Wiliam Owen
Blue & White Flash / Staff Writer
Get ready football fans, the dreadful wait for the big day is almost at a halt. Coaches and players from the two deserving teams are preparing for the game that all 32 NFL teams eye at the beginning of the season.
The anticipation of Super Bowl XLVII is steadily growing as people pictured this to be the Super Bowl match-up last year, but were disappointed as both teams lost in their conference championship game.
Who carried the momentum heading into the Super Bowl? This was the question. The San Francisco 49ers snuck into the Super Bowl after overcoming a 17 point lead by the Atlanta Falcons, which is the second largest deficit anyone has overcome in a conference championship game (Indianapolis trailed New England by 18 points in 2006).
Colin Kaepernick, quarterback of the 49ers had a QB Rating of 127.7 that ranks fifth in franchise postseason history, while his teammate Vernon Davis became the first tight end to record 100 yards receiving in three of his first four career postseason games.
Zion Pyatt, a senior mass communications major and Baltimore native, weighed in on the Ravens key to winning the game.
“All I know is we have to stop Vernon Davis and contain Colin Kaepernick,” Pyatt said.
The Ravens also enter the Super Bowl with momentum after defeating two future Hall Of Fame quarterbacks (Tom Brady, Peyton Manning). With the last victory, Joe Flacco became the first quarterback to beat Tom Brady twice at home.
Although he has often been criticized about his accuracy, Joe Flacco has flourished in the postseason throwing for 8 touchdowns and no interceptions. How Flacco performs will be the deciding factor in the final score of the game.
When speaking of an x-factor and motivator for the sport of football, there is no name that should be thought of before Ray Lewis. Lewis is finishing his speculated last season in the NFL and over the last couple seasons he has lost a few steps physically, but has climbed twice the amount mentally. Any player that dances in front of his team, and throws grass on himself is sure to fire up his teammates!
Qua Cox, a junior physical education health major from Tuskegee, Ala. thinks Patrick Willis will be a key to the game.
“He’s a dominator on defense, he makes all the defensive calls, and that’s what it’s going to come down to,” said Cox.
The Ravens have a 13-7 home playoff record which is the best winning percentage in NFL history (.650). The 49ers record of (29-19)(.604)is not far behind as they own the fourth best winning percentage in playoff history.
This is also the first time that brothers will be facing off against each other in the Super Bowl as head coaches. John Harbaugh (Ravens Head Coach) says that his brother Jim (49ers Head Coach) was trying to “soften him up” when Jim said that John was the better coach.
John continued to explain how he and Jim fought for everything growing up, from the extra hotdog to girls, but he says since they both got their girl all they are looking for is a victory this upcoming weekend.
I feel that the Ravens will win Superbowl XLVII 24-20. You heard it here first.
The views expressed in the commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.
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