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
Friday 1 February 2013
NFL Franchise In UK Closer Than Ever
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has intimated stronger than ever that the opportunity for the creation of an NFL franchise based in the UK is as possible as it ever has been.
Speaking at his annual pre-Super Bowl press conference in New Orleans on Wednesday, Goodell was reacting to the positive news that both games set to be played at Wembley in 2013 have sold out, more than 9 months in advance.
"I think the message is very clear. We've got passionate fans that love the NFL in the UK," said Goodell.
2013 is the first year that 2 regular season games will be hosted at Wembley, representing home fixtures for the Minnesota Vikings and the Jackson Jaguars, the latter having committed to playing a game at Wembley in each season up to 2016.
The response to having two games could not have been more positive in the UK, with general admission tickets selling out within a week. The message to Goodell seems clear.
"We're always asking what is the next step after two games," he continued. "Do we move to three, do we try something else? How do we continue to celebrate the growth of the game in the UK? But I think from the positive reaction from the fans, that our ownership understands that this is a market in which we need to be more active."
Goodell's comments are the latest from a number of high profile and powerful players in the NFL. Last summer, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft also seemed very positive about opening up America's game beyond it's own borders.
It is generally accepted in the UK that the core fan base may have to expand to justify a sustainable franchise on this side of the pond. The NFL UK currently has over one third of a million registered members, and growing. The magic one million would most likely represent a more realistic number to represent the kind of interest to warrant a UK franchise.
It may be a few years yet before anything like this happens. In the meantime, UK and European fans have to keep expressing a demand to have fixtures over here to keep sending a strong message to that States that the option is a viable one. It seems that that message is starting to get through to those who can make the difference
Speaking at his annual pre-Super Bowl press conference in New Orleans on Wednesday, Goodell was reacting to the positive news that both games set to be played at Wembley in 2013 have sold out, more than 9 months in advance.
"I think the message is very clear. We've got passionate fans that love the NFL in the UK," said Goodell.
2013 is the first year that 2 regular season games will be hosted at Wembley, representing home fixtures for the Minnesota Vikings and the Jackson Jaguars, the latter having committed to playing a game at Wembley in each season up to 2016.
The response to having two games could not have been more positive in the UK, with general admission tickets selling out within a week. The message to Goodell seems clear.
"We're always asking what is the next step after two games," he continued. "Do we move to three, do we try something else? How do we continue to celebrate the growth of the game in the UK? But I think from the positive reaction from the fans, that our ownership understands that this is a market in which we need to be more active."
Goodell's comments are the latest from a number of high profile and powerful players in the NFL. Last summer, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft also seemed very positive about opening up America's game beyond it's own borders.
It is generally accepted in the UK that the core fan base may have to expand to justify a sustainable franchise on this side of the pond. The NFL UK currently has over one third of a million registered members, and growing. The magic one million would most likely represent a more realistic number to represent the kind of interest to warrant a UK franchise.
It may be a few years yet before anything like this happens. In the meantime, UK and European fans have to keep expressing a demand to have fixtures over here to keep sending a strong message to that States that the option is a viable one. It seems that that message is starting to get through to those who can make the difference
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