Super Bowl XLVII Preview and Prediction

The career of Ray Lewis has been the talk of the media, but Patrick Willis may surpass his greatness soon enough. (Cary Edmondson)

Super Bowl preview after Super Bowl preview focuses on how the head coaches of the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens are brothers. Thanks to Jim and John we have what has been dubbed the Harbowl.What has been somewhat overlooked is how talented a number of players in this game are. After all, when all is said and done, it is the football players on the field that decide the game not the head coaches.

49ers: Many questioned why 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh made a quarterback switch from Alex Smith to Colin Kaepernick in Week 11. Kaepernick has answered every question thrown his way. In his first career playoff game, he threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 181 yards and two touchdowns. The latter was a new record for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a playoff game ever. Kaepernick's addition was rejuvenated and diversified the 49ers offense. Last week, he helped the 49ers overcome a 17-0 road deficit to defeat the Falcons in the NFC Title Game. The 49ers defense that has been superb all season came up with a courageous goal line stand in the closing moments of that game to send their team to the Super Bowl.

Ravens: The Ravens got off to a strong 9-2 start to the season, but their offense sputtered midseason leading to consecutive losses. John Harbaugh made his questionable move by firing his offensive coordinator and bringing in Jim Caldwell. Caldwell has opened up the passing game, which has allowed Joe Flacco to shine. The Ravens defense got the boost it needed from the return of Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs. They dominated the Colts offense in the wild card game. The Ravens then needed a miracle to knock off the Broncos in overtime. Last week, they went on the road and got revenge on the Patriots in the AFC Title Game.

Prediction: As I already eluded to, I believe that the talent, focus, and execution of the football players is what will determine the outcome of this Super Bowl. I am convinced that the 49ers are superior in all three of those categories. The Ravens defense has taken advantage of the predictibility of the offenses they have faced so far in the playoffs. The complexity of the 49ers offense will not allow them to do so. What Kaepernick will do is nearly impossible for a defense to predict. If he throws, he has a stud receiver in Michael Crabtree, a matchup nightmare in tight end Vernon Davis and the still dangerous Randy Moss, who is capable of going deep at any time. The Ravens also have to try and stop the 49ers rushing attack that will feature Kaepernick's cleverness, Frank Gore's bruising attack and LaMichael James' explosive capabilities. That is too much to slow done for an older, worn down defense like the Ravens. The 49ers defense will come up with the big plays needed to take care of the rest. Justin Smith, Aldon Smith and the rest of the front seven will keep Flacco under pressure all night. Patrick Willis is the best defensive player on the field and will prove it with a big play late in the game.

My final prediction is that the 49ers will win Super Bowl XLVII 31-27 over the Ravens.