This will be an intriguing running back battle as two of the games toughest and smartest take the field at the Super Dome on Sunday. It will be Ray Rice versus Frank Gore in the back field as the San Francisco 49ers take on the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII. Which back will have the bigger game on Sunday? Though the competition is stiff, the answer looks overwhelming lopsided.
Gore.
He has been consistent, or at least more consistent than Rice has, so far in the playoff. Gore added 119 yards and a touchdown to Colin Kaepernick's 181 rushing yards in the NFC Divisional Game against the Green Bay Packers. He then handled business against the Atlanta Falcons staying within double digits with 91 yards rushing, but scoring two touchdowns, one being the eventual game-winner.
Rice was dominant in one game and that came against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Game. He rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown in that matchup. He was kept in check by the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots totaling 116 yards and a touchdown in both games combined.
The Colts didn't even have a tough running defense. Now he'll be facing the 49ers defense that held opponents to a combined 185 yards on the ground through their first two games in the playoffs.
Gore can feast on the Ravens who have given up a total of 385 yards on the ground, that's an average of 128 yards rushing per game.
There is no doubt both backs will be hungry, but Gore seems more efficient in big game situations as he closed out the scoring against the Falcons and put up both of his touchdowns in the second half.
During the regular season, Gore and Rice were ranked 10th and 11th yards rushing as they finished with 1,214 and 1,143 respectively. Gore scored eight touchdowns and Rice finished the season with nine.
The Ravens' defense will have to watch out with Gore and big runs as he took seven carries for 20 yards or more.
Also to keep in mind, the 49ers pistol offense will more than likely draw confusion in the Ravens' defense line, which should create gaps for both Gore and Kaepernick, if the quarterback decides to run the ball.
The rush will be important for both teams as their quarterbacks will have to show a balanced attack. Both teams have deadly defensive players that could kill the opposing QBs.
Agree or disagree? Who do you think will have the better running game?
Follow me on Twitter @Frankie_SWR.
