Michael Crabtree (AP)
After two weeks of hype, talk and prognosticating, Super Bowl XLVII has arrived.
The focus shifts from the Harbaugh brothers, deer-antler spray and player safety to the game. For about four hours tonight, it won’t matter who is on the sidelines, what Ray Lewis may or may not have taken or what the future of the NFL is. It will all be about the two teams here fighting it out.
Both teams are built on strong defenses with strong running games and red-hot quarterbacks. There will be 15 Pro Bowlers on the Superdome field and a few future Hall of Famers. The last decade has given us some of the best Super Bowls ever. Will this join them?
That is just one of many intriguing questions: Will either defense buckle? Will Colin Kaepernick run wild on the Ravens? Will Lewis end his career in style? Can Joe Flacco go deep on the 49ers? Who will make the big play everyone is talking about tomorrow?
The answers come tonight. Here is a look inside the matchups of Super Bowl XLVII:
QUARTERBACKS AND WIDE RECEIVERS
vs. DEFENSIVE BACKS
When the 49ers have the ball: QB Colin Kaepernick has been a monster in the playoffs with a read-option attack no one has been able to stop. WR Michael Crabtree could be a key player. He has 15 catches for 176 yards and two TDs in the playoffs. And, of course, there is Randy Moss (the greatest receiver ever in his own mind). Ravens safeties Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard will deliver some huge hits. Unlike most quarterbacks, though, Kaepernick will cause as many problems for the Ravens with his feet as he does with his arm. TE Vernon Davis is also a big target. Ravens CBs Corey Graham and Cary Williams will be tested.
EDGE: 49ers
When the Ravens have the ball: QB Joe Flacco is earning himself a big contract with the way he has played lately, and he could cap it off with a big Super Bowl. Flacco has thrown eight TDs and no INTs in the playoffs. His pass against the Broncos will go down in NFL lore. He has strong targets in WRs Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith. The question will be: Can the Ravens get over the top of the 49ers defense? San Francisco has arguably the best safety tandem in football in Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner. They could neutralize Baltimore’s deep attack. TE Dennis Pitta is Flacco’s security blanket, but it will be difficult to find open spaces in the 49ers defense.
EDGE: 49ers
RUNNING BACKS vs. LINEBACKERS
When the 49ers have the ball: You may have heard that this is LB Ray Lewis’ last game. The outspoken, controversial will make it all about him before and after the game with his dancing and talking, but can he have a huge impact during the game coming off his triceps injury? RB Frank Gore has been the perfect complement to Kaepernick in the read-option game. If the Ravens try to take the outside runs away from Kaepernick, he will give it to Gore up the middle. Ravens outside linebackers are more pass rushers than run stoppers. It will be interesting to see what they scheme up in an effort to slow down the 49ers run game, starting with taking away the edges from Kaepernick.
EDGE: 49ers
When the Ravens have the ball: Hey diddle, diddle it’s Ray Rice up the middle. Rice made his third Pro Bowl this year, and it’s no secret the Ravens like to feed him the football. He has rushed for 247 yards on 64 carries in the playoffs. Backup RB Bernard Pierce is averaging 6.3 yards per carry in the postseason, giving the Ravens a nice 1-2 punch. San Francisco is stacked up the middle on defense. Inside linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis both made the Pro Bowl. Willis is a beast who can plug up anyone’s running attack. The 49ers were fourth in the NFL in rushing defense this year. Baltimore will need to be creative to find some running room.
EDGE: 49ers
OFFENSIVE LINE vs. DEFENSIVE LINE
When 49ers have the ball: A strong argument can be made that the Niners have the best O-line in the NFL, and they have been healthy, as all five started every game. This big, physical unit is led by two Pro Bowlers, massive LG Mike Iupati and LT Joe Staley, forming a left side that’s hard to beat. Center Jonathan Goodwin won a Super Bowl with the Saints. The key player for the Ravens is hard-to-move Haloti Ngata, who only occasionally has been the dominant force he once was but remains a load to displace. He is a beast against the run and his power inside rush produced five sacks. Arthur Jones (4 ½ sacks) also can apply pressure, but this is a huge offensive front to move, and the Ravens can be hurt right up the middle.
Edge: 49ers.
