WILL YOU BE watching Super Bowl XLVII at home this year but would still like to feel part of the game?
Fret not, here at TheScore.ie we have you covered, especially if you’re trying to pick a team to support.
After in-depth research, we’ve come up with everything you need to know about both the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers, as well as the best food and drink each city has to offer.
Baltimore
Team
The Baltimore Ravens are just a baby in NFL terms, beginning life in 1996 when former owner, Art Modell, relocated his Cleveland Browns franchise to Maryland. The team’s name was inspired by Edgar Allen Poe, who is buried in Baltimore and whose most famous work is, of course, ‘The Raven’.
The Ravens have made the playoffs five years in a row and have won two AFC Championships in their short history, including this year.
They were victorious in their only previous visit to the Super Bowl, when they defeated the New York Giants, 34-7 in 2000.
Coach
John Harbaugh played as a defensive back for the University of Miami, Ohio but never played in the NFL. Since becoming a coach in the league, his record is incredible, taking the Ravens to the playoffs in each of his five seasons in charge.
Key player(s)
After 17 years in the NFL, Ray Lewis probably deserves a mention here. However, Joe Flacco’s performances this postseason have helped the Ravens reach this stage but that’s mostly because of his offensive line. Not only have they given Flacco lots of time to throw the ball, but they’ve also helped establish the Ravens’ run game. If they can do both again on Sunday, that might be the difference between the two teams.
City
Baltimore has a population of about 620,000 and was founded in 1661 by English settlers escaping religious prosecution.
It’s most famous sons and daughters include David Hasselhoff, Michael Phelps and the movie director John Waters.
It was also, of course, home to the greatest TV series of all time, ‘The Wire’.
Food
As with the rest of Maryland, Baltimore is best known for its Blue Crabs. Beaten with a hammer, and cooked with both cold beer and boiling water, they remain a mystery to most outsiders.
Drink
One of the finest beers I’ve ever had came out of Maryland, and it’s Heavy Sea’s Loose Cannon Indian Pale Ale. At 7.25% ABV, you might not want to drink too many of them during the Super Bowl though.
San Francisco
Team
The San Francisco 49ers have been in existence for exactly 50 years longer than their opponents on Sunday. The team is named after the prospectors who moved to the area in 1849 when gold was discovered.
After dominating the NFL in the eighties and nineties, the team have been in the doldrums for twenty years. Despite that, they still have 25 playoff appearances.
The 49ers have won all five of their Super Bowl appearances, the most recent being a 49-26 win over the San Diego Chargers in 1994.
Coach
Unlike his brother, Jim Harbaugh actually did play in the NFL. A steady if unremarkable quarterback, Harbaugh has taken to coaching with the same success as his brother, reaching the playoffs in each of his two seasons in charge of the 49ers.
Key player
It has to be Colin Kaepernick. Sunday will be just his tenth start as an NFL quarterback. How he handles the pressure of the occasion could have a massive impact on the outcome of the game. The evidence so far would seem to suggest he’ll be okay, but you never know what nerves can do.
City
Previously ‘owned’ by both Spain and Mexico, San Francisco came under the control of the US in 1847 when it’s name was changed from Yerba Buena.
Famous people born in San Francisco include Clint Eastwood, Steve Jobs and OJ Simpson.
Sadly, San Fran can’t boast a TV show like ‘The Wire’ but it was the location for ‘The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.’
Food
Like Baltimore, San Francisco residents love their crab. However, it’s also known for something called Rice-a-Roni which consists of rice and pasta mixed together.
Drink
Tripe Voodoo’s Barrel Aged Grand Cru is not for the feint of heart at 9% ABV but is a very tasty pale ale for those who like their beer complex.
Go on the dubs! Take that, "kingdom", or whatever ye call yerselves…
Well done Dublin great game.
Well done to the Tipperary minors and to the Dubs. Football just got interesting again!! :))
The jacks are back, well done Dublin fantastic team effort and thank fully we just edged a close game with Kerry.
Living as I do approx 3 miles from SAMs ancestral home I much prefer for the cup named after him to be temporarily resident in Dublin rather than Kerry. Well done the Dubs.
Well done to Dublin. They best team on the day & great comeback against us. To be the best, you got to beat the best
Bless the Dubs, O Lord we pray, keep them on their winning way. Bless the colours, worn with pride, from Ballybough to Stepaside. Bless the banners and the flags, not to mention all the gags. Bless Gilroy too, the uncrowned king, let his name around Croke Park sing. Bless Bernard Brogan in the square, kicking points from everywhere. Bless Cluxton too, that agile ace, who guards his goal with style and grace. Bless the man with all the go, the dashing, dauntless, Cullen yoo. Bless the fans, that faithful throng, keep their voices loud and strong. Bless next All-Ireland final day, be sure the Dubs will rule OK
Well done, damn ye!
McMenamin made some impact when he came on! Great performance by the Dubs, fully deserved to win! Coppers will be hopping tonight!
Gutted, but fair play to the dubs.They played to their potential, and we didn’t. Agus sin e.
Kerry will win I’d say, Dublin will be fair disappointed to come away with nothing, not even the minor!
What the hell was wrong with Cluxton? running down the tunnel and not joining in the celebrations and generally looking miserable after the match and in the hotel on the Sunday game…whats up there??
As much as I’d love a Dublin win, I think Kerry will be too clinical towards the end. Conditions have opened it up a bit though.
Gee Adrian!
Even from Kathmandu… I reckon you photo caption needs adjustment!
COME ON THE DUBS GREAT WIN