in turn threw it all the way across the field to running back Christian McCaffrey, with the running back zipping down the field to score.

“Who had neither Mahomes or Purdy throwing the first touchdown pass of Super Bowl 58 on their bingo card?” adds CNN’s Coy Wire.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw is helped after an injury.

The Super Bowl is the highlight of an NFL player’s career, so any injury on the game’s biggest stage is even more painful — especially one that happened during something seemingly innocuous.

After making some key defensive plays in the opening quarter, 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw went down clutching his left leg after he tried to jog onto the field following a punt.

The 26-year-old was evidently in a lot of pain, unable to put weight on the leg, and was later seen getting carted back to the locker room. He was emotional on the sideline.

According to the CBS broadcast, it was a lower left leg injury, and he was listed as questionable to return. The announcers later added that it was a dreaded achilles injury, according to the team.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. catches a pass.

Just when the Chiefs’ offense looked to be out of a slump, the ball was given right back to the 49ers.

Mahomes heaved a huge 53-yard pass attempt downfield for Mecole Hardman to catch, but on the very next play, Chiefs running back IsiahPacheco fumbled and San Francisco pounced on the ball.

The CBS broadcast had barely cut away from a replay of Taylor Swift’s delighted face reacting to the game’s first big-yardage play when the next one began and Pacheco was stripped of the ball by a swarming 49ers defense.

Cameras caught Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce screaming on the sidelines in frustration, remonstrating to head coach Andy Reid as emotions ran high. Pacheco was said by CBS to be apologizing to players up and down the Kansas City bench as the high-powered Chiefs offense once again failed to put any points on the board.

Jake Moody of the San Francisco 49ers kicks a field goal.

It wasn’t the most memorable first quarter of a Super Bowl but in the second quarter, we finally have some points.

The 49ers’ kicker Jake Moody boomed a 55-yard field goal through the uprights to give San Francisco a 3-0 lead.

The rookie kicker’s field goal is the longest in Super Bowl history.

Some of the best seats at Allegiant Stadium tonight are inside the exclusive Wynn Field Club.

The front row seating areas were going for $650,000 — split between 15 people, while second row of seating was going for $550,000 and can be shared with 12 total people.

It’s a Las Vegas night club vibe alongside the 49ers-painted end zone.

Group ticket packages for non-Super Bowl events usually range anywhere from $5,000 to $60,000.

According toWynnsocial.com,the packages offered include:

The first 15 minutes of action at Super Bowl LVIII are in the books and it hasn’t been a shootout so far.

No points have been scored by either team as both defenses have dominated proceedings.

San Francisco has had some success moving the ball, in particular with Christian McCaffrey, but the running back’s fumble on the opening drive of the game was the only major action so far.

The quarter ended with McCaffrey being dragged to the turf behind the line for a loss of yards.

Patrick Mahomes looks to pass in the first quarter of the Super Bowl.

Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey, Travis Kelce, Brock Purdy: Just a few of the offensive superpowers on the field for Super Bowl LVIII.

But the stars of the show have been the two team’s defenses and punters.

While both offenses struggle to get into a rhythm against some energetic defense and no points scored yet, Kansas City’s Tommy Townsend and San Francisco’s Mitch Wishnowsky have been able to launch some booming punts, which will surely please fans of Big Ten schools.

Former San Francisco 49ers player Joe Montana poses for photos with his wife Jennifer Wallace before the Super Bowl.

San Francisco 49ers legend Joe Montana made a quick appearance on the field to hype up fans.

The Hall of Fame quarterback and three-time Super Bowl MVP known as “Joe Cool” was shown on the CBS broadcast waving to the crowd.

Notably, Montana also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, though he pulled off most of his heroic exploits in San Francisco.

Reba McEntire performs the national anthem at the Super Bowl.

One of the most popular prop bets around the Super Bowl is the over/under on the length of the “Star-Spangled Banner” – and this year’s line was set at 90.5 seconds by some sportsbooks.

