After 2 weeks of buildup, preparation and coverage – it’s almost time for the Super Bowl! The story lines are aplenty. The Harbaugh brothers will be the first siblings to ever meet in the big game. The San Francisco 49ers are 5-0 in the Super Bowl and the Baltimore Ravens are 1-0 on the same stage. The final ride of Ray Lewis will end today, likely in tears, as either a champion or falling just short of a storybook ending. One ironic note, Ray Lewis’ first NFL sack in 1996 was on a quarterback named Jim Harbaugh, who is now the coach of the Niners. Some will tune in for commercials or the halftime show, while others watch to enjoy their last football for 6 months. Regardless, New Orleans takes center stage tonight, as hundreds of millions of people will be watching what unfolds.

Since arriving in NOLA, earlier in the week, both teams have seemed to do a good job of avoiding distractions and staying out of trouble. Based on my own visits to New Orleans and considering the fact that Mardi Gras has already started, that’s not an easy task and I’m very impressed. Aside from all the prop bets ranging from how long the national anthem will take to how Beyoncé will wear her hair, it’s finally time to focus on the players and the game. They will come into the stadium as teams, so there won’t be a final “squirrel dance” from Ray Lewis. Although I like the team sentiment, I really was hoping to see him break it down once more. And once it’s game time, it’s no longer about the games taking place between brothers but the action happening inside the Superdome.

It seems like forever since we saw either of these teams play. Two weeks is a lot of time to plan, prepare, and then change those plans and prepare all over again. I can only imagine how many hundreds of hours of film that the coaching staffs have watched since their last game. Not surprising, there are some definite similarities between these two teams beyond the names of Jim and John Harbaugh. The game will feature two hard-hitting defenses with arguably four the best safeties in the game taking the field  – which are likely to make some hits we’ll be talking about tomorrow. Additionally, each team has a 1,000+ yard rusher – and Ray Rice and Frank Gore can both be game changers. They both have young, talented quarterbacks…but that’s where the similarities end. Joe Flacco has been spectacular for the Ravens in the playoffs and is a major threat with the deep ball. Colin Kaepernick can hurt you with his arm or legs for the 49ers and has to be a nightmare to try to game plan for.

Both teams are rested and ready to go. Based on what I’ve heard from people down there, purple is the dominant color on Bourbon Street and a home game environment is expected for Baltimore. So, here are some keys to victory for each team…
Baltimore Ravens: Flacco will need to make clutch completions – likely to Torrey Smith, Anquan Boldin, or Dennis Pitta. The offensive attack will need to keep some balance and Rice needs to have another 100 yard rushing day. The defense has to pressure Kaepernick (while trying to keep him in the pocket) and play stout on the d-line so the 49ers can’t get push for their running backs.
San Francisco 49ers: Kaepernick needs to rely on his ability to make plays and use his feet to avoid forcing something (and potentially creating a turnover). Frank Gore and Vernon Davis have to be involved in the offense for them to be successful. The defense needs to limit Flacco’s ability to throw deep and the line must get pressure with their front four.

If the keys for both teams happen, we’ll either be watching a shootout or a scoreless game. I’ve doubted both teams this postseason and new stars have emerged for each team. Joe Flacco is going to get a big payday this offseason based on how he’s played lately and is turning into a big play guy. I expect that play to continue today, as he will take his shots downfield, with several weapons to target. A big part of his success here will be how the O-line does against the Niners (and how the Smith’s play today). If Baltimore’s line gets some push and gives Flacco time to throw, we could see the “Joe show” again today. San Francisco’s defense struggled with the deep ball against Atlanta, so I’m sure they’ve worked on adjustments, but is something to watch for again today. Kaepernick is a stud – big, fast, good arm, athletic – but also young and needs to play smart. He can’t successfully play from behind like he was able to do against Atlanta. The aging Ravens defense will have their hands full with him today. They have struggled against other quarterbacks this postseason but made a big play when they needed to. They are also playing with emotion on their side based on the leaders who won’t be back next year, but the impact of that is hard to measure. I don’t have a pulse for special teams on either side, but the obvious goal for both is not to give up any big plays. Those can be game changers, but the Ravens also gave up 2 special teams touchdowns to the Broncos and managed to win that game.

Prediction: There are many ways that I could see this game unfolding based on the start that each team gets off to. On paper, the Niners are the better team. Based on what I’ve seen this postseason, the Ravens have a swagger that doesn’t seem to stop. In the end, I think the recent struggles of the SF defense will be exploited by Flacco & Co and Ray Lewis rides out on top…maybe we can even see a celebratory squirrel dance?!?
Ravens 28
Niners 24