The pick is San Francisco.
The Ravens have hit their straps at just the right time and the
occasionally frustrating Joe Flacco has become the pocket passer par
excellence – 8TDs, no picks. That form has been down to the protection
Flacco has been afforded by his offensive line, and the 49ers will need
to find a way to get pressure on the Ravens’ QB; the worry here is that
Justin Smith and Aldon Smith haven’t shown much recently. Despite having
a premium back at his disposal, Jim Caldwell must know that letting
Flacco throw against the 49ers’ weakest defensive element, their
secondary, is Baltimore’s best chance.
Pistol packing Colin Kaepernick. The knock is that he lacks Flacco’s
experience and will fold in the big game, but I can’t see it. Atlanta
challenged him to throw and put him in tough spots, on the road, and he
came through. Frank Gore can really challenge a defense that gives up
yards on the ground and the read option means that a stretched run
defense will have just too much to think about. If the 49ers’ defense
throw in the stops they’re capable of, San Francisco will be Super Bowl
champs.
Pick: San Francisco 49ers -4 @ 1.91
Pick: 1st TD Colin Kaepernick @ 11
Pick: Anytime TD Dennis Pitta @ 2.63; Anquan Boldin @ 2.5
Pick: MVP Colin Kaepernick @ 2.5; Michael Crabtree @ 32
The Super Bowl is a prop bettor’s paradise, so apart from the pick
against the spread, I’ve included some other bets I like here. They’re
taken from B365:
Colin Kaepernick - Rush Yards
Kaepernick has gone over 50 rushing yards in just three of his starts and the Ravens will be keen to bottle him up.
Under 45.5 @ 1.95
Bernard Pierce/LaMichael James – Rushing yardage.
Pierce has 169 yards on 27 carries during the postseason, averaging
6.3 YPC. It’ll be tough going, but he’ll be relevant tonight and can
break off a run. James isn’t yet fully part of the offensive scheme.
Pick: Pierce -9.5 @ 2.30
Justin Tucker/David Akers – Kicking Points
Tucker has been money and has a good leg; the Ravens may stall.
Pick: Justin Tucker @ 1.90
Torrey Smith – Longest Reception
He is the deepest of deep threats. The 49ers will have him in mind all game, but Flacco can hit him.
Pick: Over 28.5 @ 1.83
Anquan Boldin – Receptions
The deep threat of Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones could see the
49ers’ safeties leaving room underneath. Boldin is seeing the targets,
and if he draws Carlos Rogers he can bring this in.
Pick: Over 5 @ 1.90
Ray Rice – Receptions
He may find it difficult to put up monster numbers rushing, but he
also has a crucial role as an outlet for Flacco. If the pressure comes,
Ray Rice could see the ball dumped off to him.
Pick: Over 3.5 @ 2.30
Justin Tucker – Kicking Points
(See above)
Pick: Over 7.5 @ 1.90
LaMichael James – Longest Rush
(See above)
Pick: Under 10.5 @ 1.95
Team to score the longest TD
Baltimore will take the shots.
Pick: Baltimore @ 1.86
Longest Field Goal
Pick: Over 45.5 @ 1.80
