Third time is truly the charm, and we get to have the two Harbaugh brothers face each other across the field. Oh, Ray Lewis’ last game, and can a rookie quarterback win a superbowl?
Sounds like enough pregame drama to do better than anything Brady and Belichick could bring as the perceived CBS darlings.
Have fun Feb 3rd!
Congrats on the win, despite all the controversies.
There were some questionable 4th down decisions by both coaches, and one of my pet peeves is why professionals in sports refuse to use data mining analytics instead of traditional conservative gut calls. The most disastrous was Jim Harbaugh settling for a FG with 4th and 2, and the four points was more than the margin of victory. Another was John punting from midfield on 4th and 1 up 28-6, then SF responded with two quick TDs. Conceding a change of possession is statistically like conceding a FG, and with 4th and 1 you have about an 85-90% chance of maintaining it.
I would love to play in the Harbaughs next poker game. Maybe Chip Kelly in the NFL changes some of this.
Good to see Flacco rewarded for his constant improvement.
I am rooting for the Ravens, but the media and NFL management canonization of Ray Lewis is too much to take.
I cannot believe how short people’s memories are. When he was charged with murder in 2001, he was considered everything wrong with professional sports. I remember reading some detailed articles on the case, and it seemed to me he was falsely overcharged by the DA because he did not cooperate with the investigation. Yet, covering up the facts of a murder is does not make him innocent or a good guy.
As Wes Welker’s wife pointed out, he is hardly a role model, having 6 kids by 4 different women. And yes, we should judge this kind of thing harshly in an era when so many women and children are suffering at the hands of deadbeat or uninvolved fathers.
So the hysterical media has now run the complete cycle from devaluation to overidealization, true to form. Yet, the truth all along is somewhere in the middle, but we won’t hear that because it makes a lousy narrative.
The Flacco and Kaepernick stories are a bit more uplifting, because these involve underappreciated talents who overcome large odds to rise to the pinnacle of their sport. (no small thanks to Rahim Moore of the Broncos in part)
If the Steelers get back to the big game in Ben’s retirement year, it will be hilarious to watch the media and NFL try to spin our into a great role model of redemption. I wouldn’t put it past them.
Our “gladiators” are not heroes, but just fallible people who have trouble maintaining balance on that pedestal. Lewis probably has done more good than bad in his life, but, as long as there are games to be won, bets to be cashed, and egos to be stroked, creating villains and trying to get an edge to win, well, it’s the American way, eh?
One of the SI writers was interviewed by Baltimore sportscasters on Tuesday, and the writer admitted the story was done over a month ago, but, had to be published now?
Wanna bet the writer has a bet on the game Sunday?
Again, hope it’s a great game, if the Ravens win, sweeter, but, they make the 49ers work for it til the end, that’s cool too.
Hey, just as long as Brady and Belicheck ain’t there, even sweeter!
Yeah can’t wait ’til the 3rd!!!!
I think SF will shut down Ray Rice to take away the checkdown and force the moonballs.
That being said, I hope the Ravens buck the odds and win.
Wrote a comment last night, decided to delete it as it was too harsh in language, but will not back off on my belief the NFL does not like Baltimore and will allow things to be less than appropriate to diminish Raven wins. The power outage last night, cause?
Art Modell not in the Hall of Fame? Cleveland fans, hope your karma continues for another ten years at least.
Catch Godell’s speech in giving the trophy? Yeah, he was really sincere and invested in our win. NOT!
The most tarnished win I have ever watched in my life.