Super Bowl Predictions 2013: Ray Lewis Won't Get Dream Ending to Sublime Career

Super Bowl XLVII will be the last ride for Ray Lewis, as he's slated to call it quits after an iconic 17-year career.

The 37-year-old linebacker was lucky enough to win Super Bowl XXXV with the Baltimore Ravens back in 2000, which is lucky, because he won't be winning against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Lewis and the Ravens will have their hands full with Colin Kaepernick leading a read-option offense that's averaging 476 YPG and 36.5 PPG during the playoffs.

Kaepernick has proven that he can be both an effective pocket passer and a lethal runner, against the Green Bay Packers and the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco's last two postseason games leading up to the New Orleans clash.

Kaep has a physical running back in Frank Gore to help him pound Baltimore's defense on the ground and weapons like Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis and Randy Moss to help him through the air.

Crabtree is coming off of his first 1,000-yard campaign, Davis is known for making big plays in the postseason, and Moss can still make plays over the top of the defense at the age of 35.

The 49ers defense, on the other hand, is the most physical and punishing defense the NFL has to offer.

From the defensive line that features Justin and Aldon Smith to a linebacking corp highlighted by Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman, it's extremely difficult to gain yardage on the ground against San Francisco's defense.

If Ray Rice isn't able to find any holes in the running game, Joe Flacco will have to make plays down field to Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith and Dennis Pitta to give the Ravens a chance.

Flacco is playing the best football of his career during the postseason but still needs this Super Bowl victory to cement himself as a top QB in the NFL.

If Baltimore can pull the upset, it'll be a dream ending for Lewis in the last season of his career.

As one of the most passionate players to ever take the field, it would only be fitting for Lewis to end his career on a high note by winning the big game in the Superdome.

But as all sports fans know, storylines don't determine the outcome of a game, and Lewis' pending retirement surely won't decide Super Bowl XLVII.

Kaepernick and the 49ers defense will lead the way for San Francisco, as the Niners win their sixth Lombardi Trophy and send Ray Lewis into retirement with the lone 2000 Super Bowl win.

Prediction: 49ers 23, Ravens 21

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