Super Bowl XLVII: Golden Gate Sports Predicts the Winner
By Eric He
Feb 1, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; General view of the Super Bowl XLVII roman numerals on a barge on the Mississippi River at Woldenberg Park with Crescent City Connection bridge (Greater New Orleans bridge) as a backdrop in advance of Super Bowl XLVII between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Who’s ready for the Super Bowl?
The 49ers and the Ravens will square off for all the marbles this afternoon, and what better way to get ready for the game than right here on Fansided?
Here is our massive prediction piece, with writers at Golden Gate Sports chiming in on who they think will win. The answer may or may not surprise you, but you’ve got to read to find out!
Super Bowl XLVII: San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens
Where: Mercedes Benz Superdome, New Orleans
Kickoff: 3:30 PM (PT)
Betting Odds: San Francisco -4.0, Over/Under 47.5
Predictions From the Staff at Golden Gate Sports
Robert Carter, Senior Staff Writer:
"Niners 34, Ravens 24: The Niners have too many weapons on offense for the Ravens to focus on stopping. This will also be the best defense that Baltimore has faced in the playoffs, so look for regression from Joe Flacco."
Greg Nguyen, Senior Staff Writer:
"49ers 31, Ravens 24: With it being Ray Lewis’ final game, he will be the sentimental favorite, but age and the 49ers’ explosive offense is too much to contain. Flacco is solid, but the 49ers have too many weapons, so he won’t be as effective with the Ravens playing from behind. Kaepernick will win it with his legs and big arm."
Darren Nelson, Contributor:
"Ravens 24, 49ers 17: The Ravens defense makes two key turnovers, making a short field for Flacco each time. The 49ers start strong, but the Ravens defense adjusts and shuts down Kaepernick."
David Figueroa, Staff Writer:
"49ers 32, Ravens 28: I have no dog in the fight, the Niners are just a better team from top to bottom. With the way the Niners have made comebacks throughout the playoffs the same will happen on Sunday."
Tej Kamaraju, Senior Staff Writer:
"49ers 27, Ravens 23: Yes, the Ravens are a very good team, but the young energy that Kaepernick brings to the table is too much to deal with."
Baily Deeter, Contributor:
"49ers 28, Ravens 24: San Francisco is the better, more explosive team, and too much will be on Flacco’s shoulders. Gore has a big day and San Francisco wins."
Jake Dal Porto, Assistant Editor:
"49ers 21, Ravens 14: The 49ers’ defense will be too much for Joe Flacco to handle, while the Ravens’ defense won’t have a successful plan of attack to stop the Niners’ read option set."
Mike Springer, Staff Writer:
"49ers 27, Ravens 21: No more than 14 points scored in first half by either team, leads to an emphasis on offense in second half where Kaepernick outshines Flacco."
Danny Saeed, Staff Wrtier:
"49ers 23, Ravens 20: Niners are the better overall team. More complete, more weapons on offense and defense. I trust their coaching more than Baltimore’s, particularly Jim Harbaugh over John."
Ryan Sakamoto, Senior Staff Writer:
"49ers 24, Ravens 20: The game will be close through the first three quarters, with the Ravens possibly winning up until that point, but as the fourth quarter comes to fruition, look for the 49ers to respond and eventually pull away midway through the fourth."
Anthony DiMuro, Staff Writer:
"Ravens 17, 49ers 14: Both teams’ strengths lie in their defenses. That, combined with the importance of the game should provide for a lower scoring game. The Ravens have been surprising everyone these last few weeks so why should the Superbowl be any different?"
Aaron Candelaria, Senior Staff Writer:
"Ravens 27, 49ers 24: I hate to admit it, but as a 49ers fan I’m scared for the first time this post-season. Their weakness on defense in my opinion is their defensive backfield which has looked like swiss-cheese at times back there. With Flacco’s ability to throw deep, and he does it often, the game could get ugly. And while we’ve seen the 49ers come back before, they aren’t playing against a Falcons team who chokes away leads in the second half of games. Plus the Ravens have some guy named Ray Lewis in his last game ever."
Who Wins?
Of the 12 writers surveyed, nine (75 percent) picked the Niners to win, while three (25 percent) chose the Ravens.
Answer: SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
By How Much?
After adding up and dividing the point-differential, it looks as if the gamblers are slightly off. This will be a tight and entertaining game.
Answer: 49ERS BY 3