This is the February 4, 2013 news archive. View today's AFC North news and rumors.

AFC North News and Rumors

Two-time Super Bowl champion Ray Lewis will likely move to a career in television and his NFL connections won't hurt

nydailynews.com

Considering the baggage Ray Lewis is carrying into new endeavors, which will likely include a big presence on television, it’s fair to wonder: Do his future employers care how an audience perceives any negativity surrounding him? The answer is a resound…

CNNSI.com

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The blackout at the Superdome will not stop the Super Bowl from returning to New Orleans.

Sean Newell, deadspin.com

That one play saved hundreds of thousands of dollars for furniture shoppers and, more importantly, it gave Gardiner's Furniture a truckload of free advertising. The deal went like this: If you shopped in the store between January 31 and 3 p.m. Super Bow…

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

When attending the Super Bowl, it’s difficult to watch much/any of the pregame coverage. There’s a specific portion of the Super Bowl XLVII pregame coverage that was difficult to watch for other reasons. As the network televising the game, CBS had an …

Bedel Saget, nytimes.com

Despite a furious comeback, San Francisco's dreams were dashed after four plays in the waning minutes of Sunday's Super Bowl.

Associated Press, ESPN.com

Rookie linebacker Brandon Joiner has been activated by the Cincinnati Bengals after completing a prison term.

Associated Press, ESPN.com

Baltimore is in party-planning mode a day after the Ravens' Super Bowl victory.

Kevin Kaduk, yahoo.com

Was it boogeying down Bourbon Street? Cutting a rug to live music on Frenchman? Antiquing its way through Magazine? The whereabouts of the Lombardi Trophy after the Baltimore Ravens won it on Sunday night may never be known, but it would seem the new Su…

David Roher, deadspin.com

Twitter reports that the Super Bowl generated 24 million tweets last night. Most of them were terrible, so I just looked at the ones that said "fuck." More »

Evan Silva, profootballtalk.com

The Baltimore Ravens have just over a month to bask on the glory of their football world championship. The free agency period will open on March 12, and G.M. Ozzie Newsome has likely already begun assessing the state of his team, which is littered with …

ESPN.com

NEW ORLEANS -- The face of the franchise is gone. The schedule is tougher. But those aren't the only changes for the Baltimore Ravens in 2013. If the Ravens become the first repeat Super Bowl champions in eight years, they will likely do it with a young…

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

Another season came to an end with the Ravens’ 34-31 win on Sunday night and we’ll take every minute of thinking about it rather than contemplating the prospect of months without any games at all. Erik Kuselias, Mike Florio and Ross Tucker will put a …

Brian Burke, deadspin.com

Super Bowl XLVII turned out to be a close game that hinged on a few critical plays at the end-shocking, given the score when the power went out. But it also hinged on decisions that didn't seem very significant at the time but ended up having an enormou

Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com

During the Super Bowl XLVII power outage, Ravens coach John Harbaugh spent a couple minutes shouting at a stadium official on the sideline, and he also yelled at the on-field officials. At his press conference on Monday morning, Harbaugh said he went to…

Associated Press, ESPN.com

The Baltimore Ravens' victory over the San Francisco 49ers has set a record for highest overnight ratings in Super Bowl history.

Dom Cosentino, deadspin.com

So, wait. Let's make sure we have this straight: More »

Barry Petchesky, deadspin.com

When the Ravens intentionally took a safety, to give themselves better field position and run a few seconds off the clock, it brought the 49ers to within three points. It was the smart call, but it also raised the possibility of the rarest of all footba…

Evan Silva, profootballtalk.com

In Sunday night’s Super Bowl XLVII loss to the Ravens, 49ers wide receiver Randy Moss was the intended target of quarterback Colin Kaepernick on a second-quarter pass that was easily intercepted by safety Ed Reed. In Moss’ defense, Kaepernick’s thro…

Evan Brunell, deadspin.com

One of the highlights of last night's Super Bowl broadcast was watching John Harbaugh berate a poor old man during the 34-minute power outage. We don't know who the old guy was, but we assume he was some kind of stadium official. Like the rest of Americ…

ESPN.com

Courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information, here's a look at some numbers for Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, who won the Super Bowl in the final game of his 17-year career: 1 -- The only player in NFL history to amass 40 sacks and 30 interceptions in a care…

Tom Ley, deadspin.com

Hate Ray Lewis? Then the above video might make you feel a bit better about having to watch him end his career as a Super Bowl champion last night. In 1992, Lewis competed in the Florida 4A high school wrestling state championship, and he lost. More »

Jeffri Chadiha, ESPN.com

Ray Lewis' greatest contribution to the Ravens' victory was the inspiration he provided.