Country music legend Reba McEntire performed this year’s anthem in a truly lovely 95 seconds.

The Kansas City Chiefs react after a fumble by the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter.

The San Francisco 49ers looked like they were cruising on the game’s opening drive, but that has come to a screeching halt.

Star running back Christian McCaffrey, who had looked explosive on some runs, coughed up the ball and a Kansas City Chiefs defender was first to jump on it, forcing a first-quarter turnover.

George Karlaftis was the defender to fall on the ball, and it brings Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense onto the field.

Health and beauty companies, some for the first time, are joining the scrum of beverage, technology and auto brands that have long been a staple of Super Bowl ads, while other companies are highlighting smart and funny women with their prized airtime.

The trend is due, at least in part, to Taylor Swift’s much-publicized relationship with Kansas City Chiefsstar Travis Kelce, which offers a chance of increased female viewership for tonight’s game in Las Vegas. She’s already been credited for a ratings bumpfor football since their relationship went public last October.

“Taylor Swift’s attendance at the Super Bowl will likely have a significant impact not only on the size of the audience but also its demographic make-up,” according to Paul Hardart, a clinical professor of marketing for New York University’s Stern School of Business.

“Swift boasts a massive, devoted fan base, and her relationship with Kelce adds an intriguing and romantic element to the event, making it even more appealing for brands to associate themselves with her presence,” he previously told CNN.

Look out for these spots: Cardi B will plug Duck Plump lip gloss for L’Oreal NYX Professional Makeup, the first time the brand has advertised on the Super Bowl. The company says the spot “highlights powerful women” and will be “hilarious.”

Meanwhile, e.l.f. cosmetics, also a first-time Super Bowl advertiser, reunited (some of) the cast of “Suits” in its spot as the lawyers haul various celebrities into court.

Actress Scarlett Johansson endorses M&Ms as a comfort for her losing the Oscars race (twice). Jennifer Aniston carries an Uber Eats bag on a Hollywood set while jokingly forgetting former “Friends” co-star David Schwimmer. And comedian Kate McKinnon chats thoughtfully about food waste in Hellman’s adorable commercial featuring “Mayo Cat.”

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy drops back to pass the ball during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on November 19.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is currently leading the first drive of the game.

Purdy waited for the better part of three days to hear his name called dead last in the 2022 NFL Draft. It earned him the less-than-flattering designation of “Mr. Irrelevant” — the nickname playfully assigned to the last player taken in each year’s draft.

The names on that list are often forgotten, but now Purdy belongs to a new one that will redefine his legacy: Joe Montana, Steve Young, Colin Kaepernick, Jimmy Garoppolo and Brock Purdy — the quarterbacks who have led the 49ers to the Super Bowl.

Coached and molded by a top-flight offensive mind in coach Kyle Shanahan, the 24-year-old Purdy is walking a journey the likes of which has never been seen before. His final step to football immortality comes in Las Vegas at Super Bowl LVIII

Facing one of the most talented quarterbacks of all time, Purdy’s list of achievements pales in comparison to that of his Kansas City Chiefs counterpart, Patrick Mahomes. But to underestimate him wouldn’t be wise.

After all, Purdy has made a habit of upsetting the odds. No one expected him to be named starter for the storied franchise, and yet here he is, after a brilliant regular season in which he threw for 31 touchdowns and over 4,000 yards, leading a 49ers offense on the biggest stage of them all.

It’s game time in Las Vegas.

Harrison Butker kicks off to the 49ers and Super Bowl LVIII is underway.

Who will lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the end of proceedings? Will it be the Kansas City Chiefs or the San Francisco 49ers?

We’re about to find out.

San Francisco will get the ball first in Super Bowl LVIII.

The Kansas City Chiefs won the coin toss and chose to defer.

Official Bill Vinovich, in his third Super Bowl, flipped the coin as the visiting team, the 49ers chose heads.

The Chiefs will kick off and instead receive the second half kickoff.

