Uncategorized
Super Bowl XLVII preview
Published
11 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Brandon Niles Explorebigsky.com Sports Columnist
Once again, it’s that special time of year when fans gear up for what has become the biggest sporting event in the country. The Super Bowl this year brings a fresh look at the dominant teams in the NFL. The much-heralded Packers, Patriots, and Broncos couldn’t get it done in the playoffs. Instead, the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers will be the two sides vying for the Lombardi Trophy this year.
The Ravens and 49ers bring with them several interesting storylines. First, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is the older brother of 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh. Both have experienced tremendous success in their positions, not once missing the playoffs in a combined seven seasons. These two almost met in the Super Bowl last year, each team losing in their Conference Championship game in the 2011 playoffs.
Beyond the coaching connection, the quarterbacks represent two starkly contrasting styles and personas. Young and exciting second year player, Colin Kaepernick of the 49ers, represents a new wave of NFL quarterbacks. Kaepernick has a tremendous arm, but is also a dynamic runner operating in a non-traditional offensive system. The 49ers use a lot of read option sets in order to maximize their versatile quarterback’s talents. Should the 49ers prevail, their victory will in many ways legitimize this style of play as a system that can win in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco couldn’t possibly be more traditional a passer. An old-fashioned drop back player, standing tall in the pocket with a rocket arm, Flacco has made many teams suffer from his deep accuracy and his tremendous arm strength. While Flacco has never been known for his consistency, his ability to deliver in clutch situations has become increasingly evident during this season’s playoffs. Flacco is out to prove he has the ability to lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl.
Outside of the quarterback position, these two teams actually share a lot in common. Both are organizations that have built their rosters primarily through the draft, have excellent offensive lines and running games, and are backed by a stout defense. In fact, the Ravens and 49ers in many ways are everything that the new NFL is not. While both have offenses that can be productive, neither is as prolific as other teams often considered elite, such as New England and Green Bay. These two teams have shown that a strong running game and a good defense can still be an effective formula for success in the modern NFL.
The fact that these are two teams that haven’t been to the Super Bowl in a while (Baltimore, 2001; San Francisco, 1995) is exciting to see for fans, especially since this is the first Super Bowl since 2003 that does not feature a Manning, Brady or Roethlisberger. Additionally, the coaching connection, Ray Lewis’ last game as a pro, and all that is at stake for the quarterbacks should make for interesting sub plots in the game.
For the game itself, expect the Ravens to come in prepared for the 49ers offensive scheme after seeing Green Bay fail miserably to contain it three weeks ago. The Ravens have a savvy veteran defense that can contain the edges and use good gap discipline that should help keep Colin Kaepernick and running back Frank Gore in check. The 49ers will need to throw the ball outside and avoid turning the ball over if they are going to win this game.
The 49ers defense will need to take away the deep ball from a Ravens team that has been lethal throwing downfield, and they’ll also need to get pressure on Flacco, who’s had plenty of time in the pocket throughout the playoffs thus far. The 49ers have the personnel to do just that, and will also need linebackers Navorro Bowman and Patrick Willis to remain disciplined enough to stop Ravens running back Ray Rice.
All in all, I think the Ravens do enough on offense to put up 24 points, and I think the Ravens defense should be able to keep the 49ers from matching their point total. I think 24 is the magic number in this game, and holding Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers offense to 20 points seems like a realistic goal.
Final prediction: Ravens over 49ers, 24-20 in a great game.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
april, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
more
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
Time
14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome
Event Details
Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome to come, if you don’t know who to bring come alone this is a great mixer event! This is an event hosted by Big Sky OUT as we work to provide queer safe spaces throughout the community.
Time
(Sunday) 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Cowboy Coffee
25 Town Center Ave. Big Sky, MT 59716