The Baltimore Ravens won the team’s second Super Bowl in franchise history with a hardfought 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
The teams squared off in an instant classic Super Bowl on Feb. 3.
There were exciting build ups leading up to the game.
The Harbaugh brothers — Jim for the 49ers and John for the Ravens — were coaching against each other for the second time in their careers.
Legendary Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis played the last game of his career after announcing his retirement halfway through the season. San Francisco linebacker Patrick Willis was also out to prove that he is worth taking the torch from Ray Lewis as the best linebacker in football.
A power outage occurred unexpectedly in the 3rd quarter, which resulted in a half hour delay.
The outage gave the 49ers new life as they stormed back from being down 22 points late in the 3rd quarter with a six-yard touchdown run from running back Frank Gore and quarterback Colin Kaepernick with a 15-yard run early in the 4th quarter to cut the Ravens lead to 31-29.
The final five minutes of the game provided intensity for the thousands in attendance and millions at home. Ravens kicker
Justin Tucker’s field goal extended the team’s lead to 34-29. It forced the 49ers to have a touchdown drive on the next possession.
The 49ers drove down the field and entered the red zone with a chance to take the lead for the first time.
The 49ers failed to score on first, second and third down which led to a crucial fourth down that brought controversy.
The Ravens threw an all-out blitz to try to sack Kaepernick.
He quickly threw the ball to Michael Crabtree but it turned out to be too high.
Ravens defensive back Jimmy Smith was questionably holding Crabtree when the ball was thrown his way, no flags were
thrown and 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh was irate on the sidelines.
The 49ers eventually had one more shot to win the game when the Ravens took a safety to run some clock out.
Baltimore kicked it off with 12 seconds left in the game and 49ers kick returner Ted Ginn Jr. gained about 15 yards off it but time winded down and the Ravens stormed the field as Super Bowl XLVII champions.
Lewis screamed in joy around his teammates that he’s retiring a champion. Quarterback Joe Flacco won the Super Bowl Most Valuable
Player award for throwing 287 yards and three touchdowns.
