It is always bittersweet for me to see the Super Bowl get
big in the football window. Sweet because the biggest game of the year is only
days away; bitter because that game marks the end of watching grown men smash
each other for a few months … leaving only the NFL Combine, free agency and the
Draft in April to look forward to. Ahh … the Super Bowl. How America loves ye.
But anyway, let’s move on to some random thoughts on the
Pro Bowl and a preview/prediction for the Super Bowl.
Players Save the Pro
Bowl
Commissioner Roger Goodell has done a lot of good for the
NFL over the past few years. Many grouse about his heavy-handed suspension and
fines, but I think overall the league is better for having him in the chair.
Take the Pro Bowl for instance. Last year’s game was a disgrace; players barely
tried. Roger threatened to eliminate the game. So what happened? It actually
looked like a football game this year.
I typically root for the AFC, but generally don’t really
care who wins the game. It’s one of the last two games for the season, so I
will watch. The best part this year was watching the six Chiefs in the game.
Pretty good (a record in fact) for a team with only two wins. It proves the
talent is there. Hopefully the leadership is there now, too. This fan is already
looking forward to next season with Andy Reid (Big Red) at the helm.
Super Bowl XLVII
RAVENS VS 49ERS
This game is also known as the HarBowl or Ray Lewis’ last
dance or the battle of two unknown quarterbacks or the Revival of New Orleans.
There are plenty of storylines to go around at this year’s NFL championship
game, and most of us will be sick of hearing about most of them by kickoff on
Sunday.
The one I like, and some of you may disagree, is the story
of two brothers coaching against each other in the biggest game of their lives.
Put yourself in their place. I want to win as bad as the next guy (OK, probably
more) but knowing that your bro is going to be crushed at the very moment that
you have one of the greatest moments of your life. That’s heavy. Mr. & Mrs.
Harbaugh have to be torn. It’s the best of times, but it is also tough, I’m
sure. Imagine being incredibly joyful for one son while consoling and
heartbroken for the other. What an incredible situation God has placed in front
of that family. They seem to be handling it with humility, grace and joy. Good
for them.
On to the game … most of the official betting lines have the
Niners favored by 3-4 points. By all accounts it should be a hard-hitting and
close game. The teams (and coaches) mirror each other – tough defense, good running
games, vertical passing, TEs heavily involved, strong special teams, emotional
leaders across the board.
All that said, it’s going to come down to which defense can
stop the opposing team’s biggest offensive threat. For the Ravens that is
Flacco to Torrey Smith going deep. For the Niners, it’s Kaepernick and the
read-option from the quarterback position. Atlanta poked holes in the San
Francisco secondary, and I think Baltimore will, too. My prediction: Ravens 28,
Niners 24. Good bye, Ray Lewis.
Until next time, thanks for reading.
Steve
