The Ravens struck first in Super Bowl XLVII, even though it was the 49ers that got the ball first. The Niners started the game with a penalty erasing a long pass to tight end Vernon Davis, then went three-and-out and were forced to punt from the shadow of their own end zone. That gave the Ravens great field position for their first drive, and Baltimore took advantage.
Super Bowl XLVII score: Ravens lead 7-3 after first quarter
The Baltimore Ravens lead the San Francisco 49ers, 7-3, after the first quarter of play.
Super Bowl XLVII: 49ers vs. Ravens
Full coverage of everything from SB Nation! After getting two first downs on only three plays, Joe Flacco found Anquan Boldin in the end zone from the 13-yard line. It was Boldin's fourth touchdown of the playoffs and it set the tone for the first quarter of the NFL's 47th Super Bowl.
The 49ers struck back with a field goal. They drove the length of the field, largely thanks to a 24-yard pass from Colin Kaepernick to Davis that put the Niners within 10 yards of the end zone. However, once they were cornered, the Ravens defense stepped up. They stopped the Niners for no gain on a run, then forced Kaepernick to hurl an errant throw that fell incomplete. On third-and-goal, Kaepernick was sacked by Paul Kruger, and the 49ers settled for a field goal.
The Ravens got the ball back with just a few minutes left in the quarter. Flacco, avoiding pressure in the pocket like he had eyes in the back of his head, was able to avoid pressure again and again and complete passes, including one for a 31-yard gain to Boldin. However, just as time ran out in the quarter, the 49ers were able to sack Flacco on a third-and-long.
The Ravens will be punting the ball to start the second quarter.
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