The Harbaugh Bowl is finally here. The San Francisco 49ers, coached by former Michigan quarterback Jim Harbaugh, and the Baltimore Ravens, coached by Jim’s brother John, meet in the 47th edition of the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Follow the action here as Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News provides updates throughout the game.
It appeared to be slipping away from the Ravens.
They once led 28-6 in the second half, and with the lead down to 34-29 inside the final two minutes, the 49ers had 1st and goal from the 7.
But as they have so often during the Ray Lewis era, the Ravens defense stood tall and stopped San Francisco on four straight plays.
After running out the remaining 1:46, allowing a safety in the process, Baltimore is the Super Bowl XLVII champion with a 34-31 victory over the 49ers.
The Ravens added another field goal to their lead, and with 4:19 left in the Super Bowl, they lead 34-29.
The 49ers have had momentum for much of the second half, but their backs are truly against the wall now — it’s touchdown or bust.
San Francisco could potentially have two drives to get the go-ahead touchdown, but they likely need to score on this drive so the Ravens don’t have a chance to run out the clock.
This is why we tune in.
A game once appeared over could now swing on one field goal.
San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick scored on a 15-yard run to cut the 49ers’ deficit to 31-29 with 10 minutes left in regulation.
Unfortunately for the 49ers, their 2-point conversion never had a chance as Kaepernick rushed a throw with Baltimore sending a heavy blitz.
But after trailing 28-6 early in the third quarter, the 49ers must be thrilled to be within one score of the lead.
After letting the 49ers score 17 straight points, the Ravens have pushed their lead back to 8 points.
A 19-yard Justin Tucker field goal put Baltimore up 31-23 with 12:54 left in Super Bowl XLVII.
The Ravens had three plays from inside the 5, but couldn’t punch in a touchdown that would’ve made it a two possession game.
San Francisco has a chance to tie the game on the upcoming possession.
It’s hard to say exactly what effect the power outage had on this game, but since the lights went out at the Superdome, the 49ers have flipped a switch.
And after a flawless first half, the Ravens are suddenly error prone.
San Francisco took over in Baltimore territory after a Ray Rice fumble, but the 49ers appeared to not score off the turnover when David Akers missed a 39-yard field goal.
But a Ravens player ran into Akers, drawing a five-yard penalty, and the kicker drilled it from 34 yards, cutting Baltimore’s lead to 28-23 with time winding down in the third quarter.
The Ravens need to find some inspiration to stop the bleeding.
A 34-minute minute delay opened the door to a momentum shift, and it appears the 49ers took the chance and ran with it.
San Francisco has scored 14 unanswered points, and with 4:59 left in the third quarter, they trail 28-20.
Running back Frank Gore scored on a six-yard run shortly after a 32-yard punt return by Ted Ginn Jr. gave the 49ers great field position.
What looked like a blowout is suddenly a one-score game.
The Ravens are still in total control of this game, but the 49ers have made it a two score game.
San Francisco finally found some offensive rhythm and scored on a 31-yard touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree, cutting the Ravens’ lead to 28-13 halfway through the third quarter.
The score will make this game a bit more interesting, but the 49ers have to be perfect the rest of the way to have a chance.
After a 34-minute delay, the Super Bowl is back underway.
A power outage at the Superdome stopped the game with 13:22 left in the third quarter, creating a second halftime of sorts.
The Ravens led 28-6 and were in full control before the delay. We’ll see if the outage causes any momentum shift in the game.
Since I’m sitting at my house in Royal Oak, I have no idea how long this outage will last.
Here’s what I do know: With 13:28 left in the third quarter, all the lights went out at the Superdome.
CBS went to commercial right as the lights went out, and reporters at the game aren’t giving any updates via Twitter.
I’ll update if I see anything worth mentioning about this strange occurrence.
This may be premature, but many crazy things would have to happen for Ravens receiver Jacoby Jones to not win Super Bowl MVP.
Jones returned the opening kickoff of the second half for a 109-yard touchdown, giving the Ravens an even more comfortable 28-6 lead.
In addition to the kickoff return, Jones had a 56-yard touchdown catch at the end of the first half.
This one appears to be over, folks.
There have been some bad halftime shows in recent years, but that was more like it.
After a one-sided first half, Beyonce’s halftime show was an opportunity to add some excitement on this Super Bowl Sunday, and she did not disappoint.
Complete with a Destiny’s Child reunion and a firework-shooting guitar, Beyonce’s halftime show was electric from start to finish.
Now we can cross our fingers for a more competitive second half.
For anyone who’s not into football, the most exciting part of the Super Bowl is about to begin.
The Ravens lead 21-6 after one half and appear to be in total control with just 30 minutes left to play.
Penalties and turnovers have severely hurt the 49ers, and the Ravens have taken advantage of every mistakes.
But, as this headline suggests, it’s time for the talented Beyonce to temporarily take over the Superdome. Compared to LMFAO and the Black Eyed Peas the past two years, this show should be fantastic.
Enjoy.
What a play.
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco threw a deep pass to wide receiver Jacoby Jones, who somehow got behind the 49ers secondary.
The end result was a 56-yard touchdown, but not after Jones caught the ball falling to the turf, stood up and juked two 49ers defenders inside the 10 to run in for the score.
The Ravens have cruised to a 21-3 lead with less than 2 minutes left in the first half.
What was that?
Why did they do that?
Is he going to get there?
These were the things yelled in my house after the Ravens tried a fake field goal with 3:05 left in the third quarter.
On 4th and 9 at the 14, Ravens kicker Justin Tucker took the snap and ran right, only to be tackled a yard shy of the first down.