Reba McEntire sings the National Anthem ahead of the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Post Malone put his own acoustic take on “America the Beautiful” during the Super Bowl pregame show.

Country singer Reba McEntire sang the national anthem as the camera panned to US troops.

The performances featured American Sign Language interpreters. Daniel Durant (“Coda”), signed the national anthem in ASL and dancer Anjel Piñero signed “America the Beautiful.”

CNN’s Marianne Garvey contributed to this post.

Post Malone performs "America The Beautiful" before the Super Bowl.

San Francisco 49ers fans arrive at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday.

A roaring 49ers contingent filled the stadium as San Francisco ran onto the field from what appears to be a majority-Niners crowd.Conversely, a crescendo of boos met the Kansas City Chiefs when they trotted out.

It’shard to tell visually because both fan bases are mostly wearing red. But based on cheers so far, it seems it’s70-30 in favor of 49ers fans.

Jay-Z is seen with his children on the field before the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Taylor Swift is in the building, but she’s not the only huge star at the game: The CBS broadcast panned around the stadium to show NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, rap icon Jay-Z, country star Luke Combs and other famous fans taking in the pregame scenes.

Post Malone, Reba McEntire and Andra Day are on the field for the Super Bowl pregame show performances.

Prior to the game, McEntire, a Country Music Hall of Famer, will sing the national anthem, Malone will sing “America the Beautiful,” and Day will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which is often referred to as “The Black National Anthem.”

In its run-up coverage, CBS showed legendary coach Mike Shanahan sitting in a suite.

Remember that a remarkable, historic feat can be pulled off tonight: San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and his dad Mike can become the first father-son duo in NFL, NBA, NHL or MLB to each win a championship as head coach.

Shannahan has a tough task ahead of him, though — he has never beaten Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid. He is 0-3 against Reid.

The 49ers star running back, Christian McCaffrey, who won Offensive Player of the Year this week, and his father, Ed, can become just the second father-son duo to win the Super Bowl with the same franchise.

Ed McCaffrey and Mike Shanahan won three Super Bowls together (XXIX, XXXII and XXXIII). Now, their sons Christian and Kyle have a chance to win one together.

Football’s youngest fans will be able to watch Super Bowl LVIII announced by SpongeBob SquarePants and the rest of the gang fromBikini Bottom.

Nickelodeon and CBS Sports announced the first-ever alternate telecast for the Super Bowl, which will air on the kid’s television channel tonight when the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers kick off in Las Vegas. Paramount Global is the parent company of both CBS Sports and Nickelodeon.

The telecast combines animation and graphics with a traditional game-day telecast.

Characters from the cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants will join the telecast live. For example, an animated Sandy Cheeks (voiced by Carolyn Lawrence) is shown on the sidelines of a real-life football field in promotional photos.

SpongeBob SquarePants (voiced by Tom Kenny) and Patrick Star (voiced by Bill fa*gerbakke) will call the game with human CBS Sportsanalyst Nate Burleson andplay-by-play announcer Noah Eagle. Meanwhile, Larry the Lobster (voiced by Mr. Lawrence) will provide live commentary.

Nickelodeon has been airing “NFL Slimetime” since 2021, a weekly show hosted by Burleson, a former football player who is also a co-host of “CBS Mornings,” and child actor Dylan Gilmore. The duo will be reporting live from Allegiant Stadium.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce scores a touchdown during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 20.

Long before Travis Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift introduced him to a whole new audience, the Kansas City Chiefs stalwart was considered one of the best tight ends ever to grace the NFL. He could be a key factor in tonight’s Super Bowl.

Arguably the league’s best TE over the last six seasons, he has developed an almost telepathic relationship with his quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. The duo is often seen connecting on broken-down plays, leaving defenses scrambling to keep up.

Their ability to connect regularly has been a big contributor to the Chiefs’ explosive offense under head coach Andy Reid, with Kelce racking up seven consecutive seasons with 1,000 or more yardsbetween 2016 and 2022.

