Still having massive Internet problems at home and so can not access my game pass to watch the Super Bowl again and give a full review. Hope to be back up and running soon so watch this space. In the mean time I wanted to think which team is more likely to return to the Super Bowl next season.
First of all going to two Super Bowls in a row is a very difficult fate which not many have done only New England in more recent history. I have also maybe got bit of a surprising opinion and actually doubt Baltimore's chances of returning to the Super Bowl. I'm even going to make a massive statement and say they do not even get in the playoff next season.
I actually thought this over a month ago as the ravens were crawling into the playoffs, they face a an off season of big change. On top of that they have a Super Bowl to celebrate all before preparing to play in a very competitive AFC north.
The main change is they will loss Ray Lewis no team will ever be the say if you take out such a big leader. He was a leader on and off the pitch and they will not be able to replace him for his leadership skills they will be able to replace him as a MLB. His play gradually declined he does not shed blocks as easily as he once did, lacks a few strides of pace and is not the cover linebacker teams now require. Therefore the Ravens may get an upgrade in this department but they will feel a bigger loss in the locker room. Ed Reed is uncertain to his plans next year and the Ravens heavily rely on him to make plays on the back end. The un-song hear on the Ravens D is Ngata easily the best defensive linemen in the NFL. He picked up a serious injury in the Super Bowl and could face an off season of surgery and time away from the practise field. This defence needs to become younger and more athletic.
The offence will be more consistent and less change will take place. The only issue is Flacco's contract he enters the off season with no contract and with his performances in 2013 he is going to require top dollar. Getting this could be a length procedure and again could result in more time not on the practise field. Also as NFL offences get more dynamic with read option offences scoring more points and scoring quickly I question can this offence keep up with others.
On the other hand 49ers who have been to the championship game two years in a row and just need to take one more step and win the Bowl. The defence is still young and I expect will add a couple more pieces on the back end to continue to get younger and help make plays. The only question mark is Justin Smiths health, this defence needs him healthy to free up other players to make plays. Get him back quickly and this defence is solid and built to be productive for many years.
The offence is ever evolving, I think we have only seen half the deck when it comes to Kapernicks cards. The biggest obstacle he faces is there is tape out there on him now and ever D coordinator this off season will be working out how to stop the option read offence. I think we are going to see part 2 of this offence next season which I expect to involve more of an illusive back who will gradually be Gore's replacement. We have learnt Kaepernick can throw a great ball all over the park, so NFL be worried if the 49ers add another receiver to play opposite Crabtree.
The 49ers unlike the Ravens will return to the playoffs next year and probably go deep. I expect the NFC to be a tough conference though next year with young teams like the Seahawks and then Packers and Saints returning to their best but the 49ers will be amongst them.
One final side note a quality stat from a sixth former today, forever 2 minutes of televised live NBA there will be 2 and half minutes of commercials during that game. Unbelievable stat.
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