The Baltimore Ravens are making their second Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. They defeated the NYG, 34-7 in SB XXXV.
The Ravens (.650, 13-7) have the highest postseason win percentage of any team.
Four players on the Ravens' active roster have played in a Super Bowl, Ray Lewis, Anquan Boldin, Brendon Ayanbadejo and James Ihedigbo.
Joe Flacco, who needs to have a monster game vs the 49ers if Baltimore is going to win, is the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win a postseason game in each of his first five seasons. Including the postseason, Baltimore is 32-3 (.914) when Flacco has a 100+ passer rating.
Ray Rice, who is not getting a lot of attention at the super bowl, is averaging 105.3 scrimmage yards per game in 2012 postseason. Here is a key stat Rice led AFC running backs with 61 catches in 2012.
The Ravens defense has forced 8 turnovers (5 INTs, 3 fumbles) in 3 postseason games in '12. Ray Lewis has a NFL-best 44 tackles in 2012 playoffs.
The 49er defense is the key on Sunday. The Niners led the NFL in fewest yards after contact allowed for a second straight year in 2012, allowing just 909 rushing and receiving yards after contact (56.8 per game).
San Fran has allowed only three touchdown passes against them this season on throws that traveled at least 21 yards in the air, tied for the second-fewest in the NFL.
The 49ers finished second in the league in scoring defense in 2012, allowing 17.1 points per game. That is 10 spots better than the Ravens' defense.
I like the Ravens 28-24
