And here we are; the game we’ve been waiting for all season…Super Bowl XLVII! Kickoff takes place at 6:30pm ET at the Superdome in New Orleans. It is the Baltimore Ravens vs. the San Francisco 49ers. It will be the first time brothers coach against each other; John Harbaugh coaches the Ravens and Jim coaches the 49ers.
The game is bittersweet for Ravens Nation, while excited to see their team in the Super Bowl, it is also the last time they will see 17-year, Pro Bowl linebacker, Ray Lewis in a Ravens’ uniform. Lewis will retire after the game; hopefully he will walk away with a win. He made a miraculous recovery this season after tearing his triceps muscle in week six, he had surgery and returned for the playoffs in January.
A once banged up Ravens’ defense is fully healthy again and ready for tonight’s game. No players missed practice time last week. 14 players are
listed on the injury report, all listed as probable and all expected to play.
Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com says to get ready for a physical game.
“As reflections of the rough-and-tough (and intensely competitive) Harbaugh brothers, the Ravens and 49ers are both teams that don’t budge for much.”
Mink also said that the 49ers have a good defensive line and linebackers. The Ravens’ offensive line was a major factor in their Super Bowl run.
The 49ers are favored to win the game, but the Ravens tend to shine in the underdog role so don’t count them out yet. They showed their resolve by winning back-to-back road games; beating the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots to reach the Super Bowl.
The Ravens know what they need to do to win the game; it is what they’ve been doing all playoff season. Quarterback Joe Flacco needs to continue to shine and throw effective long balls. Running backs Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce need to step up and gain yards.
The defense needs to win the turnover battle and keep the 49ers out of the red zone.
It promises to be a good game, the best of the best fighting for the big prize. I have waited a long time to see my Ravens reach the summit of the mountain; I hope they come down with a trophy in hand.
Go Ravens!
Zennie Abraham