Super Bowl Sunday

We are just an hour away from the biggest sporting event in North America: Super Bowl 47. Although I am upset that my New England Patriots fell short of making it back to the big game, I can't help but be excited about this matchup. Who could write a better script, a battle between two brothers each coaching in their first ever Super Bowl, both know for their defense. Defense, however, has not been the reason these two teams have made it all the way to New Orleans. It has been the impressive play of two young quarterbacks that has led each to one victory after another on their playoff runs. Joe Flacco has been in the league for only five years, but he has led the Ravens into the playoffs each year. This years playoffs have been different, however, as he has thrown for eight touchdowns compared to zero interceptions. Unlike past seasons, Flacco is protecting the ball a little better and throwing it down field with an increased confidence. 

On the other side we see a man who has only made ten career starts to this point, and in the process has taken the league by storm. Colin Kaepernick took over the 49ers starting job late in the season, and with it changed the way some offensive coordinators may look at their own play books. The pistol offense is now the main formation that San Francisco runs, and it has been surprisingly affective. Kaepernick started off the playoffs by tearing apart the Green Bay Packers defense, then went to Atlanta and led his team to an impressive comeback win on the road. 

Now although the quarterback matchup is an interesting one, the most intriguing part of this years Super Bowl is presence of Ray Lewis. He is, as many know, planning on retiring after the game and if he is to end his career on top it may be one of the more inspiring runs by a single player in recent history. After tearing his tricep many thought that he was out for the season, but he returned for his final home game in the wild card matchup with the Colts, and has since rejuvenated a veteran defense. He leads all players in both tackles and inspirational speeches this postseason, and he hopes to hold that Lombardi trophy when it is all said and done at the end of the night.