Although 2023 was somewhat of a down year for the 34-year-old – he finished 16 yards shy of the 1,000-yard mark and with five touchdowns – he could still yet play a key role against the 49ers.

Kelce’s ability to find spaces allows Mahomes to thread the needle and is a nightmare for opposition defenses and, most likely, 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.

Taylor Swift arrives at the Chiefs game in Kansas City on January 13.

Taylor Swift turned heads earlier this season when she sported custom-made pieces courtesy of sportswear designer Kristin Juszczyk.

The 29-year-old designer — who will also be in the crowd tonight rooting on her husband, San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk— has just landed a licensing agreement with NFL, a spokesperson confirmed to CNN, allowing her to officially use NFL logos in men’s and women’s apparel.

Juszczyk, who describes herself as a “completely self-taught” designer, has built a following on social media re-working traditional sports jerseys, T-shirts and other merchandise (blankets, pillows and even footballs themselves) into trendy tailored pieces, from knee-length coats to corsets and miniskirts.Her designs emphasize sportswear iconography like logos and jersey numbers, taking a fashion-forward approach to football fandom.

On her Instagram feed, Juszczyk frequently shares videos contrastingthe before and afterappearance of her pieces, as well as her design process.

The deal was first reported bySportico; CNN has reached out to Juszczyk for further comment.

Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake perform at halftime of the Super Bowl in 2004.

On February 1, 2004, the now-infamous“Nipplegate” incidentoccurred at the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show as Janet Jackson performed with Justin Timberlake, crescendoing to a costume malfunction/reveal that begot the aforementioned name.

Since then, Timberlake has bore thebrunt of angerfrom many who blame him for not supporting Jackson in the aftermath, which included herreportedly being cut from the Grammys that yearalong with other professional opportunities.

Here’s a refresher as to what happened: The pair were performing Timberlake’s hit “Rock Your Body,” and at the lyric “Bet I’ll have you naked by the end of this song,” he was to rip Jackson’s top to reveal a red bustier beneath.

Instead, the estimated 100 million+ viewers tuned in along with the Super Bowl attendees saw a flash of Jackson’s bare breast with what appeared to be a nipple piercing. She quickly moved to cover herself, but the damage was already done.

The fallout was instant, and stunning: Hundreds of thousands of complaints flooded into the Federal Communications Commission, CBS (which aired the Super Bowl) wasfinedand Jackson’s career suffered.

The pair of pop stars were accused of staging the whole thing for publicity – something both Jackson and Timberlake have denied – and Jackson was initially mocked by everyone from comedians to some fans.

While both artists apologized for the incident, Timberlake was viewed as having abandoned Jackson after the mishap, after building his career largely by appropriating Black culture when it suited him with his R&B sound.

For years#JanetJacksonAppreciationDaytrended every Super Bowl Sunday, driven by her supporters who were seeking “Justice for Janet.”

For her part, Jackson has said the incident “was blown way out of proportion,” saying in 2022 that the two are good friends, that it was an accident and that they have both moved in.

Taylor Swift has arrived at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs and beau Travis Kelce in tonight’s Super Bowl.

The NFL and CBS, which is airing tonight’s game, shared video of the music mega-star arriving and chatting with rapper Ice Spice and actor Blake Lively. Swift’s parents, Scott and Andrea, were also present.

Swift fans were concerned if the multi-Grammy award winning artist would make it to the big game given her tight touring schedule.

Swift played the Tokyo Dome in the Japanese capital from February 7 to 10, leaving her little time — given the long-haul flight and large time difference — to get back for the Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium.

The Japanese Embassy put out a statement last week to ease the concerns of fans.

CNN’s Chris Lau contributed to this report.

Whistle, Poodle mix

Team Ruff is the winner of this year’s Puppy Bowl — the biggest yet.

The event featured 131 puppies from 73 shelters and rescues across 36 states and territories in a televised “competition” on Animal Planet, which, like CNN, is a unit of Warner Bros. Discovery.

