With the 49ers trailing by 14 points in the third quarter, quarterback Brock Purdy threw a deep pass in Aiyuk's direction. It looked like cornerback Kindle Vildor might secure an interception. Instead, the football bounced off the defender's hands, and Aiyuk made the heads-up play to ensure it landed in his hands for a remarkable and improbable 51-yard catch.
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Three plays later, Aiyuk hauled in another Purdy-thrown pass, this time in the end zone, cutting the 49ers' deficit to seven points.
San Francisco eventually came away with a 34-31 victory but without Aiyuk's clutch reaction to that ricocheting football, who knows what might have happened. That's why the receiver was dismayed on Monday morning while watching SportsCenter's Top Ten, which looked at the most remarkable moments from Championship Sunday.
Aiyuk's catch came in at No. 2.
"Number two? Who the hell they have at one then?" A confused Aiyuk said in a video posted to Instagram showing the receiver's live reaction to the countdown.
The top play ended up being Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson catching his own deflected pass in an AFC Championship Game loss to the Chiefs. What did Aiyuk think of the top pick?
"Man, get the f--" is all he says before the video ends.
There is no doubt that Jackson's pass and reception on the same play are impressive. However, Aiyuk's catch was equally remarkable and shifted momentum in the 49ers' favor, helping the team overcome a one-time 17-point deficit.
The Ravens will watch from home as the 49ers face the Chiefs in Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas.
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