Uncategorized
Super Bowl XLVII preview
![Avatar photo](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/outlaw-partners-46x46.jpg)
![Avatar photo](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/outlaw-partners-46x46.jpg)
Published
11 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Brandon Niles Explorebigsky.com Sports Columnist
Once again, it’s that special time of year when fans gear up for what has become the biggest sporting event in the country. The Super Bowl this year brings a fresh look at the dominant teams in the NFL. The much-heralded Packers, Patriots, and Broncos couldn’t get it done in the playoffs. Instead, the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers will be the two sides vying for the Lombardi Trophy this year.
The Ravens and 49ers bring with them several interesting storylines. First, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is the older brother of 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh. Both have experienced tremendous success in their positions, not once missing the playoffs in a combined seven seasons. These two almost met in the Super Bowl last year, each team losing in their Conference Championship game in the 2011 playoffs.
Beyond the coaching connection, the quarterbacks represent two starkly contrasting styles and personas. Young and exciting second year player, Colin Kaepernick of the 49ers, represents a new wave of NFL quarterbacks. Kaepernick has a tremendous arm, but is also a dynamic runner operating in a non-traditional offensive system. The 49ers use a lot of read option sets in order to maximize their versatile quarterback’s talents. Should the 49ers prevail, their victory will in many ways legitimize this style of play as a system that can win in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco couldn’t possibly be more traditional a passer. An old-fashioned drop back player, standing tall in the pocket with a rocket arm, Flacco has made many teams suffer from his deep accuracy and his tremendous arm strength. While Flacco has never been known for his consistency, his ability to deliver in clutch situations has become increasingly evident during this season’s playoffs. Flacco is out to prove he has the ability to lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl.
Outside of the quarterback position, these two teams actually share a lot in common. Both are organizations that have built their rosters primarily through the draft, have excellent offensive lines and running games, and are backed by a stout defense. In fact, the Ravens and 49ers in many ways are everything that the new NFL is not. While both have offenses that can be productive, neither is as prolific as other teams often considered elite, such as New England and Green Bay. These two teams have shown that a strong running game and a good defense can still be an effective formula for success in the modern NFL.
The fact that these are two teams that haven’t been to the Super Bowl in a while (Baltimore, 2001; San Francisco, 1995) is exciting to see for fans, especially since this is the first Super Bowl since 2003 that does not feature a Manning, Brady or Roethlisberger. Additionally, the coaching connection, Ray Lewis’ last game as a pro, and all that is at stake for the quarterbacks should make for interesting sub plots in the game.
For the game itself, expect the Ravens to come in prepared for the 49ers offensive scheme after seeing Green Bay fail miserably to contain it three weeks ago. The Ravens have a savvy veteran defense that can contain the edges and use good gap discipline that should help keep Colin Kaepernick and running back Frank Gore in check. The 49ers will need to throw the ball outside and avoid turning the ball over if they are going to win this game.
The 49ers defense will need to take away the deep ball from a Ravens team that has been lethal throwing downfield, and they’ll also need to get pressure on Flacco, who’s had plenty of time in the pocket throughout the playoffs thus far. The 49ers have the personnel to do just that, and will also need linebackers Navorro Bowman and Patrick Willis to remain disciplined enough to stop Ravens running back Ray Rice.
All in all, I think the Ravens do enough on offense to put up 24 points, and I think the Ravens defense should be able to keep the 49ers from matching their point total. I think 24 is the magic number in this game, and holding Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers offense to 20 points seems like a realistic goal.
Final prediction: Ravens over 49ers, 24-20 in a great game.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
![](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ebs_logo_white_220px.png)
![](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ebs_logo_white_220px.png)
Upcoming Events
july, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 - July 31Calling all artists and nature enthusiasts! Get
more
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28
EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 – July 31
Calling all artists and nature
enthusiasts! Get your paintbrushes ready for an unforgettable experience at
Paint Under the Big Sky, a thrilling plein air event set against the stunning
backdrop of Big Sky, MT, Chet Huntley’s “The Last Best Place”. Don’t
miss this chance to unleash your creativity and be part of a vibrant artistic community.
What is Paint Under the Big Sky? PUBS is a plein air event for all painters of any ability (over the age of 16). Sponsored by the Big Sky Artist’s Studio & Gallery and the Big Sky Artists Collective, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster a strong community of artists in the Big Sky area, the paint-out hopes to introduce painters to our extraordinary landscape for an opportunity to create, meet and have fun. Plein air painters record our landscape for generations to come.
Artists are invited to travel to Big
Sky, MT to paint anytime between Jun 1 – 28, and participate in the exhibition
and sale of paintings from June 29 – July 31.
Come join us! We have a great
place to paint and are welcoming and fun!
Don’t miss out!
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 1:00 am - July 31 (Wednesday) 11:55 pm
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice to
invigorate your day of adventure ahead. Complimentary. Weather
permitting.
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 7:00 am - August 31 (Saturday) 7:00 am
Location
Montage Big Sky
995 Settlement Trail
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 10 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 19 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 17 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 26 (Monday) 6:00 pm