49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk’s Miraculous Off-the-Helmet Catch Left NFL Fans Dumbfounded

The San Francisco 49ers were in need of a spark, and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk delivered it.

After opening the game with a two-touchdown deficit, the 49ers were fighting to stay competitive with the Detroit Lions in the NFC championship on Sunday night.

The San Francisco defense came up with a huge stop on fourth down, and just a few plays later, Aiyuk came through with the play of the game.

Quarterback Brock Purdy dropped back and sailed a deep ball down the center of the field. Aiyuk was smothered by Lions’ cornerback Kindle Vildor, who was tracking the ball well. Vildor had a shot at intercepting the pass, but the ball sailed through his hands and bounced off his helmet back into the air.

Aiyuk never lost track of the ball, and hauled it in for the 49ers’ biggest play of the game.

NFL fans were stunned at the 49ers’ sudden turn of good fortune.

Aiyuk would finish the drive with a touchdown a few plays later.

On the ensuing possession, the Lions fumbled the ball back to San Francisco immediately, setting up another touchdown to tie the game 24–24 late in the third quarter.

We got ourselves a ballgame.