Veteran and embattled kicker David Akers missed a 51-yard game tying field goal attempt in the closing moments of the San Francisco 49ers' 27-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday night.
The game was close throughout; as the two teams matched each other score for score in the first half.
The 49ers struck first when second year quarterback Colin Kaepernick evaded a a pursuing Terrell Suggs and took the ball 25 yards down the field and into the endzone to put the Niners up 7-0 in the first quarter.
However it was a costly drive for the 49ers as they lost running back Frank Gore to an injury when he was tackled for a loss by Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. This forced the 49ers to rely more on Kaepernick.
The Ravens would strike right back as Baltimore running back Ray Rice took the ball across the goal line to knot the game at seven apiece. In an MVP winning performance, Rice ran the ball well against the Niners' vaunted defense, gaining 135 yards on 24 carries with two touchdowns.
The Ravens led 17-14 at the break, but San Francisco scored 10 unanswered points to start the second half and led 24-17 going into the fourth quarter.
Kaepernick threw for 185 yards and ran for 67 yards, but made a huge mistake on third-and-15 midway through the fourth quarter when veteran receiver Randy Moss got past the Ravens' defense and Kaepernick's pass sailed a few yards beyond Moss' outstretched hands and directly into the open arms of Baltimore's Ed Reed.
The turnover would setup the game-winning touchdown drive for the Ravens, as Joe Flacco led the team 68 yards downfield for the score. He was 5-for-5 on the drive and connected with tight end Dennis Pitta for the touchdown to give the Ravens a 27-24 lead with three minutes remaining in the championship game.
Flacco improved to 9-4 in playoff games and went 19-of-27 for 197 yards with one touchdown and an interception.
The 49ers still had a shot at the tying the game when Ted Ginn Jr. returned the ball to San Francisco 45-yard line. Kaepernick was able to drive the ball down field and set up Aker's last second attempt, but the ball banged off the upright and was no good.
Ravens' middle linebacker Ray Lewis ends his illustrious NFL career as a two-time Super Bowl champion.
Do you think Madden NFL '13 got tonight's game right? You can check out how our simulation compared to the official EA Sports sim here. In the regular season madden was 27-15 and for the playoffs the simulations are even at 5-5. Don't forget to read about the next edition of the game, Madden NFL 25 here.
Here is a list of Madden NFL 13's simulations for the year...
Week 1
Cowboys Vs. Giants
Week 2
Packers Vs. Bears
49ers Vs. Lions
Broncos Vs. Falcons
Week 3
Giants Vs. Panthers
Patriots Vs. Ravens
Packers Vs. Seahawks
Week 4
Browns Vs. Ravens
Giants Vs. Eagles
Bears Vs. Cowboys
Week 5
Cardinal Vs. Rams
Chargers Vs. Saints
Texans Vs. Jets
Week 6
Steelers Vs. Titans
Packers Vs. Texans
Broncos Vs. Chargers
Week 7
Seahawks Vs. 49ers
Steelers Vs. Bengals
Week 8
Buccaneers Vs. Vikings
49ers Vs. Cardinals
Week 9
Chiefs Vs. Chargers
Cowboys Vs. Falcons
Eagles Vs. Saints
Week 10
Colts Vs. Jaguars
Texans Vs Bears
Chiefs Vs Steelers
Week 11
Miami Vs. Buffalo
49ers Vs. Bears
Week 12
Redskins Vs. Cowboys
Patriots Vs. Jets
Packers Vs. Giants
Panthers Vs. Eagles
Week 13
Saints Vs. Falcons
Eagles Vs. Cowboys
Giants Vs. Redskins
Week 14
Broncos Vs. Raiders
Texans Vs. Patriots
Week 15
Bengals Vs. Eagles
49ers Vs. Patriots
Titans Vs. Jets
Week 16
N/A
Week 17
Cowboys Vs Redskins
Playoffs Wildcard Round
Bengals Vs. Texans
Vikings Vs. Packers
Colts Vs. Ravens
Seahawks Vs. Redskins
Playoffs Divisional Round
Ravens Vs. Broncos
Packers Vs. 49ers
Seahawks Vs. Falcons
Texans Vs. Patriots
Championship Round
49ers Vs. Falcons
Ravens Vs. Patriots
Super Bowl XLVII
Ravens Vs. 49ers
