The Football
After a couple of amazing pre-game performances (see below) the football started! Flacco came out swinging for the Ravens. The 49ers couldn't get anything started--on offense or defense. Kapernick threw an interception. Randy Moss was being double and triple covered, making him a non-factor in his second championship game. The Ravens were up 21-6 by halftime. It wasn't looking too great for the 49ers. I had been looking forward to a great game between two great teams and that was not happening. I was pretty disappointed.
The second half started off with a play that seemed appropriate to follow such a great halftime show: a 108 yard kickoff return by the Ravens' Jones! At first, they called it at 109 yards which would have set an NFL record, but it was later changed to 108 yards, only tying the record. The 49ers got the ball, down 28-6, and then on third and long, suddenly half of the stadium was thrown into darkness. The lights just went out! It was a thirty-five minute disruption that some say shifted the momentum to the 49ers. I'm not sure about that. It was on their first possession after halftime--we don't know what their locker room chat was like or what their game plan was for the second half. Regardless of the reason, the momentum definitely shifted: after a great touchdown pass to Crabtree, a quick touchdown run by Kapernick, and a lucky field goal by an injured Akers, it was 28-23 at the end of the third quarter!
The Ravens marched back down the field in the fourth quarter to go up 31-23. The 49ers countered with another touchdown; and a botched 2-point conversion attempt. 31-29: the Ravens wanted to make it an eight point game again, but didn't quite get there. Tucker banged through another field goal, though: 34-29. Five point game with just over 4 minutes left. The Niners ran/passed it straight back down to the red zone. And missed the touchdown pass. Controversial call, or lack thereof. There was a lot of holding on that last pass. On both sides. C'est la vie.
But it wasn't over! The Ravens went three and out. Well, three and...safety? Yes! They had to punt with 12 seconds left in the game. So they had their punter hang out in the end zone for eight seconds before he was shoved out of bounds! Brilliant. Then they kicked it away and the return was good. But not good enough. Ravens win: 34-31! Great game!
The Performances
Last night was great! It started off with a great performance of "America the Beautiful" by the Sandy Hook Elementary children's choir and Jennifer Hudson. The kids were adorable and loving the cameras, and Jennifer Hudson was amazing, as always. After that wonderful performance, Alicia Keys took the stage. I've never heard our national anthem sung like that before. What an incredible performance. It was slow, to the point, not too showy, and just phenomenal! Loved her look, too, in a red dress hearkening back to the inauguration look she sported less than a couple of weeks ago.
After a lopsided first half, I was disappointed. But then Beyonce took the stage. What a bombshell! She both looked and sounded amazing. If there had been any doubt about her ability after the inaugural lip-sync, there is no doubt now. She belted out eight songs in twelve minutes, joined for a couple of minutes by Michelle and Kelly from Destiny's Child! They all sounded great! And looked amazing! Beyonce was in a gorgeous three layer leather and lace creation by Ruben Singer. She took off the top two layers as she sang, throwing them into the crowd. Michelle and Kelly were also in great leather bodysuits by Singer.
My one tiny criticism is this: yes, Beyonce looked absolutely stunning, as did Michelle and Kelly. Stunning. My fiancé wasted no time in voicing his admiration of Beyonce's costume. ;-) And I'll agree: she looks so good! But. It feels like every year the costumes get smaller. By the time I have kids, will they even be allowed to watch the halftime show?? I don't want my six-year-old watching strippers on stage. How far is too far?
In my not very humble opinion, Beyonce's show was the best halftime show I've ever seen. Ever. She can sing, she can dance, the technology was fantastic, the costumes were memorable and relevant to fashion today (as opposed to last year, when there were grecian goddess costumes surrounding Madonna), and Beyonce generally just threw down. :-) I loved the show and it will be remembered in history, for sure!
The Commercials
The commercials weren't that good this year! I was pretty disappointed in them. The worst ones were the Bud Light commercials that had Stevie Wonder in them. He kind of looked like Flava Flave, no? There were three commercials I loved:
1. This Budweiser clydesdale commercial definitely made me tear up! So glad I was leaning on my fiancé's chest--don't think he saw...! It's so sweet. But is it good marketing? Yeah--I really want a clydesdale now! Oh wait...I guess that's not what they were selling...
2. The Dodge Ram commercial "So God made a farmer" was so great. Didn't make me tear up, but it really made me appreciate the farmers in our country. We are so lucky to have them and it's so sad they've had such a rough year.
3. This Axe commercial is the only ad that actually made me laugh out loud. Very cute and funny!
The Storylines
The "Har-bowl" was the first time two brothers have coached against each other in the Super Bowl. Can you imagine being their parents?! One of your kids is going to be a world champion, the other is going to lose in the world championship and may or may not ever get a chance at redemption. Oof.
Ray Lewis announced two months ago that he was going to retire at the end of the Ravens' season. And went out on top! Regardless of his past, how great for him!
The Super Bowl was Colin Kapernick's tenth ever NFL start. There is some part of me that is so happy he didn't get a ring. He seems like an arrogant jerk. When other players make a touchdown, they do a dance; when Kapernick makes a TD, he kisses his biceps. How attractive.
This was Randy Moss's second Super Bowl appearance. And his second Super Bowl loss. I really wanted him to get a ring.
Culliver, on the 49ers defense, made an anti-gay comment last week. I cheered every time he botched his coverage and the Ravens receiver he was guarding made a catch. :-)
Flacco. In all honesty, he is the most underrated quarterback in the entire National Football League. Five postseason starts in his first five seasons? Never been done before. He's good. He's consistent. But he's not flashy. Which is why (I think) he doesn't get talked about as much as a Brady or Rodgers or Manning (Peyton, not Eli).
Conclusion
Was it the perfect end to the 2012 season? Nope. The Patriots didn't beat the Packers in the championship. Ha! But it was a really great end to the season. Two great teams playing a really great game with a fantastic Beyonce concert and Destiny's Child reunion in the middle of it! Awesome. Can't wait 'til the fall!
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