Dec 16, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison (92) in action against Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith (77) at Cowboys Stadium. The Cowboys beat the Steelers 27-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison  is willing to restructure his contract, but won’t be taking a pay cut. The 35-year-old linebacker is under contract next year for $6.57 million, and that is too much for the salary cap-strapped Steelers to pay, and his days in Pittsburgh appear numbered. 

Harrison has had surgeries on his knee and back over the last two years. He’s missed eight games total and notched just 15 sacks over that span. The former Defensive Player of the Year would be a quality pickup for any team in need of a veteran pass-rusher, but he want be able to command the kind of salary he’s currently making. The Steelers don’t seem to have a replacement behind Harrison, as neither Jason Worilds or Chris Carter have shown they’re ready to take over. Perhaps a compromise between the two sides can be reached. 

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

In the darkness on the field, Ray Lewis’ last ride looked all but guaranteed to end with a Lombardi Trophy. And even though the Baltimore Ravens held on to win 34-31, the San Francisco 49ers made it a game to remember outside of the electrical failures.

As the New Orleans Superdome descended into darkness, it appeared that what appeared to be one of the most interesting Super Bowl matchups in years was actually turning into a Ravens romp. After an emotional singing of “God Bless America” by students from Sandy Hook Elementary, the most emotional man in football’s team was leading 28-6.

Joe Flacco earned Super Bowl MVP honors by turning in a 22-37 performance for 287 yards and 3 TDs, all while managing to elude an almost-constant pass rush while only being sacked twice. Although Jim Caldwell’s offense was expected to try to wear the 49ers down physically to set up the pass, much like they did throughout the playoffs, the Ravens scored their first touchdown on a 13-yard seam route to Anquan Boldin in a 5-wide formation to take advantage of the 49ers’ reluctance to leave their base defense.

Colin Kaepernick began the game looking hesitant, as would be expected by a quarterback making only his tenth career start, but took the 49ers down the field on the second possession by finding Michael Crabtree and feeding Frank Gore. A Paul Kruger sack stalled the drive, and San Francisco settled for a field goal to make the score 7-3.

On the ensuing possession, Flacco managed to dodge Ahmad Brooks multiple times until Ray McDonald finally sacked him on third down to knock the Ravens out of field goal range. But the 49ers were unable to capitalize due to a fumble caused by Courtney Upshaw while rookie running back LaMichael James tried to extend a doomed running play.

Ravens power-back Bernard Pierce powered the Ravens down the field and then Flacco found tight end Dennis Dixon for 23 yards on a crossing route underneath four verticals that created space against the 49ers quarters coverage. Then Flacco faked a handoff to Ray Rice, drawing down linebacker Navarro Bowman to open up tight end Dennis Pitta on the seam route for a touchdown to extend the lead to 14-3.

On the first play of the next drive, Kapernick tried to force a throw to Randy Moss on a deep-in route, but overthrew the ball while trying to squeeze it into triple coverage and Ed Reed came down with the interception. Again, the Ravens came out pounding the ball down the field with Bernard Pierce but faced a fourth down and long in the red zone and were forced to try a field goal.

But John Harbaugh, himself a former special teams coordinator, dialed up a fake field goal. Ravens kicker Justin Tucker took the direct snap and took off to the left. A Dixon block almost sprang Tucker, but he came up just a foot short of the first down.

With his back up against the wall, deep in his own territory, Kaepernick continued to look uncomfortable in the pocket and hesitant to pull the trigger. Moss ran a comeback route at the first down marker on second down, and the ball was late coming out. Instead of fighting for the ball, Moss waited for it to arrive, allowing cornerback Carey Williams to almost come up with another Baltimore interception. Jim Harbaugh decided to run on third down and play it safe, and the 49ers again punted.

Jan 29, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) addresses the press during media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

As has been stated ad hominem in the build up to the Super Bowl, the game features to very evenly matched teams in the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers. Both offer a variety of strengths that can be used very opportunistically against the other teams’ weaknesses.

Sitting down with a pile of wings, chips, Rotel, cold beverages and the always-present giant sub, here are the match-ups to look for when explaining everything to your friend whose only NFL experience is watching the big game while waiting for the buzz-worthy commercials and Destiny’s Child reunion.

When the Ravens Have the Ball

Joe Flacco has piles of playoff experience, but this is far and away his best postseason performance. He has yet to throw an interception in the tournament, and on the season he has 15 touchdowns and no interceptions on passes that travel over 20 yards in the air.

What has made him such an efficient passer during the playoffs? New offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell has implemented the balance that most coordinators barely give lip service. He runs to set up the pass, setting up defenses to aggressively attack downhill. Out of three playoff games, the Ravens have attempted more passes than runs only once.

By inserting their mercurial former Pro Bowler, Bryant McKinnie, back in the starting lineup, the Ravens were able to move Michael Oher to the strong side of the formation, where he is a more natural fit. The Ravens’ offensive line has played as well as almost any unit except the 49ers during their postseason run, but they will have to face a stout 49ers defensive front.