ESPN.com

Steelers linebacker James Harrison congratulated his archrival Ravens for their Super Bowl victory, but he did have an ulterior motive. This is what Harrison had to say on his Facebook account: Congratulations to the Baltimore Ravens. Thanks for keep us…

Don Banks, CNNSI.com

NEW ORLEANS -- Having snapped the NFC's three-year Super Bowl winning streak, but continued the NFL's recent trend of seeing a lower-seeded hot team ride postseason momentum all the way to the parade-planning stage, the Baltimore Ravens stand astride th…

Jay Busbee, yahoo.com

With less than three minutes remaining in the Super Bowl and the 49ers on the move, there wasn't a person watching the game who didn't believe we were about to see San Francisco score. Down just five points after being down 22 at the half, the 49ers had…

CNNSI.com

NEW ORLEANS (AP) NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the Superdome had a backup power system that was about to be used during the Super Bowl electrical outage but it wasn't needed because power started coming back at that time.

ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com

Following the 49ers' loss to the Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII, San Francisco running back Frank Gore claimed that the newly crowned champions "got away with one."

Evan Silva, profootballtalk.com

Mike Garafolo of USA Today reports that Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata was spotted walking through the team hotel on Monday without crutches. Ngata said he’s “feeling better” after suffering a left knee injury in Sunday night’s Super Bowl X…

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

You couldn’t throw a rock the last month or so without hitting a member of the Ravens raving about linebacker Ray Lewis‘ leadership qualities. As a result, Lewis didn’t need to do much to cement his reputation in that regard this weekend. His teamma…

Kevin Kaduk, yahoo.com

There wasn't much sleep to be had for the Baltimore Ravens and their fans on Sunday night/Monday morning after winning the second Super Bowl title in franchise history. There was, however, plenty of opportunities to party and dance around New Orleans. R…

Dom Cosentino, deadspin.com

There was certainly more idiotic revelry taking place in the Federal Hill section of Baltimore last night, but a consolation prize may be in order for this genius. I mean, what must this person have been thinking, filming a ridiculous moment like that v…

ESPN.com

NEW ORLEANS -- Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco didn't just win the Super Bowl Sunday night. He gained all of the leverage in the upcoming contract negotiations. The Ravens don't have to sign Flacco to a new deal this year. But they need to do it. The Rave…

Drew Magary, deadspin.com

I avoided the pregame shows yesterday. This isn't unusual. I never watch pregame shows for the same reason YOU never watch pregame shows. I showed up at my friend's house just as they were getting ready for Alicia Keys to spend eight minutes doing a nat…

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

Quarterback Joe Flacco’s contract status has gotten plenty of attention and the future plans of safety Ed Reed have plenty of people curious, but those aren’t the only decisions facing the Ravens this offseason. A pair of linebackers are also heading …

Emma Carmichael, deadspin.com

Baltimore's Federal Hill raged in "mostly peaceful" celebrations last night, with only one recorded near broken back on the corner of East Cross Street and This Seemed Like A Really Good Idea Five Minutes Ago Boulevard. More »

Lynn Zinser, nytimes.com

It started out as a Ravens romp. Then the lights went out. And then the 49ers staged a comeback that fell short. No doubt about it, it was a strange night at the Superdome.

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

After the end of the 49ers’ 34-31 loss to the Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII, their coach Jim Harbaugh started his press conference by saying he believed that the team should have gotten a fresh set of downs at the end of the fourth quarter because wide rec…

Barry Petchesky, deadspin.com

These prophetic words were written way back in September, before the Eagles' Week 2 home opener at Lincoln Financial Field: More »

ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com

San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh criticized the officials for what he believed was a pivotal non-call in the final minutes of his team's Super Bowl loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

A look at how the Bills are installing the systems run by coach Doug Marrone. Watching the Super Bowl and thinking about the Dolphins. Will the Patriots help open up the 2013 season? You can probably guess the conclusion of an analysis of the Jets quart…

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

Ravens cornerback Cary Williams called shoving a ref “a reaction,” and said he didn’t know who he was moving out of the pile during the second quarter fight that would have drawn more attention if it wasn’t followed by a brownout. But he also call…

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

49ers cornerback Chris Culliver became a lot better known during Super Bowl week thanks to his negative take on the idea of having a homosexual teammate and he garnered more attention for the wrong reasons on the field Sunday. Culliver was targeted ofte…

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

The sun is creeping up over the Mississippi in New Orleans, and Ed Reed might still be partying. The Ravens safety and area native was among the most ebullient players (among many) on their side, with a big cigar clenched in his teeth and at one point b…

Brian McIntyre, yahoo.com

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco walked away with Most Valuable Player honors, but wide receiver/return specialist Jacoby Jones had a hand in seven of the 18 Super Bowl records that were set or tied in the Ravens' 34-31 win over the San Francisco…

CNNSI.com

The Niners talk about their tough 34-31 loss to the Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII.

