

Super Bowl XLVII - "The Blackout Bowl"

On February 3, 2013, the Superdome in New Orleans played host to a high-scoring – and rather bizarre – Super Bowl between the Ravens and 49ers. Underdog Baltimore, a Division winner and Wild Card team that had lost four of its final five regular season games, surged ahead thanks to three Joe Flacco TD passes and – after Jacoby Jones returned the second half kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown – the Ravens shockingly led, 28-6. Then, completely without warning, the stadium lights went out. The cause was a power outage, which continued for 34 surreal minutes – later spoofed on Saturday Night Live – as players laid down on the field, stretched, and chatted. When power was restored, the game’s momentum shifted. The 49ers scored 17 unanswered points, including a 31-yard touchdown pass by Colin Kaepernick, to make it 28-23. After a successful Ravens' field goal, and a 15-yard Kaepernick touchdown run with 9:57 left in the game, the score was 31-29, Baltimore. After a failed two-point conversion and a Baltimore field goal, the 49ers had a final chance down, 34-29, at the Ravens’ 5 with two minutes left. But three straight incomplete passes intended for Michael Crabtree, followed by an intentional safety after a change in possession, sealed the game as Baltimore held on, 34-31. It was a great moment for the Ravens’ Ray Lewis, who retired after the game, and a bittersweet moment for the family of John and Jim Harbaugh, brothers and the head coaches who guided the Ravens and 49ers, respectively.
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