The MVP (Most Valuable Pup) award this year went to Moosh, who “did the impossible and helped win his team the game,” Animal Planet posted to X.

Photographer John Nowak spent three days in upstate New York and came away with these portraits.

See more photos here.

Cronut, Shar Pei

Patrick Mabones, Hound mix

Peanut Pretzel, Pug

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey runs with the ball during a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on October 1.

The San Francisco 49ers have a plethora of offensive options against the Kansas City Chiefs tonight: From wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk to tight end George Kittle, quarterback Brock Purdy is spoiled for choice when it comes to who he should give the ball to.

But perhaps their most important player is jack-of-all-trades running back Christian McCaffrey.

Since being traded to the Niners from the Carolina Panthers in 2022, McCaffrey has developed into the driving force of head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, both with his explosive running ability, elusiveness with the ball in his hands and precision as a receiver.

McCaffrey enjoyed an excellent personal season and was rightly rewarded for it. On Thursday, he was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year, marking the first time he’s won the award.

McCaffrey looks for space to run the ball during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on September 10.

In what was his first full season since joining the 49ers from the Panthers, McCaffrey led the NFL in rushing yards (1,459), yards from scrimmage (2,023) and touchdowns (21). And that’s even more remarkable given he sat out the team’s final game of the regular season.

From the final few games of the 2022 season until Week 10 of this campaign, McCaffrey scored at least one touchdown in 17 straight games, matching the all-time record set by Lenny Moore.

He was the bellwether for the offense, touching the ball 17 times or more in every game except for a loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 6.

Allegiant Stadium is seen on January 30.

Tonight’s game will be played in Las Vegas at the Raiders’ state-of-the-art Allegiant Stadium, aka the “Death Star.”

Opened in 2020, the venue was a key component of Raiders owner Mark Davis’ mission to relocate the organization – which had been historically located in Oakland, California – to the Silver State.

The Raiders’ new 65,000-capacity stadium was built next to the Las Vegas Strip to accommodate the team. It was built with a domed roof and, according toSports Illustrated, cost $1.9 billion to construct.

The stadium is said to bring inaround $620 million annuallyto the local area, while also creating 6,000 permanent jobs in Southern Nevada.

The turf field can be moved depending on the event being hosted in the stadium — beyond Raiders home games, that includes everything from concerts to college football bowl games. The sliding field tray weighs 19 million pounds — which is a similar weight to the Eiffel Tower,per the official website— and is moved by 72 individual motors.

Roughly 105,000 cubic yards of concrete – akin to 257 miles of sidewalk from Las Vegas to Los Angeles – were used in construction and 425 trees were planted around the stadium. A total of 28,000 tons of structural steel were used, too — which is heavier than the Statue of Liberty.

The stadium includes 75,000 square feet of video boards to keep fans up to date with what’s happening on the field — fans don’t need to worry about craning their necks for a replay.

The Las Vegas Strip shines brightly after dark in February 2023.

The Kansas City Chiefs will play the San Francisco 49ers on February 11 in what is perceived as the gambling capital of the US, but despite the myriad of opportunities for players to partake in betting, the NFL stressed on Tuesday that they would face the “normal course of discipline” if they were found to have done so.

“The rules are no different for the participating teams’ players and other personnel as they would be for any other game: when on business, there is no gambling, whether it be sports gambling or otherwise,” Jeff Miller – the NFL executive vice president of communications, public affairs and policy – told reporters on a conference call.

“And any player, coach, personnel, yours truly, who would be caught or identified gambling at a casino would be eligible for the disciplinary process, and that would be addressed in the normal course of discipline as we would any player or other personnel who there was evidence that was violating the rules around gambling.”

Some context: The last 12 months have seen a recent spate of gambling policy violations by NFL players; indeed, on Tuesday’s call, Miller said New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is under investigation for gambling-related issues.

Players across the league received suspensions of varying degrees in the past year, with the NFLreleasing a memo in Junestressing the six “key rules” of its gambling policy.

