Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) is unable to make the catch on fourth down as Baltimore Ravens free safety Ed Reed (20) defends in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

After a dramatic 17-0 run during the third quarter, the San Francisco 49ers looked to be headed to the greatest comeback in NFL postseason history.

Colin Kaepernick, his many weapons as receiver, and Frank Gore repeatedly propelled the offense down the field in the second half. A resurgent defense also kept the Ravens from matching a sudden outburst from the 49ers’ offense. Where at one point they were down an incredible 22 points, the scoreboard now showed that San Fran was down just two points.

Kaepernick passed for over 300 yards and ran for another 62, with a combined two touchdowns to one interception. Frank Gore ran for 110 yards on 19 attempts and added a touchdown of his own early in the second half.

Even with those impressive stats, the 49ers found themselves behind Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens the entire contest.

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 12, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) passes the ball during the second quarter of the AFC divisional round playoff game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

1. Joe Flacco: Joe Flacco has come on late for the Ravens and their offensive ship either sails or sinks based off of his performance. If the Flacco of the past two playoff games shows up and is able to calm the aggressive 49ers defensive attack, then the Ravens should be in this game down the stretch. There is another Joe Flacco out there, the one the fans and media tend to forget. The Flacco that completes less that 50% of his pass attempts and earns a 0.3 total QBR. For the Ravens to have a chance in this one, that Joe Flacco needs to be as far from the Big Easy as possible.