When Ravens have the ball: The Niners’ three-man line is not a pass-rush unit, but outside linebacker Aldon Smith must be taken into account. He is a devastating rusher who had more than half (19 ½) of the team’s 38 sacks. He must be double-teamed. The Ravens have put together a line with two longtime Vikings (C Matt Birk and 360-pound LT Bryant McKinnie). McKinnie will have his hands full with hard-charging Justin Smith, playing despite a partially torn triceps. Stud of the Baltimore line is RG Marshal Yanda, a two-time Pro Bowler who did not allow a sack this season. Ravens, though, allowed 35 sacks on Flacco and RT Michael Oher, no longer on the Blind Side, is vulnerable in pass protection.
Edge: 49ers.
KICKING GAME
David Akers in his 15th season missed 13 of his 42 field goal attempts and clanged a 38-yarder off the left upright vs. the Falcons in the NFC title game. The 38-year old is hanging on by a thread as he slumps toward what might be the final game of his career.
The 49ers nearly replaced him with former Raven Billy Cundiff, and it remains to be seen if the Niners have any confidence in him in a big spot.
The Ravens counter with Justin Tucker, a 23-year old rookie phenom who hit 30 of his 33 field goal tries and went 4-for-4 from 50-plus yards. He nailed the 47-yard game-winner in double-overtime in Denver. The punters are both excellent. Sam Koch has been with the Ravens for seven years and he’s a heck of an athlete. Andy Lee of the 49ers is one of the best in the league and gets some serious hang time.
Edge: Ravens.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Ravens allowed a kickoff return and a punt return for a touchdown in the divisional round against the Broncos. That has to have the 49ers return units encouraged. LaMichael James has become the 49ers’ primary kickoff returner with Ted Ginn Jr. handling the punt return duties. For the Ravens, Jacoby Jones was a Pro Bowler returning kicks, averaging 30.7 yards per return and bringing two back for scores during the season. The Super Bowl could swing on a special teams play, and remember, Ravens coach John Harbaugh is an old special teams coach, so he may have something special cooked up.
EDGE: Ravens
COACHING
Pick your Harbaugh. It’s a truly remarkable tale of brotherly love and family success, as two sons of a coach square off to make Super Bowl history. John is more polished around the edges, certainly more experienced and well-versed in the entire operation, having spent 10 years as an assistant defensive coordinator with the Eagles. His bold move was firing offensive coordinator Cam Cameron late in a winning season. Jim Harbaugh spent 14 years playing quarterback in the NFL and took a much faster coaching track to get here. His sideline antics and facial expressions are not to be missed. His bold move was replacing safe, successful QB Alex Smith with the dynamic Kaepernick.
Edge: Jackie and Jack Harbaugh, the proud parents.
Staff picks
COSTELLO’S CALL
On paper, this game looks evenly matched. But the 49ers are the team that is for real. Colin Kaepernick’s read-option play might get figured out by defenses next year, but not today. He runs wild on the Ravens and becomes a megastar.
49ers 42, Ravens 17
PAUL’S PICK
Defenses got these teams here but the 49ers are the younger and more dominant unit, plus they have the most complete roster in the league. Kaepernick is the real deal and the option he runs is a terror.
49ers 24, Ravens 19
STEVE SERBY
Kaepernick won’t let Joe Montana and Steve Young down. Or Little Brother Jim Harbaugh.
49ers 27, Ravens 20
MARK CANNIZZARO
Joe Flacco finally becomes elite.
Ravens 31, 49ers 30
MIKE VACCARO
The Ravens have looked like the charmed team ever since Denver. And you may not want to see it, but Ray Lewis seems destined to feel some confetti, as he puts it.
Ravens 24, 49ers 14
DREW LOFTIS
49ers have better offense, better defense, but rolling Ravens keep it close. Old Unreliable, David Akers, with the winning kick.
49ers 31, Ravens 28
JUSTIN TERRANOVA
Baltimore wins shootout with too many big plays from Flacco, Torrey Smith & Co.
Ravens 31, 49ers 30
MS. CHARLEEN
Simply put, Niners offensive line is stronger and faster. Kaepernick is super hot and will own this game.
49ers 37, Ravens 21
BART HUBBUCH
Kaepernick and the read-option will be too much for Baltimore.
49ers 33, Ravens 27
RICO
Offensive lines will dominate. No field goals.
49ers 35, Ravens 28
DAVE BLEZOW
Down by two late, trying to get into field-goal range, Kaepernick breaks a long run for the ring.
49ers, 28 RAVENS 23
HONDO
The deer antler extract spray allegedly used by Ray Lewis has made the Ravens Super horny for victory. Thus, for Kaepernick and Co., tatt’s all, folks!
Ravens 31, 49ers 21