Ravens' Fake Field Goal Leaves Three Points on the Field

The Baltimore Ravens looked to be putting the Super Bowl away before halftime. Or at least making it incredibly difficult for the San Francisco 49ers to make it a game.

Colin Kaepernick's poorly thrown ball landed in Ed Reed's hands and gave the Ravens great field position. After the drive stalled out just short of the 10-yard line, Baltimore lined up for the easy field goal.

However, John Harbaugh got cute. He elected to fake it.

It didn't work out.

The 49ers might have been taken by surprise, but semi-poor execution by the Ravens left them just short of creating a horrendous situation for San Francisco. Or maybe just slow wheels by the kicker left them in the lurch.

You can see him get around the edge, but he slows up hoping that one more block will spring him free. Instead, it allows the defense to catch up and keep him from picking up the first down. 

Obviously, opinions varied on the call. 

"

John tried to fool Jim on fake FG. You don't fool Jim, John. Bad move by John, letting Jim get back in this thing.

— Bob Wojnowski (@bobwojnowski) February 4, 2013"

"

To be clear, I didn't mind a fake. You see the benefit here of a failed fake (3 and out, good field pos). I didn't like the design of it.

— Andy Glockner (@AndyGlockner) February 4, 2013"

The gutsy call took three points off of the board as it's pretty difficult to miss such a short field goal. If the Ravens lose by three or less, expect this play to be revisited a few thousand times during the offseason. 

"

Cc: @asolomon6RT @dbrooks55: Well that Fake FG will be the topic of all talk shows

— J.A. Adande (@jadande) February 4, 2013"