Speaking of performances, I know I wasn't the only dude mesmerized at halftime. Lord please forgive me for my thoughts, but after Beyonce's performance I was left agape and the only suitable response was to do my best interpretation of Johnny Gill (my, my, my....my, my, my) . But let's focus on the football aspect in New Orleans before I ramble on about looking on Ebay for a multiple image projector of Beyonce. "I don't think you're ready for this...."
By now, I'm sure you're heard and read it all about about why the Ravens won or how beneficial the blackout was to the game. So instead of giving you a full-game analysis, I'd like to review over the 49ers last drive-- more specifically, their final four plays. But before I delve into the Ravens goal-line stand, let's clear the airways regarding this power outage.
The prolonged halftime delay DID NOT alter the Baltimore Ravens 22-point lead. No matter how you spin it, a 22-point deficit is still a commanding three score lead. I'll settle for someone saying Baltimore lost a diminutive amount of momentum, but on the nation's biggest sporting stage, a team doesn't deserve to win if they squander that big of a lead. This is America's most watched game of the year with players competing on the highest level on the biggest platform. If that's not enough incentive, then what is.
Furthermore, when the power was restored, the Ravens stopped TE Delanie Walker short of the first down and forced a punt. So this whole postulation that the 49ers would of have been blown out if the blackout never occurred is asinine. The Ravens were fully aware how explosive San Fran is. Scoring 17 points in the span of four minutes didn't provide some esoteric sense of elation for the Niners. They overcame a similar deficit in the NFC Championship to Atlanta and have verified their offense is volatile and can get clicking in the matter of one second.
Moving forward, San Francsico's comeback effort was remarkable, but ultimately fell short due to their loss of identity in the redzone on the final drive.
Mistake number one took place when Frank Gore did not receive any carries at the goal-line. Soon after a Vernon Davis drop, Gore propelled the Niners inside the 10 with a 33-yard run. San Fran's DNA has notoriously been to pound the ball inside. When the game was on the line, bread and butter is always the way to go. Gore finished with over 100 yards and a score; the least you could do is give the rock once to all your all-time leading rusher.
Staying on the topic of the run game, I find it hard to believe the Niners offensive coordinator, Greg Roman, couldn't dial up a running play for the Colin Kapernick. Kaepernick only needs but so much room to take off. If he didn't score, he certainly would of gained some positive yardage. Football is a game of inches, and a yard of two could have changed the whole dynamic of the situation.
And for my final blunder with the Niners' redzone play-calling, I shift my undivided attention to Vernon Davis. No targets for your best receiver when it comes to size, speed and strength is beyond belief. Tight ends are quarterbacks best friend, especially in goal-line situations. Davis did have a costly drop that could of changed the outcome of the game, but ultimately the Niners still marched down. Davis is a flat out game-changer. It is imperative that he is targeted in scenarios like this.
Credit must be given where it is due as well. The Ravens never teetered on their blitz pressure and brought the house on both the two point conversion play and final 49er redzone snap. Baltimore stood by their code, and their relentless pressure on two huge plays ushered them to hosting the Lombardi trophy.
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