The Student News Site of North Carolina A&T State University

The A&T Register

The Student News Site of North Carolina A&T State University

The A&T Register

The Student News Site of North Carolina A&T State University

The A&T Register

    The ‘K’ Report: Niners have the upper-hand in ‘Harbaugh Bowl’

    I predicted that Jim Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers would be crowned champions of Super Bowl XXVII in the first-ever article of “The K Report.”

    This past Sunday, San Francisco booked their ticket to the big game after they beat the top-seeded Atlanta Falcons 28-24 in an epic playoff battle.  

    On Feb. 3, the NFC’s 49ers will clash with the AFC’s Baltimore Ravens in what has been dubbed the “Harbaugh Bowl”.  

    Two brothers, Jim and John Harbaugh, will pursue a trip to football nostalgia while coaching from opposite sidelines for the first time in NFL history.  

    Both team’s journey to this point have been nothing short of intriguing.  

    After an injury-plagued season, an unlikely playoff run, and an unthinkable Mile-High Miracle, the Ravens find themselves healthy and hungry after a convincing 28-13 victory against the infamous New England Patriots.

     For 17-year veteran linebacker, Ray Lewis, the voyage has been nothing short of magical as he hopes to sail into retirement with a second Super Bowl victory.

    Lewis leads all players in tackles this postseason.  

    A win would certainly establish the University of Delaware product, Joe Flacco, as an elite NFL quarterback and forever remove the monkey from his back.

    San Francisco, on the other hand has the opportunity to win their first Super Bowl since the glory days of Steve Young and Jerry Rice.

    This time around, the fate of the 49ers lies on the arm of second year signal caller Colin Kaepernick and a quandary of pass catchers headlined by fourth-year wide receiver Michael Crabtree and seventh year tight end Vernon Davis.

    The 49ers’ offense drastically improved once a debatable mid-season quarterback change from Alex Smith to Kaepernick occured.

    Kaepernick’s emergence as a deadly dual-threat quarterback, the quality running of running back Frank Gore, and the collective efforts of the offensive line have propelled the Niners into a team of not only defensive, but offensive supremacy.

    Clever and deceptive combinations of zone runs and play-action passes have left many of the NFL’s best defenders frozen and dumfounded throughout the 49ers’ playoff campaign.

    I expect nothing different from the Baltimore Ravens’ defense.

    Collectively, San Francisco’s roster is faster, younger, and more skilled than the Ravens on both sides of the ball.  

    Jim Harbaugh’s ability to make timely and effective adjustments offensively and defensively certainly gives San Fran the upper hand over the Ravens.   

    Expect the 49ers to win by a score of 24-13.

    • Kayln Hoyle, Opinions editor