Fifteen minutes in, Ravens lead 7-3

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The first XXV percent of Super Bowl XLVII have been played, and it’s a good game so far.

The Niners started with a three and out that came after a penalty wiped out a 20-yard gain on the first snap.  The Ravens then drove for a touchdown, the 49ers responded with a long drive that could have tied the game but for an inaccurate throw from quarterback Colin Kaepernick to receiver Michael Crabtree, and the Ravens moved into San Fran territory before the last drive of the opening quarter petered out.

Even though Baltimore didn’t score on their most recent drive, the effort featured three plays from quarterback Joe Flacco that highlight his value to the team.  He made a back-foot throw under pressure that somehow made it into the arms of tight end Dennis Pitta.  Later, Flacco sprinted to the right away from pressure and threw an eephus ball that Anquan Boldin caught for a long gain.  On the next snap, Flacco deftly eluded a pair of defenders in the backfield to get rid of the ball for a short gain.

Flacco has completed six of nine passes for 77 yards and a touchdown.