49ERS 28, FALCONS 24
Meanwhile on the west coast, Jim's Niners couldn't hold a 14-10 lead over the New York Giants thanks in part to two fumbles on special teams that cost San Francisco a chance at the Bowl. New York went on to win the world championship two weeks later.
This time the Harbaugh's got the second chance they wanted and as a result both will square off against one another in Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans in two weeks.
Both the 49ers and Ravens used their overpowering physical style of play dicate the second half of each game, as both erased halftime deficits to win big in the end, outscoring the Falcons and Patriots by a combined score of 35-0 in the second half.
In Atlanta, the 49ers found themselves down 17-0 midway through the second quarter thanks to a sizzling start by Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense. Ryan led Atlanta to scores on each of their first three possessions, tearing up the Niners vaunted secondary with touchdown passes of 46-yards and 20-yards, respectively.
Yet somehow, San Francisco fought back. Colin Kapernick who had only 1-yard passing through the first quarter caught fire when San Fran. needed him to pick it up the most. He orchistrated an 11 play 85-yard drive, highlighted by a 27-yard completion to tight end Vernon Davis to move the ball to the Atlanta 15. Two plays later, Kapernick pitched it to running back LeMichael James who walked untouched into the end zone to make it 17-7.
Fast forward to the fourth quarter and things got really interesting. With Atlanta holding on to a 24-21 lead, San Francisco consistently knocked on the door, and twice had the the door close on them. First David Akers missed a field goal that would have tied the game as the third quarter closed.
After Matt Ryan was picked off on Atlanta's next possession, the Niners once again had a chance to either tie or take the lead. But, a fumble by Michael Crabtree at the Falcons 1-yard line denied San Francisco once again.
Give kudos to the 49ers defense for holding the line at this point. They forced Ryan in a fumble with Atlanta driving in the fourth quarter, and forced the Falcons into a three-and-out in a crucial situation after the Crabtree fumble. This unit totally dominated the game in the second half; Atlanta was helpless.
Frank Gore took over at this point, rushing for 18 yards on three carries, including a nine-yard touchdown to put the 49ers in front for good, 28-24. The Niners defense did the rest knocking down a Ryan fourth down pass at the SF five-yard line to ice it.
Meanwhile in New England, the Ravens came back from a 13-7 deficit at halftime, as they dominated the Patriots in the second half, outscoring them 21-0 en route to a 28-13 victory.
The Ravens didn't look too good in the first half; they looked a little dazed and tired from their marathon a week ago in Denver, as Tom Brady picked apart the Ravens secondary with percise first down throws to Aaron Hernandez, Wes Welker and Danny Woodhead. However, when the Patriots had the chance to put the Ravens away they couldn't do it.
The Patriots faced a third-and-two at the Ravens 12, but failed to convert the down, forcing New England to settle for a field goal and a 3-0 lead. Later in the first half, with New England up 10-7, the Patriots drove deep into Baltimore territory, but were turned away when Brady couldn't find an open man in the end zone as the half neared a close. New England had to again settle for a field goal before halftime to make it 13-7.
However, the biggest momentum changing play of the game involved Wes Welker. Welker drew a lot of criticism for his dropped pass against the Giants last year in the Super Bowl. Once again, the typically sure-handed receiver had a case of the drops. On third-and-eight at the Baltimore 34, Brady found Welker wide open for a first down on a drive that looked destined for a Patriots score, but Welker dropped the pass, forcing New England to punt.
The Ravens cashed in on that opportunity as Joe Flacco led a crisp 10 play, 87-yard drive that ended with a Ravens touchdown. Flacco was Joe Cool completing six of eight passes in the shotgun formation, including a 5-yard touchdown pass to Dennis Pitta to give the Ravens a 14-13 lead.
After a Patriots three-and-out, the Ravens once again stuck it in in the end zone on a lengthy drive led by Flacco. First Flacco found Torrey Smith for 23-yards to the Patriots 44. After some shifty running by Bernard Pierce, Flacco hit Pitta and Anquan Boldin for 14 total yards to the Patriots five. Finally, Flacco found Boldin in the back of the end zone for the score.
Seeing the game was getting out of hand, the Patriots needed to score on their next possession to quell the Ravens momentum, but a fumble by Steven Ridely killed any hope for the Pats.Flacco went right to work. He connected with Smith for 16-yards, then scrambled for 14 more to the Patriots 17-yard line. Two plays later, Flacco found Boldin again in the back of the end zone for the touchdown to make it 28-13 Ravens.
The Patriots and their fans were in total shock. Brady tried to lead New England back, but he was picked off twice, including one in the Ravens end zone to ice the contest for Baltimore. Sweet revenge for the Ravens.
The Ravens and 49ers Super Bowl match-up is the first time that two brothers will square off as head coaches in NFL history. It will also be the second Super Bowl appearance for Ray Lewis and the Ravens. Baltimore beat the Giants 34-7 in Super Bowl XXXV. Joe Flacco is 8-4 in the playoffs with six win on the road, the most by a QB in NFL history. San Francisco is in its sixth Super Bowl, where they are 5-0 all time. The last time the 49ers were in the big game, they blew out the San Diego Chargers 49-26 in Super Bowl XXIX, when Steve Young threw six touchdown passes. This is going to be great. Can't wait for the Big Game!!
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