Baltimore: Ma'ake Kemoeatu, Haloti Ngata, Arthur Jones, Terrence Cody
San Francisco: Issac Sopoaga, Justin Smith, Ray McDonald, Ricky Jean-Francois
2012 Leaders
Baltimore: Haloti Ngata 51 tackles, 5 sacks
San Francisco: Justin Smith 66 tackles, 3 sacks
As stated in the offensive line preview, the battle in the trenches is very intriguing. Both teams have solid offensive lines, but they both have very solid defensive lines as well. The Raven and 49ers employ a 3-4 scheme primarily. Justin Smith and Haloti Ngata are just about the two best 3-4 Defensive Ends you can find in the league. Each has battled the injury bug this year, but are returning to health for the most important game of their lives. They could have a huge impact on Super Bowl XLVII.
Haloti Ngata is a true star in this league. He often gets overlooked because of future Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Ed Reed commanding much of the attention, as well as the brash Terrell Suggs. He should garner a lot more attention though. He can chew u blockers freeing up Suggs and company to get to the QB. He even had five sacks himself on the year. On the other side of the 3-4 alignment is Arthur Jones. Jones is the brother of UFC light heavyweight champion. Arthur would like to become the second champ amongst the family. The man in the middle is Ma'ake Kemoeatu. Kemoeatu lost a lot of weight to get back into the league and steal a starting spot on the Raven D-Line this season.
Joe Flacco wants nothing to do with Justin Smith. Smith is a true force on the D-Line for San Francisco. He has been selected to five straight Pro Bowls. Much like Ngata, Smith is capable of getting to the QB on his own but his specialty is demanding enough attention to allow Aldon Smith to get to the QB. On the opposite end of the line is Ray McDonald. McDonald has come on as the year has progressed and has made plays against the run and pass. Iassac Sopoaga mans the middle of their front. Sopoaga frees up Patrick Willis and Navorro Bowman to be one of the best linebacking duos in the NFL.
These defensive lines have playmakers. The 49ers have an annual Pro Bowler in Justin Smith. Baltimore counters with a five time Pro Bowler of their own with Haloti Ngata. San Francisco has the advantage though. The others surrounding Smith are capable of more damage than those surrounding Ngata. Issac Sopoaga and Ray McDonald are no slouches. I expect the 49ers D-Line to create their own pressure and also open up spots for Aldon Smith and company to put heat on Flacco.
Advantage - San Francisco
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