49ers fans feeling a lot like Raiders fans right about now

For years, 49ers fans have enjoyed sitting on their perch mocking Raiders fans. It's a good feeling to look down upon one's cross bay rival with disdain.

The mocking usually come from the fact that the 49ers had never lost a Super Bowl. Can't say that now. But that is just one of the many things each fan base has in common related to what happened last night.

The way the Ravens beat the 49ers was, in many ways very similar to how the Raiders lost to the Buccaneers ten years ago. Certainly it wasn't to that degree but the pattern was very similar.

The Buccaneers jumped out to a 20-3 halftime lead over the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII. This was in large part due to two Raiders turnovers on Gannon interceptions. The Ravens jumped out to a 21-3 lead over the 49ers before halftime thanks to two 49ers turnovers.

In both cases, the game seemed over before halftime. No team has ever come back from more than 10 points down in a Super Bowl so for all intents and purposes, it was over.

The Raider gave up a touchdown on the Buccaneers' first drive of the second half to fall behind 27-3. The 49ers gave up a touchdown on a second half opening 108-yard kickoff return by Jacoby Jones to fall behind 28-6.

The difference for the 49ers is the lights then went out, killing all the momentum by the Ravens and allowing them to regroup. For the Raiders, the score got worse before it got better.

Both the Raiders and 49ers scored three touchdowns in the second half. But for both teams, they couldn't overcome the other team's lead. The 49ers got a lot closer but closer doesn't win games.

The 49ers had a shot at the end to pull out the win, actually. They were in first and goal inside the ten yard line. Then there were three odd play calls. The 49ers had had success running the ball in this game - whether it be from the running backs or Colin Kaepernick. The Ravens weak area is their run defense and they were without their big man in the middle, Haloti Ngata. But instead of attacking them and going with what had been working, they went away from it and decided to put the ball in the air three straight times.

If this sounds familiar, it's because this is what Raider offensive coordinator, Greg Knapp, was known to do to the Raiders' detriment all last season. That poor play calling got him fired following the season and the same line of reasoning killed the 49ers chances of winning the Super Bowl.

The final play that ended the 49ers chances is also a familiar sting for Raiders fans. It appeared as if 49ers, Michael Crabtree was held on his route on that final play and yet no flag was thrown. There are a great many 49ers fans since last night, and I am sure for a long time to come, who are kicking and screaming about it.

Compare this questionable holding non-call to the tuck rule call and the only way the 49ers fans can really relate is the pain of defeat. This non-call is nowhere in the vicinity of the magnitude of the tuck rule call. Not to mention the Immaculate reception/deception double touch controversy.

This Super Bowl loss might just mend some fences between these bitter Bay Area rivals. 49er fans will have a few less things to hang over Raider fans' heads and a few more shared lamentations. Perhaps they can lament them over a beer (or a few) and some charred meat.

When the pain subsides, 49ers fans may just realize some good came of it. After all, misery loves company. And for nearly 30 years now, no one knows misery quite like Raiders fans.