On Sunday, hours after Jim guided the 49ers to their first NFC championship in 18 years, John led the Baltimore Ravens past the host New England Patriots for the AFC’s berth in the Feb. 3 Super Bowl.
Some media outlets are calling this ultimate NFL game “Har-bowl.” Other headline writers went with, “Harbaugh brothers to battle for their parents’ love in the Super Bowl.”
The Ravens return to the Super Bowl for the first since 1992, having defeated the New York Giants 34-7 in Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa, Fla.
Beyond the Harbaugh storyline, another key focus to this Super Bowl is Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis’ final NFL season. It will conclude in two weeks in New Orleans, no matter the result.
The Ravens won on stagnant defense and high-powered offense. Joe Flacco outbattled Tom Brady, “throwing three touchdown passes in the second half and leading the Baltimore Ravens to their first Super Bowl in 12 years with a 28-13 victory over the New England Patriots,” as NFL.com writes.
While CBS gave Flacco Player of the Game honours, wide receiver Boldin was “a red zone monster in the fourth quarter,” as ESPN describes him. He notched two touchdowns and has scored five touchdowns in seven postseason games for the Ravens. Also, as ESPN notes, “the defense came up with three clutch turnovers to deliver another big upset.”
Earlier Sunday, the 49ers shut out the Falcons in the second half – just like the Ravens did to the Patriots – to edge out a 28-24 win. SF running back Gore scored a pair of touchdowns, including the winner with 8:23 remaining for San Francisco’s first lead of the day.
Overcoming a 17-0 deficit, the 49ers pulled off the biggest comeback victory in an NFC championship game, according to this report. “The previous NFC record was 13 points – Atlanta’s victory over Minnesota in the 1999 title game, which sent the Falcons to what remains the only Super Bowl in franchise history.”
Super Bowl 47 takes place in New Orleans on Feb. 3, 6 p.m. ET.
