The Baltimore Ravens, some referring to as the "team of destiny" given the retirement of Ray Lewis, and potentially long-time center Matt Birk as well, versus the San Francisco 49ers, led by QB Colin Kaepernick, making just his 10th NFL start. Kaepernick will be among a group of just a pair, of QBs entering the Super Bowl with the fewest starts.
So, before I announce my prediction, first I'll do a position breakdown, just looking at starters. So sit back, and enjoy.
QB: Joe Flacco vs. Colin Kaepernick
Flacco seems to be more of a postseason QB than a regular season QB, much like Eli Manning. You won't see either among the top in regular season stats, but they come into their own in the postseason. That being said, it always feels like you can never fully trust Flacco, we'll see if he can shine on the biggest stage.
Kaepernick has quickly risen to the top among young QBs in the league, in a year where it was all about rookies Andrew Luck, RG3 and Russell Wilson. Don't be fooled by Kaepernick's quickness, as he also possesses a cannon of an arm, bringing a down field passing game that wasn't quite there with Alex Smith. Will a lack of experience be a factor?
Edge: 49ers - In the end, I just like what Kaepernick is doing in this pistol offense.
RB: Ray Rice vs. Frank Gore
With the addition of Jim Caldwell being promoted to offensive coordinator, Ray Rice has become more of a feature in the Ravens offense, as he should be. When Rice has the ball, anything is possible, and its near criminal that he's frequently been abandoned.
Frank Gore is one of the most underrated RBs in the league. When he's healthy, he can be a powerful, down hill runner. Gore is an even bigger threat in the 49ers pistol offense.
Edge: 49ers/Ravens - I just can't choose between the two, each brings a different dynamic to the game. With Dixon and the speedy LaMichael James, I would give a slight edge overall to the running game with the 49ers.
WR: Torrey Smith/Anquan Boldin vs. Michael Crabtree/Randy Moss
Smith and Boldin each bring a different dynamic to the Ravens passing game. Smith is a downfield threat who can beat any CB downfield, where Boldin is more of a route running WR, capable of getting the Ravens that crucial 3rd down.
Crabtree has become more of a threat with Kaepernick starting, as Crabtree continues to evolve as a WR and come into his own. Also, don't forget about Moss just because of his age, he is very much still a threat, just not the same one as he used to be.
Edge: Ravens - All in all, Smith and Boldin just pose as more of a threat
TE: Dennis Pitta vs. Vernon Davis
Pitta and Ed Dickson are used fairly evenly, but Pitta is seen as the starter, a nice 1-2 threat to have at the TE position.
Davis is one of the top TEs in the league who is finally reaching his potential and coming into his own. He was somewhat abandoned at first in the pistol offense under Kaepernick, but he's getting targeted more and more in the postseason.
Edge: There's no question here, Davis is the true top threat in the 49ers passing game.
OT: Bryant McKinnie/Michael Oher vs. Joe Staley/Anthony Davis
The background story to Oher is very well known and documented in "The Blind Side", however he can be inconsistent at times and often penalized. McKinnie is a solid veteran.
Staley may be one of the best OT's in the league, and Davis is a young OT coming into his own.
Edge: 49ers - Staley/Davis are just too good of a combo at OT
OG/C: Kelechi Osemele/Matt Birk/Marshal Yanda vs. Mike Iupati/Jonathan Goodwin/Alex Boone
Birk is one of the top centers in the game, as this might be his last game as he considers retirement. Overall, this interior line does a good job keeping Flacco upright.
Iupati is one of the top young offensive lineman, allowing the 49ers to use their offensive schemes.
Edge: Ravens - Giving a slight edge here to the Ravens mainly because of the presence of Birk
On offense, I give a slight overall edge to the 49ers. With Kaepernick/Gore/Davis, its just too much of a threat, with a lot of different targets for Kaepernick to choose from.
DE: Arthur Jones/Haloti Ngata vs. Ray McDonald/Justin Smith
Ngata is a big presence on that defensive line, and Jones is a big presence as well, but not often talked about.
McDonald and Smith are a good 1-2 combo at DE, when Smith is healthy
Edge: 49ers - Smith is just too much of a force, and he's getting healthier every week, which is a danger for the Ravens
DT: Ma'ake Kemoeatu vs. Isaac Sopoaga
Kemoeatu along with Terrence Cody are a big force, and tough obstacle for opposing team's OL's.