The San Francisco 49ers’ star running back Christian McCaffrey, who is likely to feature prominently in tonight’s game, was one of three players whose jersey was a bestseller for 20 weeks of the NFL season.

As of the conference finals, his jersey was in the highest demand in the league.

McCaffrey isn’t just beloved by San Francisco fans — he’s also a darling of fantasy football. The veteran RB is considered a true difference-maker and, for many players, the number one overall pick. No doubt he led a few proud jersey owners to their fantasy championship.

As for other top jersey sales: Glancing at these charts helps tell the story of the season, with fans deciding to spring for a jersey as their confidence grew in ascendant young quarterbacks like the Houston Texans’ C.J. Stroud and Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love.

Seeing Joe Flacco on this list in 2024 would also likely come as a shock to NFL fans before the season, but his resurgent run with the Cleveland Browns clearly inspired a mini-sales boon.

And the Kelce brothers — Travis, of the Chiefs, and Jason, of the Eagles — have always been stars, but its hard not to credit spikes in their jersey sales at least in part to Travis’ Taylor Swift romance and the boost it provided to their podcast and other media appearances.

While there are other fun narratives to explore, the names at the very top of the list are fairly straightforward — premiere talents at a variety of positions, especially quarterbacks and those playing for huge fanbases:

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes calls a play during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 20.

He may just be 28 years of age, but legacy is already on the line for Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Already considered by some to be among the greatest NFL players of all time, he can convince some doubters from that debate with a victory in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday.

It would be Mahomes’ third title of an already illustrious career, drawing parallels to another all-time great quarterback — Tom Brady.

Mahomes is known for his unique skillset: his baseball background and ability to throw the ball from varied arm angles, the combination of pinpoint accuracy and throwing power, his knack for improvising and staying on his feet when a play breaks down.

Mahomes eludes Buffalo Bills linebacker Leonard Floyd during an AFC Divisional Playoff game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on January 21.

The Chiefs offense leaned on him perhaps more than ever in 2023, as it slogged through an at-times frustrating season. Mahomes turned it on in the playoffs, playing almost flawlessly in Kansas City’s three playoff victories to get to the Super Bowl.

Having lifted the Lombardi Trophy just last year, Mahomes has the opportunity to do what very few players have ever done and win back-to-back titles.

Another Super Bowl title in Las Vegas would move him a step closer to Brady’s remarkable seven rings and the tag of “greatest of all time.”

Usher performs in Philadelphia in June.

Ask any kid that grew up in the 2000s to recall a song they heard on repeat during their childhood, and there’s a good chance they’ll mention Usher.

Over the past three decades, his music has proven a constant in the US Billboard Hot 100. His R&B tunes, pop remixes and collaborations with other artists have kept him front and center in audience’s minds.

But the performer didn’t enjoy immediate success. His debut album — “Usher,” released in 1994 — barely caught the media’s attention.

In 1997, the tables started to turn. His second album, “My Way,” featuring “You Make Me Wanna,” reached Number 2 on the charts and stayed there for 47 weeks. The artist honed his art with his 2001 album, “8701,” featuring “U Got It Bad”, which spent six weeks in the top spot on the US Billboard charts. He also won his first Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal performance for the song “U Remind Me” on the same album.

Usher’s 2004 Confessions album was his chef-d’oeuvre, taking home dozens of awards, and marking the release of what – to this day – remains his most popular song: “Yeah!” a collaboration with Lil Jon & Ludacris.

As R&B started to evolve, and audiences began moving away from the genre in favor of other music styles, like hip-hop and electropop, Usher adapted – collaborating with Nicki Minaj for the song “Lil Freak,” released on the 2010 “Raymond v. Raymond” album.

That project featured another widely played pop tune, “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love Again,” and the single “OMG,” in which Usher collaborated with will.i.am.

The Super Bowl halftime show has become a spectacle almost as big as the game itself.

