Starting things off in the final quarter of the season, the Ravens would end the 49ers 17-0 run with a 19-yard FG from Justin Tucker. For the next ensuing San Francisco possession, Kaepernick would set the things off for the 49ers in the last quarter giving them hopes as he scrambled for a 15-yard rushing touchdown. With the score 31-29, the 49ers would go for a two-point conversion to tie the game as a pass from Kaepernick to Randy Moss would be incomplete as he overthrew the ball.
On the next Ravens possession, they would further the gap between themselves and the 49ers as Justin Tucker would come through in the clutch once more this time from 38 to further the gap in the score making it a 5-point lead.
With 4 minutes left, San Francisco was unsuccessful at scoring a touchdown after 9-plays as they would turn over the ball at the Ravens 5 with an incomplete Colin Kaepernick pass to Michael Crabtree as the Ravens would take over at their 5 to essentially waste the clock.
Wanting to take off as much time as possible, Baltimore punter Sam Koch would fake punt taking 8 seconds off the clock managing to get the clock down the 4 seconds after a safety. Baltimore would kick the ball off with no chance of fair catch due to a safety rule as the game would end and the Ravens would win the 2013 Super Bowl.
Ray Lewis retires after an illustrious 17-year career as a Super Bowl champion completing his legacy as a two-time champion and becoming in many eyes as the greatest linebacker and on the field leader of all time. Joe Flacco should no longer be questioned whether being an elite level QB becoming the second in NFL history tying Joe Montana as the only QB in post-season history to throw for over 11 touchdowns with no interceptions thrown.
The San Francisco 49ers should not look at this loss as a discouraging one but feel encouraged as Colin Kaepernick’s future is definitely bright in the NFL to be a replacement QB and take his team all the way to the Super Bowl coming up 3 points shy in his first year as a starter.
This was a memorable season as we’ll see you next August. Enjoy the offseason!