For the first time in my years and years of predicting the Super Bowl players, I finally got the participants correct. The story lines changed along the way, but I really felt like these were the two most complete teams and I still believe that the 49ers are the most talented team in the NFL. Case in point – Alex Smith is probably the best back-up quarterback in the league, their stable of running backs run deep, and they lost Mario Manningham for the season which didn’t affect their winning ways in the least. Their defense has multiple All-pros, and they may just be entering their peak years. Baltimore also played into my thoughts back in August. After losing out to the Patriots last year, I think a lot of their players felt like the window was going to slam shut if they didn’t make it to the Super Bowl this season. They had a nice run; five consecutive playoff appearances including three AFC championship appearances as well. Sending Billy Cundiff on his merry way was probably the right thing to do, and the Ravens probably have more team leaders than any other team in the NFL. Just through inspiration alone, this team can look to Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis, Ray Rice, and John Harbaugh for guidance. Torrey Smith had to do a lot of growing up as well during the season. For the Ravens, it’s like getting dealt a pair of aces, and then seeing two aces appear on the flop. They went all in this season.
So what are my thoughts on the winner and loser for Super Bowl XLVII? I am still struggling to make that decision. I actually feel like the outcome will be decided quite easily. Both of these teams are almost mirror images of one another, and that starts with their coaching. Neither team relinquishes leads. They both love the big play. They both use the run to set up their pass. And they are both nasty on defense. With all that in mind, I believe the team that inherits a double-digit lead first will end up winning the game. Possibly even comfortably. Forcing either team to become one-dimensional (passing) does not bode well for their success, and the opposite defense will have plenty of opportunities to generate turnovers. Taking all of this into consideration, let’s take a closer look at both squads, and then I will make my final selection of the 2012 season.
Baltimore: There are no super stars on this offense, but I believe that works into their favor. Every single player on their offense contributes to the main cause, and they don’t really have a weakness on that side of the ball. They have speed and size at wide receiver, they have running and blocking ability from Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce. While Joe Flacco isn’t the greatest intermediate thrower, he does have a delicious deep ball. The offensive line is more than adequate. Justin Tucker has a career accuracy of plus 90%. They won’t score forty, but in a close game will be really hard to beat.
The defense is a different story. They have great parts, but the individuals are likely better than the whole. During the middle of the year, they were statistically one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Their reputation for always being among the league’s best is all but finished. However, they haven’t suffered any serious injuries since they lost Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis earlier in the year, and both players are in top form. (Must be the deer spray) They are a confident bunch, and just knocked out Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in consecutive weeks from the playoffs. I think Kaepernick is of a different breed, but Baltimore will have no fear of facing him. Their weakness still probably lies in the secondary, but take chances at your own risk. I think that teams get over excited to throw against the Ravens (Peyton in overtime), and Ed Reed can still make magic.
San Francisco: This offense has gone under a reconstruction since the beginning of the season. To get to the Super Bowl, we used to think that Frank Gore would carry the ball 25 times a game, and then Alex Smith would make just enough plays for the defense to get them the victory. Now the offense revolves around Kaepernick and his relationship with his wide receivers. Michael Crabtree may have finally made it into the top echelon of NFL receivers. He is a tough match-up for anyone, and handled Tramon Williams and Asante Samuel without any issues. Vernon Davis has been relatively quiet, but can explode at any time. Randy Moss is the greatest wide receiver in NFL history. (Just ask him). Joking aside, look for the 49ers to try and take what Baltimore gives them, sandwiching a few big throws and read-option runs to keep the defense guessing.
The defense may be the most talented in the league. They have three (3!) all-pro linebackers! Navorro Bowman, Pat Willis and Aldon Smith could all be heading to Canton if they continue to up tick in their individual success. Ahmad Brooks is more than adequate at the strong side linebacker position. They have one of the best defensive lineman in football in Justin Smith who opens up lanes for the four linebackers. Isaac Sopoaga may be one of the most underrated tackles in the NFL, and has made many a big play during the playoffs. I am also a huge fan of their secondary that goes six deep. They can match up with most any team’s personnel and between the Packers and Falcons saw over 20 different offensive packages. For as good as they are though, they are still young, and have been prone to bouts of inconsistency during the year.
Final Prediction: This just seems to be the Ravens year. The 49ers may be the 3rd most offensively talented team that the Ravens have seen during the playoffs, and came in no hotter than either the Broncos or the Patriots. Jim is probably the better motivator, but John has created a team with fantastic personalities and a will to win that I haven’t seen since the Cowboys of the early 90’s and John Elway during his late run. They had an ordinary regular season, but I think that they always knew that if they made the playoffs, they had a chance to win the whole thing. Players got to rest, other players got to develop, and as a result, the Ravens have quite the complete team. Their destiny is the trophy.
Ravens 24
49ers 16
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