By Joe Hernandez, Contributing Editor
2012 Regular Season Record: 10-7-1; 59%
Sunday, February 3, 2013
BALTIMORE (12-4-1) AT SAN FRANCISCO (14-3), 6:30 PM (ET)
JUST THE FACTS
Stadium - Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Capacity - (73,000)
Surface - UBU Speed Series-S5-M
Series Record - Baltimore (3-1)
Series Streak - Baltimore has won the last three meetings
Last Meeting - November 24, 2011 - Baltimore, 16-6 at Baltimore)
Television - CBS
TRENDS, HISTORY AND HINTS
BAL - 13-6 ATS L19 with two weeks of rest... BAL - 8-6 ATS L14 as an
underdog... BAL - 8-10 ATS L18 vs. NFC West... BAL - 5-2 ATS L7 playoff
games... BAL - 2-4 ATS L6 after two or more consecutive wins... BAL - 4-2 to
the UNDER L6 vs. SFX... BAL - 8-3 to the OVER L11 vs. AFC... SFX - 14-6 ATS L20
as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points... SFX - 9-3 ATS L12 vs. AFC... SFX - 6-3
ATS L9 vs. a team with a winning record... SFX - 3-1 ATS L4 vs. AFC North...
SFX - 3-1 ATS L4 playoff games... SFX - 5-0 to the OVER L5... SFX - 15-5 to the
OVER L20 after two weeks rest.
WHO'S HURTIN'
Baltimore - LB Dannell Ellerbe (ankle/back) is questionable. S Ed Reed
(shoulder), WR Anquan Boldin (shoulder), LB Terrell Suggs (Achilles/biceps), CB
Jimmy Smith (abdomen), S Bernard Pollard (chest), LB Ray Lewis (triceps), DT
Terrence Cody (foot), RB Bernard Pierce (knee), TE Dennis Pitta (thigh) and S
James Ihedigbo (knee) are probable.
San Francisco - LB Ahmad Brooks (shoulder), CB Tarell Brown (shoulder) and TE
Garrett Celek (foot) are questionable. RB Frank Gore (ankle/shoulder), LB
Patrick Willis (shoulder), G Mike Iupati (shoulder), NaVorro Bowman (shoulder),
DT Justin Smith (elbow/triceps), LB Aldon Smith (shoulder), LB Clark Haggans
(shoulder) and RB LaMichael James (back) are probable.
GAME ANALYSIS
The Ravens did most their leg work to reach the Super Bowl while playing on the road. After an opening round home win against the Colts, Baltimore posted impressive road wins in Denver (38-35) and then the Patriots (28-13) in the AFC Championship Game. The Ravens are 3-0 ATS this postseason
and averaging 30 points per game. Joe Flacco has been red hot this
postseason, connecting on 55% of his passes for 853 yards and eight TDs with
no INTs. His top targets during this playoff run have been Anquan Boldin (16-276, 3 TDs), Dennis Pitta (10-137, 2 TDs) and Torrey Smith (9-198, 2 TDs).
San Francisco has been every bit as good as the Ravens this postseason,
averaging 36.5 points per game. The 49ers also possess the best playmaker on
either team in Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick has played like he's been here
before, though he's making just his third playoff start and 10th overall. He's
connected on 64% of his passes this postseason for 496 yards, with 3 TDs
and one INT. Kaepernick is also getting it done on the ground as well, rushing
for a total 202 yards and two TDs in the playoffs, including a QB rushing
record, 181 yards in the 49ers Divisional round win over Green Bay.
In what should be a high-scoring game, look for Kaepernick and the 49ers to
keep the Ravens defense off balanced and guessing all night.
SPORTS NETWORK CHOICE: Take San Francisco -3.5 points and the OVER 47.
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