Super Bowl 47: Best Storylines to Follow in Ravens vs. 49ers Showdown

Even though fans will blindly follow the Super Bowl, regardless of who is playing in the game, when you have two teams like the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers locking horns, the number of storylines makes this one of the most intriguing games in a long time. 

Some of the storylines are obvious, others require some thought, but all of them are compelling nonetheless. 

As we sprint towards the kickoff of the game (finally), the stories have been set up and it is on the players to write the ending. Only one team can come out on top, so not everything is going to have a happy ending. 

Here are the best storylines that we are following on Super Sunday.

How will the Ray Lewis retirement tour end?

The further the Ravens have gone in this postseason, the more annoying the spectacle Ray Lewis has become. He has to be the focal point because he is an all-time great player. He feeds into the whole thing by crying whenever a camera is in his face. 

Oh yeah, there is also that whole mess with the deer antler spray that he doesn't want to acknowledge. 

Despite all the theatrics that surround Lewis, knowing that this is the final game in the career of arguably the best defensive player of this generation makes you want to see how he is going to play. 

Lewis has recorded more tackles (44) than anyone else this postseason. He is showing no ill effects of the triceps injury that cost him most of the regular season. 

Everyone on the Ravens says he wants to send Lewis out with a Super Bowl. Lewis will play a key role in the success, or failure, of the defense in this game. 

What tricks are up Colin Kaepernick's sleeve?

Kaepernick has been the breakout star this postseason. When 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh made the switch to Kaepernick permanent in Week 11, it was with the idea that his ability to create big plays would serve the offense better than Alex Smith's dink-and-dunk style. 

Against Green Bay, Kaepernick showed that he can beat you with his legs. He set an NFL record for quarterbacks with 181 rushing yards. He also had four total touchdowns (two rushing, two passing) and didn't flinch after throwing a pick six on his second pass of the game. 

Against Atlanta, Kaepernick was forced to stay in the pocket and proved he can beat you with his arm. Down 17-0 seconds into the second quarter, he led the 49ers back with touchdowns on three-straight drives. 

The two drives that the 49ers didn't score on in the third quarter against the Falcons were due to a missed field goal and a fumble at the goal line by Michael Crabtree. Kaepernick was in a groove and the Falcons had no answer for him. 

The Ravens defense has been outstanding at keeping points off the board in the postseason, though it does give up a lot of yards. In the Ravens' three playoff wins, it has allowed 415 yards per game. 

However, the defense has only given up 43 points. Two touchdowns came on special teams in the game against Denver. 

Kaepernick has had success at exploiting those bend-but-don't-break defenses so far this postseason. He will have to do it again for the 49ers to win their sixth Super Bowl. 

Which brother will outsmart the other?

John and Jim Harbaugh are two very different head coaches, yet the results they get from their players are very similar. 

John Harbaugh is much more stoic and methodical in the way he works on the sidelines. He does not get too high or too low, trying to keep his team on an even keel until the final whistle blows. 

Jim Harbaugh is fiery, passionate and, at times, very animated. He makes sure that his players know he will get in someone's face if it is required. 

During their joint press conference on Friday, John was all business in a suit and tie, providing good answers to the questions that were being asked. Jim, while not exactly rude, looked like he just wanted to be with his team. He was wearing the attire he does on the sidelines. 

The Harbaughs know what makes their teams tick so well that they understand when to push buttons and when to step back. This will be one of the best-coached Super Bowls in a long, long time. 

Follow @adamwells1985