Super Bowl XLVII Picks

With Super Bowl XLVII kicking off in less than 24 hours, here are picks from four of the writers on Top Shelf:

Kevin Brozek: Ravens 24, 49ers 13 (MVP: Ray Lewis)

Personally, I see this one going to the Ravens, who are led by one of the hungriest players in the game in LB Ray Lewis. As a defensive unit, we have seen the Ravens consistently rally behind their retiring linebacker to the point where they seem unstoppable. The emotional level of the game will certainly affect who will walk away with the trophy. I also believe that offensively, 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick has not been effectively presented with the level of pressure the Super Bowl offers. Ravens QB Joe Flacco is more than ready to prove himself as an elite quarterback, and rise to lead his offense to a strong game. Overall, the Baltimore Ravens are an emotionally supercharged team, ready to rally behind their star linebacker and take it to the 49ers.

Clint Cavey: Ravens 24, 49ers 17 (MVP: Ray Lewis)

Super Bowl XLVII could go down as one of the more interesting Super Bowl to date, if it hasn’t already. For the Ravens to win this game, which I believe they will, it rests on the shoulders of QB Joe Flacco. RB Ray Rice will get around 75 yards on the ground against the brutal Niners defense; Flacco will need to pick apart the same defense over the air if the Ravens are to win. Flacco will outperform his QB counterpart, Colin Kaepernick, whom I predict will make multiple mistakes. With Kaepernick struggling, the 49ers will rely on Gore, who will get around 100 yards. This also relates to kicking field goals, which Akers will miss at least one. The MVP of this game will be Ray Lewis, who in all honestly needs the Ravens to win and only 5 tackles to win this award.

Hunter Kossodo: Ravens 24, 49ers 20 (MVP: Joe Flacco)

Joe Flacco has not thrown a single interception in the postseason. The Baltimore Ravens, known for their stout defense, allowed only 13 points from the New England Patriots and their league-best offense in the AFC Championship Game. On the other side of the ball, the Ravens’ offense has put up 90 points in their three postseason games combined. It seems the entire Ravens team has been playing at another level ever since LB Ray Lewis announced that this would be his final year. The last time the San Francisco 49ers faced a defense this strong, they were on the wrong end of a 42-13 beat down against Seattle. The 49ers are also a well-balanced team and great in all phases of the game like the Ravens, but dual-threat quarterback Colin Kaepernick will find little running room against Terrell Suggs, Lewis and the Ravens defense, forcing him to rely on his arm. Kaepernick is a solid passer, but he hasn’t even started 10 games in his career yet and the stage might be too big for him. Look for Joe Flacco to capture the MVP trophy simply because he has to have an MVP-type performance to beat this vaunted 49ers defense.

Chris Schubert: Ravens 27, 49ers 13 (MVP: Ray Rice)

In a battle of two great defenses, the offensives are going to be a key. Flacco vs. Kaepernick, Rice vs. Gore, and Moss vs. Boldin are the match ups people need to watch for. The big key: getting Ravens RB Ray Rice involved early. He's the key to the offense; his play will dictate the play of Flacco and the rest of the offense. His big day will lead the Ravens to holding up that Lombardi Trophy.