CNNSI.com

The Ravens react after their 34-31 win over the Niners in Super Bowl XLVII.

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

In recent years, it’s become something of a tradition for someone from the losing team of a playoff game to contend that the final score was not indicative of who was the better team. Sometimes it’s a matter of the losing team beating itself and somet…

ESPN.com

NEW ORLEANS -- The Ravens are Super Bowl champions, and Joe Flacco is the MVP. Everyone saw that one coming, right? Obviously not me. I'm the one writer at ESPN.com who didn't pick the Ravens to make the playoffs in our preseason predictions. But this w…

George Bretherton, nytimes.com

San Francisco fell behind in each of its last five games, including the playoffs, a sign of a defense that was far from dominant.

Ashley Fox, ESPN.com

After his priceless performance, Ravens' MVP is poised to cash in

CNNSI.com

There's no way to quantify belief, but you know it when you see it, and Baltimore had it Sunday. Behind their unflappable coach and QB, the Ravens were truly destiny's children.

nydailynews.com

There was perhaps no more appropriate way for Ray Lewis to bring his 17-year NFL career to a close than a nerve-wracking stand in the red zone to preserve victory in Super Bowl XLVII. A bizarre power outage struck the Superdome early in the third quarte…

CNNSI.com

Ray Lewis is a polarizing player. But there is no denying the Ravens followed him all the way to the winner's podium, says Don Banks, wrapping up his career like few ever have.

nydailynews.com

The lights finally get turned out for good on the San Francisco 49ers in the right corner of the end zone, on fourth-and-5 with under two minutes to play and the 49ers down five points.

nydailynews.com

We don’t really know how things went in the backyard when they were kids but on Sunday night, in the biggest backyard brawl of their lives, John Harbaugh got the jump on his brother Jim. Super Bowl XVLII was a two-way game of momentum, finally shut off …

Jay Busbee, yahoo.com

Sure, we all know who won Super Bowl XLVII. But what you may not know are the answers to some of the questions that cropped up as we watched the Baltimore Ravens defeat the San Francisco 49ers. Fear not, friends, because unlike the Superdome lights, we'…

CNNSI.com

After a furious rally, the 49ers are left to wonder what-if after a last drive came up just short. The players say the failure to score will sting for a long while, reports Jim Trotter.

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

With all the advances made by NFL offenses in recent years, there had been only one title game in league history in which both teams scored 30 or more points.  Before tonight. The first came in Super Bowl XIII, when the Steelers beat the Cowboys, 35-31.…

ESPN.com

NEW ORLEANS -- No one can doubt the Baltimore Ravens anymore. The Ravens claimed their place in NFL history with one of the most magical and improbable runs in recent memory. The 34-31 triumph over the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl was the crown…

Peter King, CNNSI.com

NEW ORLEANS -- Quick thoughts on a great, fun, twilight-lit, dramatic Super Bowl:

Associated Press, ESPN.com

A power outage at the Super Bowl put the nation's biggest sporting event on hold for more than a half-hour Sunday, interrupting an otherwise electric game that ended with Joe Flacco and the Ravens as NFL champions thanks to a 34-31 victory over the 49er…

Isaac Rauch, deadspin.com

The power outage tonight in the Superdome created 34 minutes of awkward television and some truly dreamlike sports photography. We've collected the best from the Associated Press and Getty. Top photo by Evan Vucci/AP. More »

Maggie Hendricks, yahoo.com

Joe Flacco led the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl victory, and won the MVP. In celebrating with his teammates, Flacco let some unsavory words fly. Warning: This is unedited video with expletives. The CBS cameras caught Flacco with his guard down at a …

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

A jubilant Ray Lewis bounced to his post-game interview podium, yelling across the room to teammate Ray Rice, “Raymond, we did it.” And while the Ravens linebacker has never shied away from attention, he said going out with a Super Bowl win before his…

grantland.com

In case you were busy being the guy who doesn't watch the Super Bowl (and good on you, hero), here's what you missed in sports over the weekend. Oh ...