It’s lights out for the 49ers as the Ravens realise destiny! 

An embarrassing 35 minute power cut in New Orleans’s Superdome stadium almost derailed the Baltimore Ravens Super bowl dream. They let slip a 28-6 lead in the second half to hold on for a 34-31 win in a thrilling and action packed final.

Leading up to the final, there were so many subplot stories it was unreal. The opposing teams were coached by brothers Jim Harbaugh and John Harbaugh. The Ravens 17 year all-star veteran, Ray Lewis announced early in the season this would be his last.

To add to that, the 49ers were led by rookie quarterback and running sensation Colin Kaepernick. Ravens Jacoby Jones was regarded as the best special teams player this season. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who has now led his team to the most road play-off victories in NFL history (6)

49ers kicker David Akers has missed the most field goals this season but in week one tied an NFL record for the longest field goal (63 yards). With all that being said, on paper the 11-4-1 49ers were considered favourites over the 10-6 Ravens.

Seen as I had money on the Ravens to win from the start of play-offs, I was delighted they got off to a fast start. Flacco led a six play drive which ended in a 13 yard touchdown to Anquan Boldin 7-0. The 49ers then kicked a field goal to trial 7-3.

Courtney Upshaw recovered a 49ers fumble, which led to a 76 yard Ravens drive culminating in a one yard pass to Dennis Pitta 14-3.

One play later, Ed Reed intercepted Kaepernick, who was picked off for a post season record 9th interception. A few plays following that, Ravens on fourth down, tried to sneakily run rookie kicker, Justin Tucker in on a fake field goal play but was tackled on the one yard line.

I loved it, this is what the so called “biggest sporting spectacle on earth” was all about. Taking risks, coming up with the unexpected…But they failed…..

Then I remembered my hard earned cash was on the line and thought “DAMN, why didn’t the fools kick the field goal? That’s three points they just missed out on”

My reservations were short lived as Jacoby Jones came up with the play of the game. Flacco went deep from about the 50 yard line; Jones caught the ball and landed on his back.

He got up without being touched at the 5 yard line, spun away from the despairing dive of a 49ers defender to diagonally, outrun another defender into the end zone 21-3. wonderful play.

Just before the end of the half, two Delanie Walker receptions put the 49ers deep into Ravens territory. The Ravens defence held strong though and the 49ers had to settle for a late Akers field goal to make it 21-6 at half-time.

At half time, while Beyonce was looking thicker than a kit-kat chunky, performing impressively with her Destiny Child’s band mates. We wasn’t to know the drama that was only moments away.

No quicker did the second half start, did we have more exciting drama. Jacoby Jones showed why he is regarded as one of the best punt returners around. He returned the half-time kick for a superb Super bowl record, 108 yards for a touchdown 28-6.

Then all of a sudden, as I was still marveling from that amazing touchdown, like most people around the world I sat their baffled, steering at an eerie looking darkened stadium. No commentators were talking and it almost looked like a UFO was about to land or it was a scene from Close Encounters.

As the world waited, it became evident there was a power cut in the stadium. I then took to twitter in the 35 minute delay to entertain and amuse myself.

As the power cut happened just minutes after Beyonce’s half-time show, inevitably the jokes were flying around.

On said her “over-elaborate half-time show, used up all the electricity” another said “God is a 49ers fan and put a stop to the humiliation”.

It was truly an embarrassing moment for New Orleans and the NFL. The players, who were unsure of what to do were forced to wait on the pitch, where due to the power cut, there was no air conditioning.

At his point I was fuming, as I KNEW this delay would affect the Ravens more (probably because I had money on them to win). Low and behold, as the power finally came back and the game began, something in the air seemed different.

This time It was the San Francisco 49ers who got off to a flyer.

After an 80 yard drive, Kaepernick found Michael Crabtree who broke two tackles to make it 28-13.

Then Flacco was sacked and a short Ravens punt was returned to the Ravens 20 yard line. Frank Gore then completed a 6 yard run for the TD to make it 28-20.

The game had now entered the fourth quarter. Tarell Brown forced and recovered a Ray Rice fumble which led to a 49ers 39 yard field goal that Akers missed. But Ravens Chykie Brown was penalised for running into him, giving Akers a second attempt which he nailed to make it 28-23

By this time it looked like the Gods were now on the 49ers side, the momentum had shifted and I was tearing the little piece of hair I had out……

I was back on twitter where someone hilarious said “how many blackouts do teams get in this super bowl? The Ravens better use theirs now” lol

The Ravens gave me hope on the next play as they moved some 77 yards to the one yard line, but was unable to get into the end zone. They had to settle for a field goal to make it 31-23.

San Francisco came roaring back and took just five plays to score.

Randy Moss’s 32 yard reception and Gore’s 21 yard run set up quarterback kaepernick to register a 15 yard run to the end zone.

That was the longest touchdown run by a quarterback in Super bowl history, and it narrowed the gap to 31-29. However, they failed with a two point conversion to tie the match.

The tension around the stadium was at an all-time high and I could barely look….By this time I had threatened to switch off and go to sleep several times but just couldn’t tear myself away from this amazing spectacle.

Ravens kicker Tucker then kicked a 38 yard field goal following two Boldin receptions and a 22 yard Rice run to make the score 34-29 with 4.19 left in the game.

For the first time in the game, San Francisco had a chance of taking the lead, as they moved to the Ravens 7 yard line with first and goal. After a 2 yard run and two Keaperrick incompletions the 49ers were at fourth and goal.

The tension was just too much; 49ers were within 5 yards of a tremendous comeback and the Ravens were on the verge of a disaster….As time stood still, Keaperrick looked to Crabtree in the end zone but it just evaded him for another incompletion.

The 49ers complained that Ravens defender Jimmy Smith had made contact with Crabtree, but that fell on death ears and the ball went back to the Ravens with 1.46 left in the game.

The Ravens ran the clock down from there on and even conceded an intentional safety.

Ravens punter Sam Koch took the snap and eventually ran out of the end zone, instead of punting to give the 49ers an extra two points to make it  34.31.

That is where the scoring ended to give the Ravens a memorable, thrilling and exciting Super bowl victory…..And me £180 in my pocket, phew, drinks on me!!!!!