des·ti·ny [des-tuh-nee]
noun: the predetermined, usually inevitable or irresistible, course of events.
Ever since Ray Lewis announced to his team and the media that this would be his last ride, things have been a bit of a fairy tale with the Ravens -- a word rarely used in conjunction with the sport of football.
The Ravens started their playoff run with a win at home over Andrew Luck and the Colts. It was Ray's last home game. Ray's last dance in Baltimore. Next, the Ravens traveled far out west to mile high stadium to face the AP Comeback Player of the Year, Peyton Manning, and the Broncos. In what may have seemed like a miraculous comeback in the midst of the game, Flacco launched a 60+ yard bomb to Jacoby Jones to send the game into overtime. The Ravens went on to wrap that game up after intercepting Manning and kicking a game-winning field goal. Then the Ravens traveled 2000+ miles back east to play Belichick, Brady and the Pats. Being behind 13-7 at half-time and looking up at Tom Brady's, 67-0 record after leading at the half at home, it almost felt like the Pats didn't have a chance once the 2nd half kicked off. They shut Brady and the Patriots out to earn a ticket to Nola.
Sounds a little like destiny.
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| Photo Courtesy: USA Today |
The 49ers journey isn't quite as illustrious, but there's no doubt that they belong where they are. When you look at the 49ers from top to bottom, I think they're a more complete team than the Ravens. Their defense is younger, faster (maybe not quite as wise) and hits just as hard. Kaepernick has silenced doubters (myself included) and is helping to re-write the rules of offense with the likes of RG3, Russell Wilson, and this new class of spread option QB's. Interestingly, he might not have gotten that chance if it weren't for one of the bolder coaching decisions in recent memory by Jim Harbaugh.
Both Jim and John Harbaugh are two of the most inspirational coaches out there, coaching the two toughest teams in the NFL. Their physical toughness is evident, but it's the mental toughness I'm referring to. The message of perseverance through adversity becomes a tangible, yet immeasurable, success metric.
So you've got these two great teams, with these two great coaches, with these two admirable philosophies. How do you pick a winner?
Well, I figure I might mention that I don't actually believe in destiny. I believe that there isn't much, especially in sports, that's predetermined or inevitable. In football, there are a number of factors that lead to success. There's talent. Experience. Passion. Luck. And there's effort.
Unlike most other team sports, the champion is decided in just 60 minutes. One game to leave everything out there and hold nothing back. Among all the factors that go into which team will stand under the lights and the confetti, effort holds more weight than the rest in football.
If there's one player and one team that's in the best position to give it all they've got for all 3600 seconds on the clock, it's Ray Lewis and the Ravens. His effort throughout his career has inspired the players around him -- even players not on his team. Many of those players want this championship for Lewis as much as they do for themselves. I think that's what it boils down to.
Who really wants it the most?
I'll say the Ravens do.
