NEW ORLEANS, Feb 4 (Reuters) – The National Football League, the Superdome and a utility investigating the cause of a power outage at one of the world’s most watched and meticulously planned events, on Monday exonerated the halftime show from blame in the Super Bowl mishap.

With more than 108 million Americans watching along with television viewers in 180 countries, about half the stadium lights went dark early in the second half of the game, in which the Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 34-31.

NEW ORLEANS, Feb 4 (Reuters) – The National Football League was still working with New Orleans officials on Monday to determine what caused the power outage at Sunday’s Super Bowl at the Superdome, so far dismissing any connection with the Beyonce halftime show.

With a record U.S. television audience watching along with viewers in 180 countries, about half the stadium lights went dark early in the second half of the game, in which the Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 34-31.

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) – The Baltimore Ravens reclaimed the greatest prize in North American sports after a dramatic, nail-biting 34-31 Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Inspired by their power-packed quarterback Joe Flacco, the Ravens survived a ferocious comeback from the 49ers and a bizarre power outage that stopped the game for more than half an hour to win their second Super Bowl.

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) – The power failure that halted Sunday’s Super Bowl might have embarrassed the National Football League (NFL) but the players and coaches took it all in stride.

While not uncommon in sports events played at night, the NFL and New Orleans officials were left red-faced and scrambling for answers after the biggest event on the U.S. sporting calendar was stopped for 35 minutes because of a power outage.

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) – Joe Flacco joined the National Football League’s (NFL) elite with a masterful Super Bowl performance on Sunday, leading his Baltimore Ravens to a 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

The 28-year-old quarterback threw three touchdown passes, all in the first half, without any interceptions, en route to capturing the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the NFL’s title game.

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) – New Orleans was transformed into one massive party on Sunday as the city prepared to host the 47th Super Bowl between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens.

The city’s French Quarter was packed with visiting fans soaking up the atmosphere before the biggest game in American professional sports was due to start at 6:30 ET.

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) – Former Super Bowl winning head coach Bill Parcells was among seven men voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Parcells was joined by six former players, including three first-time nominees, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, the greatest individual honor in the sport.

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) – More than a year after the National Football League (NFL) and the players’ union (NFLPA) reached an agreement to end their bitter labor dispute, deep divisions remain.

They are especially at odds over the introduction of tougher doping tests and penalties for violent actions by players.

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s picture is plastered on the walls of restaurants throughout New Orleans and he has a float dedicated to him in the Mardi Gras parade.

But the National Football League boss is not winning any popularity contests in the Big Easy in the build-up to Sunday’s Super Bowl.

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) – A National Football League (NFL) season where nothing seemed to follow the script has produced a classic Super Bowl encounter with a subplot fit for a Hollywood blockbuster.

Sunday’s game between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens will be the first time in the 47 years of the Super Bowl that two brothers will go head-to-head for the biggest prize in American Football, not on the field, but on the sidelines.