20 Lasting Images from Super Bowl XLVII
Images to Remember from Super Bowl XLVII
Super Bowl XLVII certainly wasn't the greatest of all-time, but you could make a solid case for it being the most unique. It was a game that had a little bit of everything. Of course there was the obvious first of two brothers coaching against each other. Then on one side you have a retiring legend playing in his last game, going up against one of the league's rising stars.
Oh yeah, and there was a blackout during the game, causing more than a half an hour delay which completely turned around a one-sided contest. Of course all of this happened by the third quarter. The fourth quarter was loaded with controversy as many feel there should have been holding called on the Baltimore Ravens during the San Francisco 49ers final offensive play.
In the end, SB 47 turned out to be a great game. It sure didn't seem like it was going to be that way for awhile though. The Ravens were no doubt the better prepared team on this Sunday. Who knows where the game goes if the blackout never happens? I still think the Niners would have made a run, but I don't think it would have come down to the last play.
Props must be given to San Francisco for hanging in, but there's no doubt in my mind that Baltimore was the better team. The Ravens were that team that had all the right pieces in place at the right time, and somehow they put together a magical Super Bowl run. They are unquestionably the best team in football after going to Denver and Foxborough in consecutive weeks and then defeating the up-and-coming 49ers led by Colin Kaepernick.
The Ravens took out everyone in these playoffs. This wasn't a case of things setting up well for them, they had about the most difficult road possible to New Orleans. Not only did they get there, but they took care of business.
This slideshow contains some of the lasting images and messages fans will take from Super Bowl XLVII, what I think I'll now call the most unique Super Bowl in history:
Two Brothers
There's a solid chance that we'll never see anything like this again. Two brothers coaching against each other in a Super Bowl, amazing.
Ray Lewis Rallies the Troops One Last Time
It wasn't quite the same as normal with all the photographers and media members mixed in the huddle, but Lewis managed to get his team fired up for a great start to the game.
A Legend Stares Down a Young Star
A 17-year veteran prepares to do battle against arguably the game's biggest rising star.
Jim Harbaugh Really is the Younger Brother
Harbaugh's antics on the sideline were no doubt childish at times during SB 47. Throwing papers and stomping his feet, Jim really did seem like a much younger brother to John.
Super Bowl Fight
Things were chippy down on the field throughout the game this year. It all culminated with scuffle in the second quarter with a stomp to the back of Carey Williams which led to him shoving an official on accident.
The Fake Field Goal
This could have gone down as an infamous call if the Ravens lose this game. Asking your kicker to run for nine yards on a fake is a bit much if you ask me, but I liked the call to go for the jugular.
Joe Flacco Becomes Elite
If you don't think Flacco is an elite top-tier quarterback in the NFL after his 2013 postseason run, I'd really like to hear your argument.
Chris Culliver Jumps Over Jacoby Jones after Getting Burned
In one of the more bizarre Super Bowl plays, Jones got to his feet and scampered into the end zone after a bomb from Flacco.
Beyonce
You only need one word to describe the Super Bowl halftime show, Beyonce. That is all.
Jacoby Jones Sets a Super Bowl Record with 108-Yard Kickoff Return
Talk about an X-factor, that was Jacoby Jones on Sunday for the Ravens. Oh you'd like to gain some momentum to start the second half San Francisco? Too bad.
"The Delay"
You just can't make this stuff up. Somebody screwed up, and half the lights in the Super Dome went down shortly into the third quarter. Big time laps need to be taken for whoever is at fault for halting the Ravens momentum and completely changing this game. Although it wasn't fair, it did make the game much more interesting. Conspiracy? Just kidding.
Colin Kaepernick Beats Everyone for a TD
This kid is just ridiculously fast and he proved how fast on his 15-yard scamper to the end zone in the fourth quarter. Nobody even touched him.
Anquan Boldin Helps Seal the Deal on a Ridiculous Throw and Catch
Third and one and the Ravens go to the air. Flacco basically threw this one up for grabs and Boldin went up and got it. This was a ball thrown right where it needed to be, but most of the credit has to go to Boldin for rising up and making a play when it counted most.
Holding!?
Depending on who you ask, this play should have resulted in defensive holding on the Ravens, or a no-call. I like it as a no-call because it was no secret the refs were letting things go the entire game. If you're Michael Crabtree, you've got to find a way to make a play. However, I think the throw was too far out of bounds anyway. Certainly not an uncatchable ball, but very difficult to catch with two feet inbounds.
Sam Koch Wastes Eight Seconds to Kill the Game
Talk about holding, there was blatant holding on this play which helped Koch run out the clock on the second to last play of the game. If you had the Super Bowl ending on a safety and a free kick, raise your hand.
Controversial Ending
People will try to make this game about controversy, and while it had it's fair share, I don't think there's any question the Ravens were the better team. I'm sure some 49ers fans will contend they got screwed and I get that argument, but the reality is that they came out flat and dug a hole too deep to get out of.
Victory
This has to be the ultimate feeling in professional sports, winning a world championship.
The Young Star in Defeat
There's always next year kid - and the year after, and the year after that, and that....
John Harbaugh Experiencing All of Football's Glory
Presenting the Lombardi trophy to all your fans after winning a Super Bowl has to result in quite the endorphin rush. John Harbaugh made it to the top of the football mountain Sunday, and showed why he's the better Harbaugh coach.
Ray Lewis Goes Out a Champion
You can hate Ray Lewis all you want, but you can't take away the fact he left the game of football as a champion.
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