by Dugald Skene
The 'Brother Bowl'. The 'Har-Bowl'. However the 47th edition of the NFL season finale is to be coined, the outcome is far more of an unknown.
The 49ers have the perfect 5-0 Super Bowl record. They haven't been there for 18 years, and they will be desperate to complete their self proclaimed 'Quest for Six'.
That said, the Ravens have the momentum, beating bitter AFC rivals the Broncos and the Patriots on the road on their way to New Orleans.
This one will be close, but for me the game will come down to 3 distinct aspects.
1. Joe Flacco vs The 49er Secondary
Ravens quarterback Flacco has thrown 8 touchdowns with no interceptions in this postseason. He only needs one more TD pass to equal four time Super Bowl winner Joe Montana's NFL record of 9-0 in a postseason run.
Flacco has more than his fair share of detractors, all of whom claim he cannot be considered an 'elite' QB. The fact is this overhauled Ravens offense, run by coordinator Jim Caldwell, plays to Flacco's strengths. One of those big weapons is the cannon in his right arm.
Flacco has demonstrated with lethal effectiveness the deep ball, exposing the secondaries of each of their conquered opponents. To pull off the deep pass, he needs the guys to pass to and in wide receivers Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones he has willing runners.
The 49er safeties Trenton Robinson, Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner will have their work cut out to avoid joining the likes of the Broncos' Champ Bailey on the roster of embarrassed defensive secondaries.
2. Ray Rice vs the 49ers Linebackers
In Ray Rice, the Ravens have a wise head on still very strong legs, playing as well as he ever has in his career. With the available combinations for Flacco between the wide receivers, Anquan Boldin through the middle and Rice in the back field, the 49ers defensive line and linebackers will have to be on the ball to stop the running back making significant yards.
The revered San Francisco defence allowed only around 15 points per game up until week 14. From week 15 and through the playoffs, that has shot up to 28.8 yards. Above all, they have struggled to stop the run and OC Jim Caldwell and Ray Rice will see that weakness and look to expose it. Expect a strong running game from both sides, but Sunday night might be very special for Rice.
3. Colin Kaepernick vs the Ravens Defence
Not a lot more can be said about this Ravens defence. The return of talisman, inspiration and all round tackle machine Ray Lewis has transformed the fortunes of the Ravens through the postseason following very indifferent form after week 9.
But it isn't just one man. Terrell Suggs has improved his fitness since his return and is resembling the sort of form that saw him claim the defensive player of the year award in 2011. Other linebackers Paul Kruger and Courteney Upshaw have shone as the season has gone on, as well as Ray Lewis' protoge Dannell Ellerbe. Oh yeah, and if the 49ers get round them, they need to watch out for veteran safety Ed Reed. It is one formidable unit.
But the 49ers have an offense that the Ravens haven't yet come across this season, and it all revolves around sensational young quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Much was made about the replacement of starting QB Alex Smith with Kaepernick, but Jum Harbaugh's decision has been vindicated as his young number 7 has guided his team to the Super Bowl.
Kaepernick has it all, and can adjust to what is in front of him. Against Green Bay, he rushed for an all time NFL record of 181 yards, exposing the Packers deficiencies in defence and inability to stop the run. But against Atlanta in the NFC championship game, he ran very little and used his incredibly accurate arm to dissect the Falcons defence.
I expect he will run more against the Ravens, but not necessarily out of choice but necessity as the Ravens defence will put big pressure on the 49ers offensive line. Combined with RB Frank Gore, San Fran could rack up a lot of rushing yards, looking to stretch the likes of ageing top tackler Ray Lewis to tire him out as the game goes on.
Whatever happens in Super Bowl XLVII, it's sure to be a close fought and brutal fight. Both teams have defences that rank near the very top in the last decade or so, and whichever one gets on top in the game, particularly with turnovers, will likely claim the Lombardi Trophy
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