Superbowl XLVII was one for the ages. The second half will not be forgotten for years to come and featured the fantastic play of some old faces and new faces.
The opening drive featured a three-and-out from the 49ers, but Baltimore didn’t waste any time when they got the ball back. Joe Flacco took seven plays to drive the team down the field before hitting Anquan Boldin for the first touchdown of the game.
San Francisco responded with a scoring drive, as they were able to put a field goal up on the board from David Akers. Big catches by Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis helped set up the 36-yard field goal.
The 49ers would get the ball back one drive later, and blow what seemed to be a good opportunity. The drive started out with a 29-yard pass to Vernon Davis, and the 49ers were eventually in good field position to take the lead or at least put three up on the board. LaMichael James made a big mistake coughing up the ball that would be recovered by Baltimore’s Arthur Jones. Flacco and the Baltimore offense would take eight plays and 75 yards to drive the team down the field for their second touchdown of the game. A big 23-yard pass to tight end Ed Dickson kept the drive alive and the Ravens would eventually score on a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dennis Pitta, making the score 14-3.
The next play from scrimmage, Colin Kaepernick would commit his only turnover of the game throwing an interception to safety Ed Reed. The Ravens would get down into field goal range and had a chance to make it a 14 point game on a fourth down and nine from the fourteen yard line. The Ravens decided to try a fake field goal but were stopped a yard short and came away with no points on the drive.
After a three-and-out from the 49ers, Flacco wasted no time making his case on why he was the MVP of the game. On third down, Flacco fired deep down the field and completed the pass to an open Jacoby Jones, who went in for the 56-yard touchdown. 49ers fans were stunned and Ravens fans were starting to feel better and better about their chances with a 21-3 lead.
Akers would tack on a field goal as time expired in the first half, and the teams went into the half with a 21-6 game.
The second half was kicked off with some fireworks, as the opening kickoff was returned by Jacoby Jones for a 108-yard touchdown. The score stood 28-6, and a lot of people thought the game was almost a wrap. Just a few plays later, San Francisco was about to take a snap on offense before the lights went out in the SuperDome. The delay lasted over thirty minutes and the 49ers made a statement after the technical malfunction was over, trying to get themselves back into the game.
A little over five minutes into the second half, the 49ers would get their first touchdown of the game. Kaepernick was able to find Michael Crabtree who shook off two Baltimore defenders before taking it in for a 31-yard touchdown.
Baltimore would punt their next possession and Ted Ginn Jr. helped out the 49ers with a 32-yard return all the way down to the Baltimore twenty-yard line. Two plays later, Frank Gore, who finished the night with over 100 yards rushing, picked up his only touchdown of the game, on a six-yard carry. The touchdown made the score 28-20 and fans were buckling up for what looked to be a good finish.
Fields goals were exchanged between David Akers and Justin Tucker and the score was 31-23 as the 49ers took the field looking to tie the game up early in the fourth quarter. Kaepernick hit Randy Moss for a 32-yard gain and a 21-yard run by Frank Gore got the 49ers in perfect position to put points up on the board. Kaepernick would eventually score on a 15-yard rushing touchdown, to make the score 31-29. A 2-point conversion try came up, but they unable to convert.
Tucker hit another field goal to make the score 34-29 and the 49ers were set up with the ball and a chance to take the lead. A 24-yard catch by Crabtree and 33-yard run by Gore set San Francisco up with a first and goal from the seven yard line. James had a two-yard carry on first down, but three straight incompletions were thrown by Kaepernick which cost the 49ers the game. Heavy blitzes by the Baltimore defense drew some rushed throws and the Ravens were all but Superbowl champions after a huge goal line stand.
Baltimore would take a safety on a strategic call from John Harbaugh to make the score 35-32 with four seconds left.
The game was ended on a return from Ginn Jr. and the Ravens were world champions for the second time in their franchise history.
Joe Flacco was named MVP for his 287 yard, three touchdown, no interception passing performance. Jacoby Jones played a huge role with a kickoff return touchdown and a long receiving touchdown and some thought he was deserving of the MVP, as well. Ray Lewis finished, in what is said to be his last ever game, with seven tackles.
Photo Credits: Associated Press
