Sunday, July 17, 2016

Ranking The Super Bowls, #11: Super Bowl XLVII

(photo credit: youtube,com)
Super Bowl XLVII was one of the most exciting Super Bowls in recent memory. It had a little of everything, including brothers who happened to be head coaches for the respected teams, as well as a black out of the lights in the Superdome that shut down play. Not only was it an action packed game that came down to the wire, but it was also middle linebacker Ray Lewis' last game.

Super Bowl XLVII saw the Baltimore Ravens defeat the San Francisco 49ers 34-31, despite a late surge by San Francisco. It was the Ravens second Super Bowl title in franchise history, while the 49ers lost for the first time in six appearances. Joe Flacco threw for three touchdowns for the Ravens, helping his head coach, John Harbaugh, win his first Super Bowl by defeating his brother Jim, the 49ers head coach.

After Jacoby Jones of the Ravens return a kickoff for 108-yards for a touchdown to start the second half, giving Baltimore a 28-6 lead, the game seemed out of reach. However, moments later, half of the lights in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome went out due to a power outage, causing the game to be put on hold. The power outage came after a sack on 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick by Author Jones of the Ravens with 13:28 left in the third quarter. The outage caused a 34-minute delay.

After the delay, the 49ers went on a furious rally, scoring 17 straight points in just under five minutes to cut the Ravens lead to 28-23. Included in the flurry of points was a 31-yard touchdown pass from Kaepernick to wide receiver Michael Crabtree, as well as a six-yard touchdown run by running back Frank Gore.

Baltimore's kicker, Justin Tucker,  kicked a 19-yard field goal to give the Ravens a 31-23 lead with 12:54 left in the game. But on the next 49ers possession, they marched right down the field, scoring on Kaepernick's 15-yard touchdown run, leaving only 9:57 left on the clock. The score cut Baltimore's lead to 31-29, forcing Jim Harbaugh to go for a two-point conversion to try and tie the game. Unfortunately for the 49ers, Kaepernick could not connect with wide receiver, Randy Moss, allowing for the Ravens to hold on to their slim lead.

With 4:19 left to go in game, Ravens kicker Justin Tucker kicked a 38-yard field goal to give Baltimore a 34-29 lead, and some much needed breathing room. The 49ers, however, were able to drive down the field once again, and setting the stage for San Francisco to possibly take the lead. But unfortunately for San Francisco, they weren't able to capitalize on the drive, turning the ball over on downs. They were awarded a safety though when Ravens punter, Sam Koch, ran out of the end zone with only four seconds remaining in the game. But with that, Super Bowl XLVII was decided.

It was clear to the fans in the stadium, and those watching around the world, that Super Bowl XLVII was one of most exhilarating games they have ever watched. Quarterback Joe Flacco was named Super Bowl MVP, completing 22-of-33 passes for 287 yards with three touchdowns. Ray Lewis, the Ravens 13-time Pro Bowler, who was playing in his last game, collected seven tackles in his final game.

Colin Kaepernick of the 49ers finished with 302 yards passing, along with a touchdown and an interception. He also had 62 yards rushing. Running back Frank Gore added 110 yards rushing on 19 carries with one touchdown. Michael Crabtree caught five passes for 109 yards with a score, and Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin had six catches for 104 yards with a touchdown.

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