The Chipper’s SUPER BOWL XLVII Top 1 pick:

The two week break is finaly over (just about anyway) when we last enjoyed two pretty entertaining games that left us with the two “teams” that will beat each other to a pulp for the Lombardi Trophy and a claim to be the best team of the 2012 NFL season.  I say “teams” because this, in my opinion, will be a test between two groups of players with no larger than life superstars (except for Randy Moss who this week claimed that he’s the best wide reciever to ever play the game!) that have jelled at the right time of the year.  Both have mojo going and it’s too bad that only one will be able to claim the title.  If this was a seven game series, it would go all the way.  Let’s break down a couple of the major areas of the game and give you my thoughts as to who will have the advantage.

Quarterback:

This comes down to two things in my book:  1.  Colin Kaepernick is an incredibly talented athlete who, as time passes, will eventually become a pretty good QB by staying in the pocket.  As long as he doesn’t suffer a shoulder injury, this kid will go a long way and SF will be an upper level team for years.  Alex Smith will be gone next year so there won’t be any QB controvery. But, for now, he’s inexperienced and I don’t believe that because of the last two games, he will bounce back from a mistake (and he will make one) at this level of pressure. He’s still a young kid and Baltimore will figure out a way to contain him.  2.  Joe Flacco has a crap lode more experience under his belt and he’s been to the low’s that a pro QB can suffer and that’s why he and the Ravens are on a role.  He’s thrown for 8 TD’s and no picks in the playoffs because he’s being patient (and has been a little lucky…watch the Denver game replay) and is letting the game come to him.  They both have rockets for arms but because the kid will be a littly nervous, he’s going to throw some high passes in the beginning and that will put the 49ers in an early hole.  Besides, he was focused on trademarking “Kaepernicking”.  Kiss this Colin…

Advantage:  Flacco

Running Game:

There’s little to debate in this category.  Both teams have an incredibly talented starting backfield.  The difference is the backups.  Bernard Pierce, a rookie from Temple, runs like he’s Robert Smith (Vikings star) and has the power of the Nigerian Nightmare – Christian Okoye (KC lore) and that means very little drop off when he spells Ray Rice.  Rice seems to have cured his fumbling problems.  For SF, Frank Gore is the real deal.  He may be slowing down some, but has played through the slump of the middle of the season and is every bit as productive of late as Ray Rice.  LeMichael James and Kendall Hunter are a great pair of backups that give SF a different look to take advantage of an aging Raven D.

Advantage:  Even

Offense vs. Deffense:

This is another area of the game that both teams have strength in various places that can turn the game.  The Ravens have a wildly experienced pack of players and we all know the stories.  Ed Reed is the thief in the backfield always watching the QB eyes and jumps ahead of the throw to stop a big drive when needed.  Suggs, Lewis, Ellerbe and Kruger are playing like they’re only 28 years old apiece and something is helping them overcome these road games.  The magic will continue for the Ravens on the D side.  If it wasn’t for the injury to SF’s Dustin Smith, I’d give the overall edge to SF’s D over Baltimore’s offense but that injury has brought the D line back to earth the last month as Aldon Smith has disappeared in the sack world.  Because of that, the Ravens O line will have the advantage and control the clock, with superior protection for Flacco and generating the running game that will keep the ball out of Kaepernicks hands just enough.  This may change the game plan for SF and force the 49ers into more of a passing game than they expect.  SF has more than their share of quality recievers with Crabtree, Davis and yes, Randy Moss.  Keep an eye on him as he may just be riding off into the sunset with an MVP perforance.  The Ravens can stack up their receiving corp with anyone in the league.  Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin are threats anywhere at anytime on the field with Dennis Pitta being a reliable outlet.  Ray Rice can catch a pass as well as any back.

Advantage:  Ravens

What’s going to happen:

Folks, this is going to be a close one.  You should put some cabbage on one of the kickers being the games MVP…..NOT!!!  It will go to the wire and possibly be the 1st Super Bowl to go to OT!  the Brothers Harbough will try to out smart each other but it’s gonna come down to the turnovers and penalties.  Overall, the Ravens have the experience and Flacco has the patience to get the job done, so here it is:

Prediction:   Ravens 27  49ers 21

Make some guacamole and sit down to enjoy this gem!  They don’t come around very often.