Super Bowl 2013: Best Individual Matchups That Will Decide Championship Game

With the abundance of storylines and human-interest angles fans have been exposed to during the playoffs this year, individual matchups and strategy has taken a back seat in the discussion.

With two weeks remaining before the Super Bowl—and plenty of time to discuss the coaches and almost-retired players—now is a good time to start breaking down the nuts and bolts of the game. It’s time to talk strategy and matchups.

The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers got this far on talent, hard work and execution. Both teams are faced with several key matchups that will determine the outcomes of the game, and preparation will be the key for those matchups.

We’ll take a look at some of the most crucial individual battles we will see during Super Bowl XLVII.

Bryant McKinnie vs. Aldon Smith

Michael Oher moved to right tackle two weeks ago and McKinnie took over as Baltimore’s left tackle. That move provided a huge spark for the Ravens offense.

Oher is a good pass protector, but he’s an even better run blocker, and inserting McKinnie allowed the Ravens some flexibility on offense. McKinnie played well against New England, but he’ll be faced with a very difficult matchup in the Super Bowl.

Both Justin Smith and Aldon Smith line up on the right side of San Francisco’s defensive front, meaning McKinnie will be the Ravens’ first line of defense against the 49ers pass rush.

McKinnie will likely be faced with keeping Aldon Smith out of the backfield and away from Joe Flacco on many occasions. In San Francisco’s 3-4 front, Smith is asked to do a lot on the right edge, and is regularly forced to elude opposing offensive tackles when rushing opposing passers.

McKinnie is a solid pass blocker, but Smith possesses an immeasurable edge in quickness and agility. If McKinnie is to slow Smith’s pass rush, he’ll have to maintain a solid base and not get fooled by double-moves and straight speed rushes by Smith.

Smith is one of the best pass rushers in the league, and containing him will be crucial to the success of Baltimore’s offense.

Carlos Rogers vs. Anquan Boldin

After a somewhat disappointing season for the veteran receiver, Boldin came alive in the AFC Championship game, catching eight passes for 60 yards and two touchdowns. He was a big part of Baltimore’s offensive surge in the second half, and San Francisco must find a way to stop Boldin in the red zone.

Carlos Rogers has often been given the task of covering slot receivers this season. He’ll face a tough test in two weeks against a physical receiver with nearly 30 pounds on him.

Rogers is one of the most physical corners in the league, and he’ll be the 49ers’ best coverage option against Boldin, especially in the red zone. The best way to stop a physical receiver is by playing even more physical football.

At 31 years old, Rogers isn’t as quick as he used to be, but neither is Boldin. Pass coverage requires some finesse in most cases, but this matchup will be a heavyweight bout.

Anthony Davis vs. Terrell Suggs

Injuries have slowed Suggs this season, but he’ll be fired up and ready to play on Super Bowl Sunday.

Suggs is one of the best pass rushers in the league, and he’ll be lined up on the left side on occasion, directly across from Davis.

This matchup will be crucial for several reasons. Davis can’t allow one of the best pass rushers in the league to get free shots at Colin Kaepernick, but he also can’t allow Suggs to play conservatively on the edge, sealing Colin Kaepernick in the pocket.

Kaepernick can do a lot of damage with his legs, and Baltimore’s edge defenders will have to keep him contained in the pocket and away from open turf.

The key to limiting Suggs’ effectiveness will be to force him inside into traffic at the line of scrimmage, limiting his ability to keep contain on the edge. Forcing Suggs either into the line or far upfield when he blitzes off the edge will afford Kaepernick some flexibility and a relief valve when the pocket gets too tight.

Baltimore hasn’t displayed as fierce a pass rush as in years past, but the Ravens can still get after opposing quarterbacks. Davis will have his work cut out for him against Suggs and Baltimore’s other imposing outside linebackers.