In anticipation for Super 53, we go back to the most recent Super Bowl appearance of the San Francisco 49ers following an impressive 2012 campaign.
After many down years, Jim Harbaugh had the San Francisco 49ers back in the Super Bowl for the first time since 1994, their sixth appearance in the big game overall after an 11-6 season. Their opponent: Jim’s brother John and the 10-6 Baltimore Ravens, making the scene in New Orleans a media fiasco as the NFL prepared for the “Harbaugh Bowl.”
The 49ers entered this February 2013 game as 4.5-point favorites in Super Bowl 47 over the Ravens, but after the first half, those odds looked bleak as the Ravens went into the locker room with a 21-6 lead. This lead grew to 28-6 after Jacoby Jones took the kickoff back to start the half for 108 yards.
However, the Colin Kaepernick led 49ers would not be denied a chance at a championship. After a few more minutes and a power outage later, San Francisco found themselves within striking distance, trailing by only five after the third quarter.
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Kaepernick, the score now 29-31 with 10 minutes remaining in the championship game, cut the Ravens lead even further after a 15-yard touchdown scamper. However, the comeback would not be completed as the Baltimore defense, anchored by Ray Lewis in his final game in the NFL, clamped down on Kaepernick and the rest of the 49ers offense, sealing a 34-31 lead and giving John the win in the “Harbaugh Bowl”
Despite out-producing the Ravens offensively, Joe Flacco was able to throw for 287 yards and three scores, netting him the MVP honors of Super Bowl 47. Kaepernick finished the game with 302 yards passing, 62 yards rushing, and two total touchdowns. The 49ers also got significant production from Frank Gore, who rushed for 110 yards and a score, and Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis who both finished the championship with over 100 yards receiving.
After a couple down seasons, the future is again bright for the 49ers as one of the bright, young play-callers, Kyle Shanahan is entering his third season as the head coach. Jimmy Garoppolo is rehabbing his torn ACL and is expected back by next season as well, and the team has the number two overall pick in the 2019 draft and can nab a top-tier talent to their defensive line, such as Nick Bosa or Quinnen Williams.