Sopoaga is a strong force, but the 49ers don't have a DT like Cody to back him up.
Edge: Ravens - Just a nice 1-2 punch at DT
OLB: Terrell Suggs/Paul Kruger vs. Ahmad Brooks/Aldon Smith
Suggs is getting better every week coming off of a torn achilles tendon prior to the season, coming back faster than anyone expected him. Kruger is also a force coming into his own, with 9 sacks on the year.
Aldon Smith is in a league all his own, with 19.5 sacks on the year. However, Brooks isn't the same compliment as Kruger is to Suggs.
Edge: 49ers - Yes, Brooks may not be as good as Kruger, but Aldon Smith is in a league all his own
MLB: Dannell Ellerbe/Ray Lewis vs. NaVorro Bowman/Patrick Willis
Ray Lewis will end what was a fantastic career tonight. That being said, he just isn't the same threat he once was.
Bowman and Willis may both be top 5 caliber MLB's, a true 1-2 combo to be feared at MLB
Edge: 49ers - Easy advantage here, Bowman and Willis are simply the best in the game
CB: Corey Graham/Cary Williams vs. Carlos Rogers/Tarell Brown
Ravens have been decimated at CB through injuries, but Graham and Williams have held their own at the starting CB spot
Not exactly ballhawks, but Rogers and Brown are solid at CB
Edge: 49ers - Might be a different story if the Ravens had their original CBs, but as it is, edge goes to the 49ers
SS: Bernard Pollard vs. Donte Whitner
Pollard is an aggressive SS, known for his violent hitting. Patriots probably don't want to see Pollard anytime soon
Whitner is a solid veteran SS, strong presence in the 49ers secondary
Edge: Ravens - Pollard doesn't hold anything back on or off the field. His aggressiveness gives him the edge over Whitner
FS: Ed Reed vs. Dashon Goldson
Reed is one of the top safeties in the game, and a sure-fire 1st ballot hall of famer. This could be his last year with the Ravens, as he could be going elsewhere, but don't be fooled, QBs should still fear him
Goldson is a nice compliment to Whitner, making a nice pair of safeties for the 49ers.
Edge: Ravens - 49ers have a good pair of safeties, but when Reed makes a pick, it always seems like he's going to take it back to the house. Edge Ravens
I give a slight edge on defense to the 49ers. A younger defense, but by no means a runaway pick. The Ravens safeties more than make up for what the Ravens lack at LB.
K: Justin Tucker vs. David Akers
A rookie, Tucker has been solid this year for the Ravens, making a clutch fg in the Ravens 2OT win over the Broncos.
Akers, usually solid, has been incredibly shaky this year, so much so that the 49ers even brought in former Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff, ultimately sticking with Akers.
Edge: Ravens - With the game on the line, you would rather have Tucker right now.
P: Sam Koch vs. Andy Lee
Koch is a solid punter in his own right, with an average of more than 47yds per punt
Lee is one of the best punters in the game, changing field position on a dime, with 36 punts inside the 20yd line
Edge: 49ers - Lee is just one of the most consistent punters in the game
KR/PR: Jacoby Jones vs. LaMichael James/Ted Ginn Jr
Jones is a double threat as a #3 WR along with both a kick and punt return specialist. He averaged over a 30yd return on kickoffs and 9yds on punt returns, with 3 return TDs in 2012.
LaMichael James has carried his college speed over to the NFL, just now being used at RB, but also as a kick return specialist, with a season long of a 62yd return. Ginn, more known for his returning abilities than receiving abilities, is also a solid returner.
Edge: Ravens - Jones is just a pure dual threat both returning and receiving
49ers have the edge at QB,TE,OT,DE,OLB,MLB,CB,P
Ravens have the edge at WR,OG/C,DT,SS,FS,K,KR/PR
Both teams are tied at RB
In the end, I just think the 49ers LBs will be too much, containing Rice, and Kaepernick will be able to run on the Ravens
The game remains close throughout. The Ravens will kick a tying/go ahead FG with 2+ minutes left, and I see Kaepernick driving the length of the field, with a game winner by none other…..than Randy Moss when the 49ers are in the redzone.
49ers 24 - Ravens 20
MVP: Colin Kaepernick
Dark Horse MVP: Vernon Davis
MVP: Colin Kaepernick
Dark Horse MVP: Vernon Davis
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