Super Bowl XLVII Preview - Secondary

      
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

Super Bowl XLVII Preview - Linebackers

      
Baltimore: Ray Lewis, Dannell Ellerbe, Terrell Suggs, Paul Kruger
San Francisco: Patrick Willis, Navorro Bowman, Aldon Smith, Ahmad Brooks

2012 Leaders
Baltimore: Paul Kruger 9 sacks
San Francisco: Aldon Smith 19.5 sacks

The linebacking units in Super Bowl XLVII are loaded with game changers. Patrick Willis and Navorro Bowman make up the best inside linebacking duo in the NFL today. On the other side, Ray Lewis is potentially the best inside linebacker in NFL history. Aldon Smith is the best pass rushing linebacker in the NFL today. On the other sideline, Terrell Suggs is one of the best pass rushing linebackers of the past decade. Both of these corps will have something to say about who hoists the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday night.

Ray Lewis is one win away from going out on top. Lewis has been the face of the Ravens franchise since he was drafted in 1996. He was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXV and would love nothing more than to get part ways with his second ring. He will need some help from his teammates. Lewis and Suggs are one of the great inside-out duos to play the game. Both have been hampered by injury throughout the year. It is the two lesser know members of the unit that have lead the way this year. Dannell Ellerbe lead the team in tackles, and Paul Kruger lead the team in sacks.

There is playmaker at every spot across the 49ers linebackers. I will say that Ahmad Brooks is solid, and move on from him. Patrick Willis may have taken over for Ray Lewis as the game's best inside linebacker. His teammate right next to him in the middle isn't too shabby either. Navorro Bowman is also an All-Pro. Together they form an unstoppable tackling machine. As if these two weren't dangerous enough, the most freakish pass rusher in the NFL lines up on the outside. Aldon Smith wreaked havoc all season and finished up the year with 19.5 sacks.

There is overwhelming talent at linebacker in this Super Bowl. Baltimore has a sure fire Hall of Famer and an emotional leader in Lewis. Ellerbe has played well all year, and Suggs and Kruger get to the QB with regularity. But this San Francisco unit is down right stacked. Willis, Bowman, and Aldon Smith will all prove why they are considered such a force together.

Advantage - San Francisco

Super Bowl XLVII Preview - Defensive Line

      
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

Super Bowl XLVII Preview - Offensive Line

      
Baltimore: Matt Birk, Marshal Yanda, Kelechi Osemele, Michael Oher, Bryant McKinnie
San Francisco: Jonathan Goodwin, Alex Boone, Mike Iupati, Anthony Davis, Joe Staley

2013 Pro Bowlers
Baltimore: Marshal Yanda
San Francisco: Mike Iupati, Joe Staley

The battle in the trenches will be very interesting in Super Bowl XLVII. Both of these teams have been known for defense, but both have very good offensive lines. Baltimore's line is a bit more finesse but can still punish you. San Francisco's line is mean and nasty and wants to pound you up and down the field. Each line gave up their fair share of sacks this season. The Ravens were 20th in the league in sacks allowed, while the 49ers were 24th. On the flip side, Baltimore was 11th in rushing and San Francisco was 4th. Both teams had a Guard selected to the Pro Bowl. Marshal Yanda was selected for the Ravens. Mike Iupati was joined by Tackle Joe Staley for the 49ers.

Baltimore's line is solid if not spectacular. The best among the Baltimore big men is Marshal Yanda. He was a key component in Ray Rice surpassing 1,000 yards yet again. Michael Oher has been a productive Tackle on the right side, but it is Flacco's blind side that is questionable. It appears that Bryant McKinnie will get the nod there in the Super Bowl. McKinnie has held up well in the postseason, but will be tasked with trying to stop a ferocious 49er pass rush on the outside. Joe Flacco must have time to stretch the field if the Ravens are going to have any chance at bringing home the Lombardi Trophy.

The 49ers have one of the most physically dominating lines in the league. This unit has played extremely well all season. Mike Iupati and Joe Staley have been two of the best in the business at their respective positions. The way the others have come together this year, have really made the San Francisco offense click. They love to use their physicality to run clock and play ground and pound football. The Ravens defense has been playing much better throughout the postseason, so the 49ers will have to bring their A game. It will be intriguing to see whether the aging Ravens D can handle this stout group of big uglies.

Cohesiveness is amongst the best attributes an offensive line can have as a unit. San Francisco certainly has that. They will need to work together to handle the Ravens D, that is playing inspired football under the leadership of the departing Ray Lewis. I think they can. The 49ers have some beasts on their line. the Ravens line is nice, but they aren't as dominant.

Advantage - San Francisco