Offense:
49ers: Many experts were skeptical two months ago when San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh made a quarterback change from Alex Smith to Colin Kaepernick. They had good reason to be. Smith had led the team to a 6-2-1 record this season and had the best quarterback rating in the NFL until Week 10. A concussion sidelined him until he was cleared, but Kaepernick’s dazzling performance in Week 10 kept Smith on the sideline for the remainder of the season. With Kaepernick, the 49ers are 7-2, in the Super Bowl and looking like a more dynamic team each and every week. Harbaugh’s gutsy decision to start Kaepernick has paid off thus far. Others are benefitting from Kaepernick’s play as well. Running back Frank Gore is averaging more yards per carry and wide receiver Michael Crabtree is flourishing.
Ravens: The offensive headlines for the Baltimore Ravens this postseason have revolved around the emergence of quarterback Joe Flacco as an “elite” player. Many have questioned his performances throughout his five regular seasons, but there is no question the man shows up in the playoffs. He is the only quarterback in NFL history to win a postseason game in each of his first five seasons. A miracle 70-yard touchdown throw to Jacoby Jones late in the game against Denver in the divisional round and an impeccable performance against golden boy Tom Brady have been the landmark moments in a good post season so far for Flacco.
Edge: 49ers
Defense:
49ers: The 49ers’ bread and butter all year long has been its defense. Despite not having a sack since Week 14, outside linebacker Aldon Smith has been one of the most dominating defensive players since coming into the league. He has 19.5 sacks alone this season. The linebacker crew of Navorro Bowman, Patrick Willis and Ahmad Brooks has been noted as possibly the best in the NFL. However, this postseason the San Francisco defense has given up an uncharacteristically high number of points, but is backed by the stellar play of Kaepernick and the offense.
Ravens: The Ravens have had a notoriously ruthless defense ever since linebacker Ray Lewis joined the crew in 1996. Because this is Lewis’ last NFL game before he retires, we can expect a hungry and passionate performance from the Ravens’ defense. Despite losing cornerback Lardarius Webb for the season, the Ravens’ secondary, led by safety Ed Reed, has performed marvelously this postseason.
Edge: Ravens
Coaching
49ers: The younger of the brothers, Jim, has his 49ers team in the Super Bowl in only his second season in the NFL. Harbaugh put the Stanford Cardinal back on the map with the help of quarterback Andrew Luck, who now plays for the Indianapolis Colts. Harbaugh has a very emotional style of coaching. He is one of the best motivators in the NFL and believes in his team as much as a coach can. He has taken a once-storied franchise back to the Super Bowl, a franchise which is 5-0 in Super Bowls and is looking to continue that streak.
Ravens: The Ravens have endured perhaps the most adversity in the NFL this season. They lost defensive stars Webb, Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs, and Ray Lewis throughout the season. This is a team which prides itself mostly on defense. Older brother John Harbaugh has done a terrific job keeping his team levelheaded and has the team back in the Super Bowl for the first time since 2001, the franchise’s first and only Super Bowl title.
Edge: Tied