Millions of people around the world will tune in this year to watchUsher take the stageat Super Bowl LVIII. Other artists who’ve performed in the past include Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Paul McCartney, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, just to name a few.

But the Super Bowl halftime shows haven’t always been star-studded. Before the 1990s, the halftime entertainment usually consisted of marching bands and drill teams that you normally see at college football games.

See more photos from past halftime shows.

Al Hirt plays the trumpet while Ella Fitzgerald sings at the Super Bowl in 1972. The show that year paid tribute to jazz legend Louis Armstrong, who died the year before.

A Mardi Gras-themed float is part of the show in 1981, which took place inside the Louisiana Superdome.

The "King of Pop," Michael Jackson, performed several of his hit songs in 1993. His performance is often credited with launching the tradition of blockbuster halftime shows.

A helicopter picks up Diana Ross after she headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 1996.

Rihanna performs during the Super Bowl halftime show in 2023. She opened the show by hanging high above the field on a platform. She rubbed her abdomen during her closing song, sparking speculation that she might be expecting. After the performance, a Rihanna representative confirmed that she was pregnant.

Taylor Swift performs in Tokyo, Japan, on February 7.

For anyone worried that Taylor Swift might not make it home from her overseas tour in time to see her boyfriend Travis Kelce in the Super Bowl, the Japanese Embassy has a comforting message: “Be fearless.”

The diplomatic mission in Washington put out a statement last week to ease the concerns of fans.

Swift played the Tokyo Dome in the Japanese capital from February 7 to 10, leaving her little time – given the long-haul flight and large time difference – to get back for the Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Making it even more of a stretch, Swift’s final show began at 6 p.m. and ran for about three hours, in line with her other Eras Tour dates. And that’s not to mention all the traffic she likely encountered around the stadium.

But not to worry, according to the embassy:

“We wanted to confirm that anyone concerned can be Fearless in knowing that this talented performer can wow Japanese audiences and still make it to Las Vegas to support the Chiefs,” the statement added.

As for how she’ll feel when she gets there? CNN Travel took a look at what the pop star — and yes, average traveler — experiences with jet lag.

San Francisco 49ers, from left, Brent Jones, William Floyd, Steve Young and Merton Hanks, celebrate after defeating the San Diego Chargers to win Super Bowl XXIX at Miami's Joe Robbie Stadium in 1995.

San Francisco 49ers fans of a certain generation know what it’s like to sit atop the mountain.

If supporters were around between 1981 and 1995, they would have seen the team win five Super Bowl titles during a period of success only recently surpassed by the Brady-Belichick New England Patriots.

Not only was it the wins, but it was the players they saw along the way: from Joe Montana and Jerry Rice to Steve Young and Deion Sanders, it was a charmed period for the 49ers.

However, despite it looking like the sun might never set on that era for the Bay Area team, all good things must come to an end. Ever since victory at Super Bowl XXIX in 1995, the 49ers have failed add to their trophy cabinet.

The organization has racked up regular season and playoff wins, except in the game that matters most: the Super Bowl.

This trip to Super Bowl LVIII is the franchise’s third since winning its last championship ring, losing the two previous title games.

Under Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers narrowly lost to the Baltimore Ravens in 2013 and the team blew a 10-point lead in a defeat to the Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs in 2020 — the very same he’ll face tonight.

Victory in Las Vegas would break that hex and return one of the NFL’s storied franchises to the top.

For many, the Super Bowl is a three-hour showcase of ads with a football game shown occasionally during the breaks.

Expect big brands to dominate this year’s sporting spectacle and strike a humorous tone to attract attention.

Viewers will see a “notable shift away” from technology, like AI andparticularly cryptocurrency, to more “traditional products that are part of consumers’ daily lives” being advertised, according to Paul Hardart, a clinical professor of marketing for New York University’s Stern School of Business.

Prices for a 30-second ad cost areported $7 million,and CBS has said it’ssold out.

