Ravens Win Super Bowl

The Baltimore Ravens became the NFL champions last night (February 3rd) in one of the most exciting Super Bowls ever, holding on to pull out a 34-31 win in Super Bowl 47 after a game that was on its way to being a Ravens blowout suddenly had a big momentum swing after the lights went out in New Orleans’ Superdome early in the third quarter, with the San Francisco 49ers almost managing a stunning comeback. The Ravens dominated the first half of the game, scoring three times as Joe Flacco became only the sixth quarterback in Super Bowl history to throw for three touchdowns in the first half. Baltimore kept up the pressure on the first play of the second half, when New Orleans native Jacoby Jones had a 108-yard kickoff return on the first play to tie the all-time NFL record, and give the Ravens a 28-6 lead. But it was soon after that, just about five minutes later, when most of the Superdome lights went out, along with the scoreboard, with auxiliary power keeping the stadium from going totally dark. It took 34 minutes before full power was restored and all the lights went back on, and when the teams took to the field again, the momentum shifted. Before the third quarter was over, the 49ers had scored two touchdowns and a field goal, and the teams headed to the final quarter with San Francisco down just 28-23. The Ravens started the fourth with a field goal, but the 49ers countered with a 15-yard touchdown run by quarterback Colin Kaepernick — followed by his trademark biceps kiss — the longest TD run by a quarterback ever in the Super Bowl. That brought San Francisco within 2, with the score at 31-29, but a two-point conversion pass attempt failed. The Ravens added another field goal, to up the score to 34-29. San Francisco had a final chance, getting to 1st and goal and its four attempts within 10 yards of the Baltimore goal line, but couldn’t convert, as the Ravens mounted a goal line stand. With just seconds left in the game, Baltimore punter Sam Koch took a safety for the final score.