An easy field goal would’ve put the Ravens up 17-3. Instead, two touchdowns would give the 49ers a lead.
The 49ers are going one by one down the list of potential errors in a football game.
After early penalties and a fumble, the 49ers can add an interception to their woes.
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick sailed a pass over Randy Moss, and Baltimore safety Ed Reed picked it off.
After the interception, a fight ensued. Somehow, only one player on each team received a penalty despite it looking like several punches were thrown.
The 49ers have made it easy for the Ravens so far.
Baltimore took a 7-0 lead after San Francisco had an untimely penalty, and now the Ravens are up 14-3 after scoring off a 49ers turnover, converting on a one-yard pass to tight end Dennis Pitta.
The Ravens only have had the ball 14 fewer seconds than the 49ers, yet are in complete control of the game with about 7 minutes left in the first half.
The 49ers have found every way to shoot themselves in the foot so far.
First, a San Francisco penalty led to a Ravens touchdown.
Now, trailing 7-3 early in the second quarter, rookie running back LaMichael James lost a fumble.
James fumbled at the San Francisco 25 when the 49ers appeared to be on their way to at least a field goal.
Baltimore leads 7-3 with about 12 minutes left in the second quarter.
We may have already seen the best play of the game, but the Ravens probably wanted to save this miracle for later.
On 3rd and 7 from the Baltimore 36, Joe Flacco appeared to throw it away after being rushed from the pocket, but Anquan Boldin came down with a 30-yard reception.
But three plays later, the Ravens punted, so the play won’t go down in any Super Bowl lore.
Ravens safety Ed Reed suffered a left knee injury, according to CBS, and left the field during the 49ers second drive in the first quarter.
Reed is arguably the Ravens’ most valuable defensive player, and any time he spends off the field will make it more difficult for Baltimore to stop the 49ers.
It was a tough throw, but 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick would surely like to have it back.
After scrambling away from defenders on second and goal, Kaepernick overthrew an open Michael Crabtree in the end zone, missing a chance to tie the Super Bowl at 7-7.
Instead, the pass fell incomplete, and after a sack by Ravens defensive end Paul Kruger on third down, the 49ers had to settle for a David Akers field goal
With 3:58 left in the first quarter, the Ravens lead 7-3.
Penalties are costly.
After holding the 49ers to a three-and-out on the first possession, aided by a first down illegal formation, the Ravens started with great field position at their own 49.
The Ravens drove to the 18, but appeared to be stopped after an incompletion on 3rd and 9. However, an offsides on the 49ers gave them extra life, and Joe Flacco hit Anquan Boldin for a 13-yard touchdown on the next play.
Baltimore is up 7-0 less than five minutes in, and now the 49ers must overcome their early undisciplined plays.
It’s finally here.
After two weeks without NFL football, the Super Bowl is finally upon us.
Today is all about good people, great food, funny commercials, Beyonce killing it at halftime and, if we’re lucky, a competitive football game.
The 49ers and Ravens present an ideal matchup for old-school football fans, with two teams that focus on defense and running the ball.
With a couple weeks to analyze all the possibilities, most people have already made up their mind about which Harbaugh (Jim with the 49ers, John with the Ravens) will lift the Lombardi Trophy.
But in case you haven’t picked a team, here are a couple reasons either team could win.
Why San Francisco will win
Defensive excellence: With Ray Lewis’ impending retirement, 49ers middle linebacker Patrick Willis has been somewhat overlooked leading up to this game, but Willis is the best middle linebacker in the game. In fact, as much has been made of the Ravens’ defensive prowess, San Francisco may have the three best defensive players in this game. Outside linebacker Aldon Smith was second in the NFL with 19.5 sacks this season, and defensive tackle Justin Smith will be disruptive against the run and against the passing game.
Colin Kaepernick’s dynamic skill set: Including the postseason, Kaepernick had 13 touchdowns compared to just four interceptions, so the talk of the young quarterback costing his team the game are overblown. He has the arm to beat teams deep and has the legs to create big gains, as he proved in the NFC Divisional win over the Packers with 181 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Dominant offensive line: San Francisco running back Frank Gore is no longer one of the elite backs, but the 49ers offensive line created enough space for him to eclipse 1,200 rushing yards in the regular season. They have three recent first round picks on the line and can be dominant blocking for the run or pass. With Gore, Kaepernick and LaMichael James running, the 49ers could use their offensive line to control this game.
Why Baltimore will win
Joe Flacco proving he’s elite: Flacco has been absolutely masterful this postseason, posting eight touchdowns and zero interceptions in three games. He’s made some great deep passes and has shown the ability to keep plays alive, and he effectively carried the Ravens to the Super Bowl with three great performances. If he keeps playing like he has the past month, the Ravens could win easily.
Playing for Ray Lewis: One of the NFL’s all-time great motivators will play in his final game Sunday. Lewis will certainly have the Ravens inspired, and his impending retirement should light a fire under his teammates. Lewis has been great in the postseason so far and had 44 tackles in three games.
Big-play receivers: The weakest spot on the 49ers’ defense is their secondary, and the Ravens have the weapons to exploit it. Second-year receiver Torrey Smith is one of the best deep threats in the NFL, and veteran Anquan Boldin has made some brilliant plays in the postseason. A few bombs to either could swing this game for the Ravens.
I picked the 49ers because I think they are better on both sides of the ball and have a coaching advantage (this is only Jim Harbaugh’s second season). I could easily see Lewis inspiring Baltimore to victory, but I don’t think he can perform as well as the Ravens need to win.
I guess we’ll all find out soon enough.
Enjoy the game, and keep coming back to detroitnews.com for live updates.
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