Ravens vs. 49ers: 5 Matchups That Will Determine Super Bowl XLVII

Intriguing matchups are plentiful in Super Bowl XLVII between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers. 

Both teams proved to be the most physically imposing units during the playoffs, and their aggressive style of play will be deciding factors in determining the NFL champion. 

The Ravens can gash you with Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce, then Joe Flacco can connect with Torrey Smith or Anquan Boldin 60 yards down the field with some Dennis Pitta sprinkled in between. 

San Francisco thrives confidently running Frank Gore between the tackles and Colin Kaepernick on the outside, and Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis certainly threaten the opposing secondary. 

Let's look at the five biggest matchups of Super Bowl XLVII. 

Justin Smith vs. Baltimore's Interior OL

If Justin Smith is on the field, the opposition must do everything it its power to limit his disruption. 

During these playoffs, he hasn't appeared to be fully recovered from his triceps injury, but the extended layoff before the Super Bowl will provide a good amount of time for the dominating defensive lineman to get close to 100 percent. 

When he's at full strength, the 49ers defense is nearly impenetrable. 

Smith frees up a variety of opportunities for Aldon Smith and allows the talented linebacker corps to play aggressively downhill without getting stonewalled by offensive linemen. 

Matt Birk, Marshal Yanda and Kelechi Osemele must play as a cohesive trio to keep Smith from penetrating the backfield often. 

Anquan Boldin Against 49er Cornerbacks

Anquan Boldin has pieced together quite the postseason. 

In Baltimore's three wins, the veteran wideout has hauled in 16 catches for 276 yards with three touchdowns on 26 targets. 

Many of Boldin's catches have come with a high degree of difficulty and have reminded the masses that one should characterize his hands as "strong," and not necessarily "soft."

Joe Flacco has the utmost confidence in Boldin and isn't afraid to loft a jump ball in his direction in any situation. 

Whether it's Chris Culliver, Tarell Brown or Carlos Rogers, the 49ers secondary has a difficult task in front of them—stopping the poised, inherently talented and determined Boldin on Super Bowl Sunday. 

Ray Lewis Against Frank Gore

Frank Gore has been relatively underrated for most of his career, but as a key component to San Francisco's accomplished running game this season, he won't be overlooked by anyone in the Super Bowl. 

The deceptively shifty running back with a remarkably low center of gravity is averaging nearly five yards per carry in the postseason and has accounted for 257 total yards with three touchdowns in the team's two victories. 

Although Ray Lewis has lost a half step in the twilight of his career, he is still a stout run defender. 

San Francisco should run a variety of "power" plays in which a pulling guard leads Gore through a designed running lane and Lewis will be waiting to make a play. 

This matchup will have significant bearing on the final outcome. 

Vernon Davis Against Dannell Elerbe

Vernon Davis exploded for six grabs, 106 yards and a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons. 

With plenty of attention being paid to the read-option and Michael Crabtree on the outside, the supremely athletic tight end was found wide open by Colin Kaepernick on multiple occasions. 

While safeties Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard may match up with Davis, rangy linebacker Dannell Ellerbe will likely track Davis on many of his short to intermediate routes. 

If the Georgia alum can stay with Davis and keep him from picking up big chunks of yardage after the catch, the Ravens will be in business. 

Baltimore's Edge Rushers Against Colin Kaepernick

Although Colin Kaepernick carried the ball only twice for 21 yards in the NFC title game win, the Ravens must prepare themselves for many designed quarterback runs from the read-option. 

As has become relative common knowledge for football fans this season, the read-option puts immense strain and tests the discipline of a defense's edge rushers.

Terrell Suggs and Courtney Upshaw must be prepared to read Kaepernick and stop him before he turns the corner if Baltimore wants to limit huge gains from the speedy quarterback.