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| ANALYST | PREDICTIONS | WINNER |
|---|---|---|
Reiss (16-4) |
49ERS 27, RAVENS 24 This pick was made balancing two thoughts -- that the 49ers are the more talented team, but the Ravens have more experienced players at key spots who won't be wowed by the moment. Tough call. In the end, I went with the more talented team. |
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Rodak (15-5) |
49ERS 28, RAVENS 24 Four of the last five Super Bowls have been decided by a touchdown or less, and expect more of the same on Sunday. The edge goes to the 49ers in this one, but it's hardly the defensive contest you'd come to expect with these two teams playing. These playoffs have shown that it takes execution in the fourth quarter, and ultimately in the closing minutes of the game, to win. Until then, just enjoy the commercials. |
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Yates (16-4) |
49ERS 31, RAVENS 28 These aren't just two excellent football teams, they're also playing as well now as they have at any point of the season, something not every Super Bowl participant has been able to say in the past. That makes choosing this one a tough call, but the 49ers have the edge because of the ability of their offensive and defensive lines to overwhelm an opponent. |
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(13-7) |
RAVENS 27, 49ERS 24 In one of the wildest Super Bowl simulations the "Madden" team has ever produced, the Baltimore Ravens jump out to 24-10 lead to end the third quarter, then watch as their defense collapses, enabling the 49ers to comeback and tie the game late. Colin Kaepernick plays brilliantly, throwing for 257 yards, rushing for another 48, and throwing a key touchdown pass to Vernon Davis with just over two minutes remaining to tie the game at 24. But that's when Joe Flacco and crew strike back, driving down field in their two-minute offense, setting rookie kicker Justin Tucker up for the go-ahead 40-yard field goal with only 50 seconds remaining on the clock. Tucker splits the uprights and it looks like the Ravens have everything wrapped up, but Kaepernick leads his team down the field in speedy fashion, launching the ball into the end zone for what looks like the game-winning touchdown, until Ed Reed swoops in from out of nowhere to intercept the ball and seal the three-point Baltimore victory. |
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ESPNexperts |
49ERS OVER RAVENS In a squeaker, 13 ESPN pundits picked the Niners and 12 picked the Ravens. |
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