It shaped up as a blowout in favor of the Baltimore Ravens, Joe Flacco carved up the 49ers defense for 3 touchdowns in the first half. The 49ers were only able to muster two field goals from David Akers. The offense was stagnant, and the defense was confused and things were shaping up in exactly the wrong way. Then came halftime.
Beyonce rocked the SuperDome for 20 minutes or so, and things continued in much the same way as the second half got under way. The kickoff went to Jacoby Jones at the back of the end zone, and he promptly and boldly took the ball out and ran straight through the 49ers special teams unit for what was originally ruled a 109 yard NFL record tying touchdown return. It was later adjusted to simply a postseason record 108 yard return. It was 28-6 early in the 3rd quarter and at this point the second half appeared to be nothing but a coronation for the Baltimore Ravens.
Then the lights went out.
Much like they did last season on a Monday night game at Candlestick Park, the lights stayed out for an extended period of time. Thirty-four minutes to be exact. And from that moment on the game changed drastically. The Ravens looked confused, and the 49ers were determined to get back in this game. And that they did. After punting the ball to the Ravens, the 49ers defense got a huge stop and got the ball back. Colin Kaepernick marched the team 80 yards down the field and capped the drive off with a 31 yard touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree. A three and out from the Ravens, and a 32 yard punt return by Ted Ginn, Jr. put the 49ers in great field position once again. Two plays later Frank Gore ran the ball into the end zone for another touchdown. Things were getting real interesting now at 28-20 in favor of the Ravens.
The following possession saw the Ravens commit their first turnover of the game when Tarrell Brown punched the ball free from the clutches of Ray Rice and recovered the ball at the Ravens’ 24 yard line. The 49ers couldn’t capitalize and take the lead, settling for a David Akers field goal (After Akers missed the first attempt but got a do-over after a running into the kicker penalty). The Ravens were able to tack on a Justin Tucker field goal to put the game at 31-23. The 49ers were able to respond quickly when Colin Kaepernick scrambled for a 15 yard touchdown (Followed by a little “Kaepernicking” session), but the 2-point conversion failed and the 49ers remained 2 points behind at 31-29.
The Ravens would add yet another field goal to put the game at 34-29, but time was running out quickly. The 49ers got real close on the heels of a 33 yard run by Frank Gore, but couldn’t punch the ball in from the 5 yard line, burning a timeout in the process to avoid a delay of game penalty. The Ravens would be able to run out the bulk of the clock, needing a 1st down to seal the game, they wouldn’t get it. But punter Sam Koch, kicking from his own end zone would catch the snap and scamper around, burning valuable seconds off the clock before taking a safety. There were 4 seconds left and the last chance for the 49ers would come on a free kick to Ted Ginn. He’d deliver an admirable return, but would be brought down after time expired to send the Ravens sideline into a joyous frenzy.
Colin Kaepernick would finish with 302 yards passing on 16 of 28 passes, he did throw one interception to safety Ed Reed, and he also rushed 7 times for 62 yards and a touchdown. Vernon Davis caught 6 passes for 104 yards, and Michael Crabtree caught 5 for 109 yards and a touchdown, Delanie Walker and Randy Moss each caught 3 passes from Kaepernick as well. Frank Gore ran 19 times for 110 yards and a touchdown, while LaMichael James touched the ball 3 times for just 10 yards. Ray McDonald and Ahmad Brooks each were able to record sacks against Joe Flacco.
So Ray Lewis goes out on top, and the 49ers “Quest for Six” falls just short of completion. This will likely spell the end of Alex Smith in a 49ers uniform, and the beginning of a new era in San Francisco. They’ll be on the same path next season, Super Bowl or bust.
