Super Bowl XLVII

Super Bowl XLVII
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Event information
MVP	Joe Flacco
Date	February 3, 2013
Event	Super Bowl XLVII
Teams	San Francisco 49ers; Baltimore Ravens
Location	Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Final score	Ravens 34, 49ers 31

Super Bowl XLVII was the 47th Super Bowl game, played on February 3, 2013, between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens defeated the 49ers 34–31 in a tightly contested game held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Joe Flacco was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

Super Bowl XLVII is remembered for its back-and-forth scoring and late-game performances, with both teams delivering key drives in the second half. The game matched the San Francisco 49ers against the Baltimore Ravens after each advanced through the 2012 NFL postseason. In addition to the on-field action, the contest is notable in the franchise histories of John Harbaugh and Jim Harbaugh, who coached the respective teams as brothers.

Background and teams

The 2012 NFL season led to a postseason in which Baltimore secured a spot in the Super Bowl by winning the AFC Championship Game. The 49ers earned their Super Bowl berth by winning the NFC Championship Game, positioning them for a matchup featuring two strong defenses and balanced offensive attacks. The Ravens’ quarterback, Joe Flacco, and the 49ers’ quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, each played pivotal roles for their teams.

Super Bowl XLVII also brought together a prominent coaching storyline: Baltimore’s John Harbaugh and San Francisco’s Jim Harbaugh became the first brothers to coach against each other in a Super Bowl. The matchup further highlighted the league’s competitive parity that year, with both franchises entering the game as well-prepared contenders.

Game summary

The Ravens and 49ers exchanged leads throughout Super Bowl XLVII, with scoring drives alternating between both teams. The game remained competitive into the fourth quarter, as Baltimore managed the clock and maintained pressure on San Francisco’s offense while the 49ers fought to stay within striking distance.

Baltimore’s offense leaned on Flacco’s downfield passing and sustained drives that translated into points. Meanwhile, the 49ers’ offense, powered by Colin Kaepernick, generated momentum through efficient play and critical gains when the game tightened. Late in the contest, the Ravens’ ability to respond after setbacks proved decisive in securing the lead during the final stretch.

Key performances and statistics

Joe Flacco earned Super Bowl XLVII’s Most Valuable Player award for his performance as Baltimore’s quarterback, including leadership during crucial scoring opportunities. Several plays from the Ravens highlighted a blend of pass protection, route execution, and situational decision-making.

For San Francisco, Kaepernick’s mobility and passing decisions were central to the 49ers’ offensive production. The game’s final margin reflected the close balance between the teams’ respective strengths, with multiple drives producing points. The contest also demonstrated the impact of turnovers and red-zone execution, factors that often determine Super Bowl outcomes.

Venue, production, and ceremonies

Super Bowl XLVII took place at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. The Superdome has hosted numerous major events, and its selection reflected the city’s established capacity for large-scale sports and entertainment programming.

As with other Super Bowls, the event included league-standard broadcast and halftime programming. The game’s staging and coverage were part of the broader Super Bowl tradition of wide national and international viewership, with the NFL using the occasion to promote marquee performers and entertainment segments.

Aftermath

With the win, the Baltimore Ravens added another championship to their franchise achievements and continued the team’s status as a regular Super Bowl contender during that era. The result also shaped the following season’s narrative for both organizations, influencing roster decisions, coaching evaluations, and long-term team building.

Super Bowl XLVII became a point of reference in discussions of quarterback performance and late-game management, particularly around Joe Flacco and the contrast between Baltimore’s execution and San Francisco’s response. It also remains a memorable Super Bowl due to the Harbaugh brothers’ unique coaching matchup.