The 49ers have a rich history of seizing these moments. They are 5-0 in Super Bowls and aiming for a sixth ring, which would tie them with Pittsburgh for the most by any franchise. San Francisco and Dallas are currently tied for second place.
San Francisco has won a Super Bowl in New Orleans before, stomping Denver, 55-10, in Super Bowl XXIV (Jan. 28, 1990). In five Super Bowls, the 49ers have outscored opponents, 188-89.
The Ravens have worn the crown more recently, winning the Super Bowl at the end of the 2000 season.
"We've played in some big games but nothing quite like this, so it will be interesting to see how we'll react," said Flacco, who is one win away from tying New England's Tom Brady for most playoff victories (nine) in his first five seasons.
"I think we have the kind of team, and I think I'm the kind of person, that will handle that pretty well, but you never know until you're put in that situation. I hope that we all just kind of get good, positive feelings from it and it brings our confidence level even higher and we just go out there and play."
So it's Kaepernick and Flacco, the runner and the gunner, two players who — though they won't be on the field at the same time — will be ambassadors of their contrasting styles.
Baltimore's Terrell Suggs, for one, likes the Ravens' chances.
"We'll have to wait and see Sunday," the outspoken linebacker said, "but I know which one is going to show up. Like I said, I'll let y'all be surprised."
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