Super Bowl 47 was an instant classic. Even the lead-up to the matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers was filled with intrigue.
For the first time in NFL history, two head coaches who were brothers, John and Jim Harbaugh, were set to square off on the game’s biggest stage. Let’s revisit the outcome and more from Super Bowl 47, also known as the “Harbaugh Bowl.”
We’ll also preview the historic matchup between the brothers on Sunday Night Football in Week 12 between the Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers.
What Is the Harbaugh Bowl?
While the historic element of the two brother’s squaring off was fun for the media leading up to the game, the drama that unfolded on the field during the game was just as legendary.
The family affair didn’t just stop between Jim and John, though. Jay Harbaugh — Jim’s son and John’s nephew — was also on the Ravens’ coaching staff for the game, putting three coaches from the same blood on the field together for the first time in NFL history.
Who Won the Harbaugh Bowl?
The Ravens defeated the 49ers 34–31, handing San Francisco its first Super Bowl loss in franchise history. Baltimore controlled much of the game as it got out to a 28-6 lead with a kickoff return touchdown by Jacoby Jones to open the second half.
However, San Francisco did make a rally, scoring 17 unanswered points in the third quarter to cut the Ravens’ lead to 28-23. With the Ravens leading late in the game, 34-29, the 49ers drove down to the Baltimore seven-yard line but turned the ball over on downs, which sealed their fate and secured a victory for the Ravens.
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Baltimore QB Joe Flacco was awarded Super Bowl MVP after finishing the game with 287 passing yards, three touchdowns, and a 124.2 passer rating.
Who Turned the Lights Out?
Probably the biggest reason why this Super Bowl, in particular, is so memorable was due to the fact it turned into the Blackout Bowl. Following Jones’ kick-return touchdown to start the second half, there was a partial power outage in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, suspending play for 34 minutes.
It was at that point in the return to action that San Francisco began to mount its comeback and went on its 17-point unanswered run. The power outage had fans on social media going wild with conspiracy theories, and when the moment began to look like the turning point for a 49ers comeback, the conversations got wild.
When asked about the situation and the assumption it may have helped the 49ers rally back, the Ravens coach shrugged it off as no big deal.
“Both teams had to deal with it,” the Baltimore coach said. “I thought they dealt with it better, obviously. They were able to turn the momentum of the game. [But] you know what the turning point of the game was? When we covered the ball on the last play.”
Ultimately, the Ravens hung on to their lead and came out victorious, but it wasn’t before one of the wildest sequences in Super Bowl history.
Who Will Win the Harbaugh Bowl Rematch?
After a memorable battle between the Harbaugh brothers in Super Bowl 47, they are set to face off once again in Week 12 on Sunday Night Football. Both brothers have led their respective teams to an impressive start in 2024.
While John is still head coach of the Ravens, Jim is exceeding expectations in his first season as head coach of the Chargers. The 7-3 Chargers will host the 7-4 Ravens on Sunday night in a monumental battle for the AFC playoff race.
The Chargers are 4-1 at home this season, with first-year defensive coordinator Jesse Minter leading a stout defensive unit. Meanwhile, Baltimore’s offense is scorching hot and currently ranked second in the NFL, averaging 30.4 points per game.
While many believed the Chargers would endure a rebuilding year in Jim’s first season, Los Angeles is clearly in the playoff hunt. Sunday night’s matchup could go a long way in deciding seeding in the postseason.