Super Bowl pits evenly matched foes

I don’t know if you guys heard this yet or not, but there’s apparently this big football game coming up on Sunday in New Orleans.

I don’t know the specifics, but I heard something like one team has this massive linebacker who is a lunatic – like always crying on the field and stuff.

This is also supposedly his last game, too.

On the other side of the field, I’m told these other guys have a quarterback with sleeve tattoos. Who has ever heard of such a thing?

And get this – rumor has it the two opposing coaches are brothers.

You heard that here first!

OK, lame jokes and sarcasm aside, I’m incredibly excited for this year’s Super Bowl.

The reason is because I truly have no idea how the cookie can crumble.

I wouldn’t be surprised of any outcome in the game. I can conceivably see both teams winning, and no margin of victory would surprise me in either direction.

But I’m not here to be indecisive, so it’s time to get to the bottom line and lay out the keys to success for both teams.

Here are a few things to look for when watching Sunday’s big game in the Big Easy.

The 49ers will win if:

Colin Kaepernick protects the football

The Ravens’ defense is good against stationary quarterbacks. That’s why they were able to do such a good job against Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady so far this postseason. But mobile threats are a bit more challenging to Ray Lewis and Co. Colin Kaepernick is in line to have a big day Sunday – all of the ducks align in his favor. But the second-year quarterback is very inexperienced and has never played on this big a stage in his entire career. If he protects the football, the sky is the limit. If not, Baltimore can maybe steal some cheap points off careless turnovers. No matter how the cookie is crumbled, Kaepernick’s performance – both good or bad will decide the outcome of the game.

Ray Rice is kept under control

Joe Flacco is getting the lion’s share of the credit for the Ravens. Rightfully so – he’s been fantastic. But the Ravens’ offense is still at its peak production when Ray Rice is the focal point of the unit. Rice rushed for 1,143 yards and nine touchdowns this season – his fourth-straight season eclipsing the 1,000-yard threshold. In the postseason, Rice hasn’t had as much success. He struggled against both the Colts and Patriots. But make no mistake about it – a large part of the team’s throwing prowess is because Rice is getting the attention of the defense.

David Akers is kept off the field

49ers kicker David Akers is a mess. One season after posting a history 44-of-52 season, Akers has been awful in 2012-13, hitting just 69 percent of his kicks. The start of the postseason has done little to rejuvenate the struggling kicker, who missed a chip-shot in the NFC Championship game against Atlanta – a miss that’s even more unimpressive when one considers that the Falcons play inside a dome. For the 49ers to win, they will have to make the most of all of their scoring chances. Right now, the best way to do that is to keep Akers off the field. That means red zone efficiency and third down success will be of utmost importance. Even the shortest field goal is an adventure.

The Ravens will win if:

Torrey Smith successfully stretches the field

The 49ers’ defense is difficult to penetrate. Marching the football down the field in 12-14-play drives is incredibly difficult. With that said, the easiest way to get from Point A to Point B is in large chunks. For Baltimore to do that, Torrey Smith is the answer. The young wide receiver is pretty much Baltimore’s only home run hitter on the offensive side of the football. His presence alone allows the other receivers in the offense to get favorable coverage matchups. If Flacco and Smith are able to connect a few times, the Ravens’ path to the Lombardi Trophy will be much more feasible.

Ray Lewis saves his best for last

Against an offense that will utilize a lot of zone read plays, linebacker play will be of utmost importance for the Ravens. Yes, that means Ray Lewis will have to be huge in the final game of his career. Lewis has been nothing short of phenomenal since returning early from his biceps injury. The Hall of Fame linebacker has posted 44 tackles in three playoff games, including a 17-tackle gem against the Broncos in the Divisional Round. Lewis will have to guess right against the read option if he wants to have a similar level of output in the final game of his career. I wouldn’t doubt anything Lewis does at this point, so expect another big day.

Joe Flacco remains flawless

Often criticized for his poor play in the playoffs, Flacco has been fantastic in the playoffs. The quarterback has tossed eight touchdowns and no interceptions this playoffs, while slinging for 284.3 yards per game. But the 49ers’ defense is by far the best the Ravens have faced so far this postseason. If Flacco performs this well again, he may be holding an MVP Trophy and a Lombardi Trophy. There is no plausible path to victory for Baltimore if Flacco doesn’t play an above-average game.

So, now, it’s the hard part – making a prediction.

Honestly, I believe that the 49ers are the most complete team in the NFL. I’ve believed that since Week 1 when they dismantled the Green Bay Packers.

But after seeing the Ravens beat the Broncos and Patriots on the road in consecutive weeks, one just has to wonder if they are this year’s team of destiny.

Talent is a hard thing to pick against, but I’m afraid I’ll have to go that route this time and pick Lewis and the Ravens in a thriller. I think both teams will hold leads in the game, but Baltimore will score the last blow. So let’s go with this score:

Baltimore 28

San Fran 24

Flacco to Dennis Pitta with less than a minute to play to seal the victory.

The 49ers threaten late, but Lewis’ defense makes one last stand to seal the deal.

Akers will miss a costly field goal early in the game that will shake the 49ers’ confidence.