Match Up: The Super Bowl is officially set as the Ravens are back in the big game, facing the 49ers. San Francisco is the early 4.5 point favorite in the game but as the Ravens have taught us the last two weeks, it doesn't really matter who the oddsmakers pick to win. The Ravens will meet John Harbaugh's brother, Jim Harbaugh, and the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. There are so many story lines in this game: Joe Flacco finally showing he's elite; Ray Lewis' last game; Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh; and plenty more.
The 49ers make it here on the strength of their defense -- ranked second in the NFL. But, like Baltimore, they also have a potent offense. Colin Kaepernick took over as quarterback mid-season and sparked a San Francisco 49ers squad based on defense by giving them a valuable running game. Now they have won the NFC Championship game. They'll try to win their sixth Super Bowl in six tries.
The Ravens make it to the Super Bowl behind their usual great defense but they also have offensive firepower this time around with Joe Flacco playing very well lately. This is the Baltimore Ravens' second time in the Super Bowl. They won their first, beating the New York Giants at the end of the 2000 season. |