Bob Haynie: The Big Game In The Big Easy
Ah, the Super Bowl. The grandest stage of them all. A chance for teams and players to make themselves immortal--or infamous--in the annals of the National Football League.
This Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49'ers will face each other in New Orleans for the right to be called champions of the football world. Well, at least according to our style of football here in the good old USA, anyway.
For the 49'ers, this will be the franchise's sixth trip to the Super Bowl. They have never lost. Led by Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Steve Young and countless others, San Francisco is a perfect 5-0 in the NFL's championship game.
The Baltimore Ravens are 12 years removed from their last Super Bowl appearance. As you remember, the Ravens waxed the New York Giants, 34-7, to claim the coveted Vince Lombardi trophy back in January of 2001.
When it comes to the Super Bowl, you can always expect drama and storylines. This week has been no different. From deer spray and sibling rivalry, to homophobia and hubris, we have seen it all.
Now it's time to talk about the game.
Even though Ravens QB Joe Flacco has been getting praise for his fantastic postseason, it still seems as though SF quarterback Colin Kaepernick is being viewed as the game's difference maker.
That is all very touching.
Kaepernick is a huge reason why the 49'ers are in New Orleans. I get that.
But Flacco is a proven playoff performer.
After beating Denver's Peyton Manning and New England's Tom Brady in back-to-back weeks--on the road--Joe stood tall and led his team to the AFC title.
He is good with this game.
He has almost as many playoff wins as Kaepernick has career starts.
If the game comes down to QB play, I'm going with Flacco.
As for the defenses, both teams are tough and physical. Both have had injury issues and both have been exposed, at times.
Which unit is playing better right now? We'll find out Sunday at the Superdome. I'm leaning towards Baltimore.
Special teams edge I'll give to Ravens and we'll see whether John or Jim proves to be the better Harbaugh on the sidelines.
I see a fun game happening on Sunday. I also see a lot of points being scored.
The Ravens will win the turnover battle and Flacco will make more plays.
I'm picking the Ravens 30-24.
Win or lose, this has been one of hell of a season. Hopefully, it ends with Baltimore winning a Super Bowl championship.
Something a lot of people thought was impossible six weeks ago.
BH
