The media have explored just about every angle possible regarding the Super Bowl XLVII matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers. One angle that is interesting to take a look at is the contrasting offenses each team runs. Going even deeper, each team represents an entirely different breed of quarterback. In Baltimore you have the strong-armed, pocket-passing Joe Flacco and San Francisco has the quick footed, multi-dimensional Colin Kaepernick.

Baltimore runs a fairly balanced offense that relies on power running to establish the deep ball that Flacco can complete with stunning accuracy. The 49ers employ a much more diverse offense. The looks can be anything from a power-I formation or “Jumbo” package to the Pistol “read-option” attack that features Kaepernick and running back LaMichael James as legitimate running threats.

Essentially, while these teams have a ton in common (head coaches named Harbaugh, power running backs, strong-armed quarterbacks, and punishing defenses to name a few), this matchup pits “old school” vs. “new school.” Kaepernick presents that multi-dimensional threat that is present in the rising young quarterbacks in the game such as: Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Robert Griffin III, and Cam Newton. Kaepernick set the record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a game in the divisional round against the Green Bay Packers, while Flacco torched the Broncos for 331 yards and three touchdowns. Flacco has one of the best arms in the game and has caught fire in the postseason, averaging 9.2 yards per attempt. The only quarterback who has a better average in the postseason? Colin Kaepernick.

To further cement the fact that these two are the best quarterbacks playing right now, Flacco and Kaepernick are  in passer rating in the postseason respectively.

While both teams have dynamically different offenses, both are capable of hitting a home run play at any time. Kaepernick can do it with his arms or his legs while Flacco can hit the speedy wide receiver Torrey Smith or the big-bodied Anquan Boldin. The key for both teams despite having such big-play quarterbacks is to establish the running game. The 49ers can do so in a number of ways, by powering it with Frank Gore or with Kaepernick and James on the option.

The Ravens can power it with running back Ray Rice and have a nice one-cut runner in Bernard Pierce as well. Either way, the team that has the more balanced attack will likely also have the more dynamic attack. Going against these two stout defenses, the more dynamic offense will be the one that comes on top victorious.