- In case you haven't heard, the Super Bowl is coming up on Sunday, so we've separated today's edition into multiple Super Bowl related posts. The biggest non-game related storyline leading up to the Super Bowl is the two head coaches who are brothers. Older brother, John Harbaugh coaches the Baltimore Ravens, his brother Jim (15 months younger) coaches the 49ers. This will be the second time in history that two brothers have coached against each other, the first being when the Harbaughs faced each other last year on Thanksgiving when the Ravens won 16-6. Their father Jack was a college head coach, and football has been in their life from the time they were little. Jim was a near Pro Bowl caliber quarterback for a number of NFL teams, while John has been a coach since the mid-80s, and the head coach of the Ravens since 2008.
- This will be the last game for Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis. Lewis will go down as arguably the greatest linebacker in the history of the NFL. His legacy will include that, at least one Super Bowl (in 2000) but will also include his involvement in a murder soon after that game and steroid allegations over the past few days after his incredibly fast return from torn triceps. Lewis will always been a leader, but will potentially be remembered for emotional leadership and his signature dance. Strangely enough, Lewis's first ever sack in the NFL was against Jim Harbaugh when he was QB of the Colts.
- New Orleans will host the Super Bowl for the 10th time, in the Superdome for the 7th time. This is the first Super Bowl in New Orleans since 2002, and the first time since the Superdome became a refuge during Hurricane Katrina. It may also be an outlet for frustrated Saints fans to take vengeance on commissioner Roger Goodell, whose cutthroat suspensions probably cost the Saints a more successful season than their 7-9 2012 campaign.
49ers Kaepernick-ing into Super Bowl
- A week 10 concussion to starting quarterback Alex Smith, who led the NFL is completion percentage at the time probably looked bad on the surface for the 49ers, but it seems to have given them the offensive spark they needed to make the Super Bowl this season by opening the path for phenom Colin Kaepernick to take over the job.
- Kaepernick has made waves not only with his superb play both running and passing the ball but also with the internet sensation "Kaepernicking" which is essentially just kissing your bicep (his celebration after a score). Other Kaepernick facts include the fact that he already owns the NFL's single game rushing record for a QB (set just weeks ago against Green Bay in the playoffs) and he owns a giant pet tortoise.
- In addition to their star QB, San Francisco has a great veteran RB in Frank Gore and are led by a stout defense, the best linebacker in the league (Patrick Willis) and a player that many think has been ever better than him over the past year or two in Navarro Bowman as well as a fearsome combo of defensive linemen. The 49ers hard hitting defense will likely be the reason the they win the Lombardi Trophy if they do so.
Flacco’s rise lead Ravens to the Super Bowl
- Much beguiled Baltimore Ravens quarterback has had a breakthrough postseason, potentially making millions as he becomes a free agent after the Super Bowl. While he can technically sign with any team, he'll probably be hard-pressed to leave a Ravens team who he's going to the Super Bowl with and who badly wants him back.
- It will be very interesting if Flacco returns to the Super Bowl next year though, as he'd made waves by calling it "retarded" that the Super Bowl would be played in New Jersey next winter. The Super Bowl has always been played either in a warm city or inside in a dome. The stadium in NJ is outdoors and will likely feature a game that's in the 30's or 40's. Flacco has apologized for using the word retarded but stands by his comments blasting the NFL for a cold-weather Super Bowl.
- No commentary on the Ravens would be complete without mentioning Ray Lewis, whose final game will be this Super Bowl, but since so much coverage has surrounded him, we'll also mention that fellow Hall of Fame lock, Ed Reed, may also be playing his last game as a Raven. Many experts believe that Reed, not Lewis, has been the most integral part of the Ravens defense since he was drafted and if Baltimore wins, Reed will probably need to have a great game.
- Additionally, running back Ray Rice, conserved during the regular season, looks to cement his position amongst the greatest running backs in the NFL with a Super Bowl Championship.
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