The NFL post season is down to just two teams remaining. The San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens will face off against each other in Super Bowl XLVII in the Mercedes-Benz Super Dome, New Orleans, Louisiana. Unfortunately for Miami Dolphins fans, our South Florida team just missed on qualifying for the game this year - just like every year since 1985. Just in case you are keeping track, today is 1477 days since the Dolphins were in the playoffs, 4404 days since they last won a playoff game, 10,227 days since their last Super Bowl appearance, and 14,252 days since the Miami Dolphins last raised the Lombardi Trophy. But who's counting?
Anyway, the Dolphins played the 49ers this season, dropping the Week 14 game 27-13 in San Francisco. Quarterback Colin Kaeperrnick threw for 185 yards against the Dolphins, with 52 yards rushing and a touchdown on the ground. Running back Frank Gore added 63 yards and a touchdown of his own. Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw for 150 yards with a touchdown, adding 25 yards on the ground. The Miami defense got to Kaepernick four times, three by Cameron Wake.
Miami did not face the Ravens this season.
When the Super Bowl kicks off in two weeks, it will mark the second time in franchise history that the Ravens will be in the title game. The Ravens beat the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV following the 2000 season. The last remaining original Raven, linebacker Ray Lewis, who has stated this will be his last season in the NFL, was the MVP in that game and will be looking to go out on top in his last game.
This is the first time the 49ers have made the Super Bowl since the 1994 season, when they won Super Bowl XXIX over the San Diego Chargers in Joe Robbie Stadium. Steve Young threw six touchdown passes in the game, earning MVP honors.
The game will feature the first Super Bowl match up of brothers as opposing head coaches, with the Ravens' John Harbaugh facing the 49ers' Jim Harbaugh.
New Orleans will tie the South Florida/Miami metropolitan area with their tenth Super Bowl when the game kicks off in two weeks. The Super Bowl was last in New Orleans in 2002.
The power of the Super Bowl is in more than the host city's exposure and the money that it generates. This year, the game has caused New Orleans to adjust Mardi Gras. The first set of parades will take place beginning January 25, a week earlier than normal. Parade season will then pause as the Super Bowl takes center stage, allowing the residents, officials, and police force to focus on the NFL's championship. "The parade season will pick up again after the big game. Traditionally, the official Carnival season consists of 12 consecutive days that culminate on Fat Tuesday," according to The Times-Picayune.
The same split Mardi Gras schedule was followed for 2002's Super Bowl XXXVI, also held on February 3rd.
Here's a run down of all the pertinent data for the game:
Super Bowl XLVII
San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens
Host City: New Orleans, Louisiana
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Super Dome
Date: February 3, 2013
Kickoff Time: 6:30 EST / 3:30 PST
TV Coverage: CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
National Anthem: Alicia Keys
Halftime Show: Beyonce
Tickets: TiqIQ
SB Nation Coverage: Niners Nation | Baltimore Beatdown
A full guide to New Orleans during the Super Bowl can be found at NFL.com. The league's official site also has a Fan Housing guide, a full list of events, and media day information. The New Orleans host committee also has a number of resources on it's web site. Media day will take place on January 29th, 2012.