Baltimore: Cary Williams, Corey Graham, Jimmy Smith, Ed Reed, Bernard Pollard
San Francisco: Tarell Brown, Carlos Rogers, Chris Culliver, Dashon Goldson, Donte Whitner
2012 Leaders
Baltimore: Cary Williams 75 tackles, 4 INT
San Francisco: Dashon Goldson 69 tackles, 3 INT
These secondaries have been on the opposite end of the spectrum throughout the season. San Francisco's has been a top notch unit all season. They've gotten consistent play out of their corners, and All-Pro play out of their safeties. Baltimore's group has been battered and bruised all season, and had inconsistent play because of it.
Baltimore's secondary was ravaged by injury this year. Their best cover man, Ladarius Webb, was lost for the year. Their second best cover man, Jimmy Smith, has been injured as well. Smith is expected back for the Super Bowl, however. In their place, Cary Williams and Corey Graham were asked to step up. Williams was a nice contributor during the regular season. Graham has stepped it up in the postseason. The glue that held the secondary together though was Ed Reed. The all-time great is not what he used to be, but he is still capable of making a game-changing play.
The DBs for the 49ers have been as stellar as ever. They proved to be one of the best secondaries in the NFL last season, and picked up where they left off. Tarell Brown, Carlos Rogers, and Chris Culliver have been solid. Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner have been spectacular. Whitner had his best season as a pro. These men have the task of stopping a red hot Joe Flacco. They are more than capable of living up to the task.
Once again, San Francisco has a clear advantage in the secondary. This defense has been great in every aspect. The secondary has been too. They cover the pass tremendously well, and they are good against the run too. The 49ers will make it difficult for Flacco to keep up his recent hot streak.
Advantage - San Francisco
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