With such a hefty price tag, established brands with deep pockets will take the field rather than smaller companies (rememberFTXorCoinbase?) that previously used the game to “either generate awareness or establish some form of legitimacy by having a Super Bowl ad,” Hardart said.

Largely traditional advertisers have unveiled their plans, including Budweiser’s beers (includingBud Light), State Farm insurance, Oreo cookies, BMW, DoorDash andeven Hellman’s mayonnaise.

And despite the huge price tag of an ad, it’s still a worthwhile investment.

Read more about this year’s ads here.

A Kansas City Chiefs fan holds up a Taylor Swift sign during the game against the Buffalo Bills in December 10 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

Some“dads, Brads and Chads” have taken issue with the attention paid to pop star Taylor Swift when she attends NFL games to see her boyfriend Travis Kelce in action, but leaning into Taylor mania is a no-lose game for broadcasters.

Swift has regularly attended Kansas City Chiefs football games to support Kelce, the team’s superstar tight end, and broadcasters have taken every opportunity to show Swift in the stands.

Swift has attended 12 games since September 2023, and with each appearance in the crowd, increasingly drawn what seems like as many cheers and jeers as the men on the field.

The frenzy is perhaps to be expected when the world’s biggest pop star scores an unexpected role on the highest-rated television show.

And though Swift won’t be getting an Emmy for this guest spot, there is a winner here: football. Swift’s presence at Chiefs games has inarguably activated an audience who wouldn’t normally tune in to a football game. Dive into the numbers here.

And some food for thought: You may want to watch what you say about Swift around your kids tonight — they’re listening, writes Dr. Katie Hurley in an analysis piece for CNN Health. Hurley explored the messages children might be receiving from role models irritated at coverage of the pop star during the game.

The Super Bowl is here, capping off 21 weeks of intense regular and postseason action. Take a look back here and in our gallery of the season’s best photos.

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta tries in vain to pull in a pass reception in Detroit on October 8.

San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell is pulled down by New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden on September 24.

The helmet of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes breaks as he is hit by Miami Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott during theChiefs' 26-7 victory over the Dolphinson January 13.

Jacksonville Jaguars fans wave flags ahead of a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium in London on October 1. It was the first of five international games the NFL has scheduled this season as part of its ever-expanding International Series.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler, second from bottom, is tackled by Detroit's Aidan Hutchinson and Derrick Barnes, top, during the Chargers' 41-38 loss to the Lions on November 12. Detroit linebacker Jack Campbell is on the bottom.

Atlanta Falcons placekicker Younghoe Koo celebrates with teammates after making a game-winning field goal on the final play of the Falcons' 16-13 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 22.

While shoppers are still paying more for their groceries amid stubborn food price inflation, the good news is that the pace of those price increases at the grocery store has moderated over the past year.

As of December, grocery prices were up 1.3%over the previous 12 months, but down from the much steeper 11.8% increase for all of 2022.

For some big ticket game day dishes, it costs less to buy the ingredients than it did a year ago, but several other popular snack items and drinks for viewing day festivities are pricier, according to a new Wells Fargo Super Bowl Food Spending Report on Thursday.

“There are some bargains, like chicken wings and shrimp that will give party hosts some price relief on their spread,” Michael Swanson, chief agricultural economist at Wells Fargo, told CNN in an interview.

But watch out for other meats. “Beef is kind of on its own cycle right now,” Swanson said, adding that industry-specific issues such as record-low cattle numbers are triggering elevated beef prices at the store.

Shrimp prices, however, are a cause for celebration. According to the report, store prices on average are down 6.4% per pound from last January.

Super Bowl LVIII is set to kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET tonight.

The game will be shown live on CBS andParamount+ in the US, with coverage on both beginning at 2 p.m. ET. Watching with kids? You could also check out a special broadcast from Nickelodeon — the pregame show is already underway.

In the United Kingdom, the game is available to watch on Sky Sports and ITV, with pregame coverage starting at 10 p.m. local time.

For viewers elsewhere across the world, NFL Game Pass International on DAZN will show coverage of the game.