NFL.com's #5 Game of the Year

[vmax]

 

 

It's a very enjoyable read. Unless you are a 49'ers fan...

 

 

Play(s) of the Game: Call it the sequence of the game. Call it the sequence of the 2012 season. Rewatch the whole series right here as you continue.

* First-and-goal from the 8: The Niners go basic, running LaMichael James up the middle for two yards. Basically, this is a let's-make-second-down-more-manageable-and-maybe-get-lucky play.

* Second-and-goal from the 5: Offensive coordinator Greg Roman calls a designed rollout by Kaepernick, with Vernon Davis and Crabtree as his primary targets.

Two problems:

1. This shrunk the field, allowing several Ravens defenders to flood that side of the end zone.
2. Crabtree could have taken his defender deeper before coming back for the ball, leaving Kaepernick a larger window to fit that ball.

Incomplete pass.

* Third-and-goal from the 5: The 49ers send Crabtree in motion to the right. Kaepernick takes a five-step drop, looking solely to his right. The ball is obviously heading toward Crabtree, who is running to the flat. The ball is there. So is Ravens CB Jimmy Smith. Drop.

* Fourth-and-goal from the 5: Roman again limits Kaepernick's reads, calling for a back-shoulder fade to Crabtree on the right side of the end zone.

Baltimore defensive coordinator Dean Pees calls for a blitz right up the gut. Kaepernick feels the pressure in his face and responds by heaving the ball in Crabtree's direction. Yes, there's contact between Smith and Crabtree, but not enough to be called. Honestly, it appeared as though Crabtree initiated it.

...What a gut check for Pees. To blitz straight up the gut on fourth down took two brass stones.

 

Turnover on downs. Baltimore football. Baltimore Lombardi Trophy.

http://www.nfl.com/top20games/2012/super-bowl-xlvii

 

[cravnravn]

Turnover on downs. Baltimore football. Baltimore Lombardi Trophy

 

 

 

 

Yes it is

[OutsideRzAcE]

Game #1 has to be Denver-Ravens

[colincac]

Totally forgot how nerve-wracking that final drive was. Awesome defense by Jimmy Smith, hopefully that gives him the confidence to have a big year this year.

[vmax]

Game #1 has to be Denver-Ravens

 

 

You're right!