Ray Lewis The Baltimore Ravens rallied around Ray Lewis to win the Super Bowl for him, but they certainly didn't win it because of him.
At least that's what Trevor Pryce, current CBS Sports Network analyst and former Ravens defensive end, had to say Monday during an appearance on The Jim Rome Show.
"Half of his playoff check should go to Dannell Ellerbe for making that last play on that last fade route," said Pryce, who was teammates with Lewis for five seasons. "The other half to Greg Roman, the 49ers offensive coordinator. ...
"I think (Lewis) played with a case of the nerves. I think he had the yips. I really do."
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To Pryce's point, San Francisco was onto something in playing at Lewis early on during Super Bowl XLVII. On one run to the left, Lewis filled the gap and had a clean shot at Frank Gore, but looked silly when Gore side-stepped him. It was clear, too, that Lewis was no match to cover 49ers tight end Vernon Davis -- or anybody else over the middle for that matter.
But, as Pryce alluded to, the 49ers didn't continue with this plan of attack -- among other bad decisions. And for that, Lewis got away with winning a title before retirement despite playing his worst game of the postseason.
Pryce attributed Lewis' performance to nerves.
"He had it bad; he didn't look like himself, even his new self. Forget his old self, that guy's gone, that guy's named Patrick Willis," Pryce said. "But even the guy he was (in the AFC Championship Game), he wasn't that guy. He had a case of it bad, badly. It was almost like he was just hoping let's get this over with."
Follow Simon Samano on Twitter @sjsamano.
PHOTOS: Ray Lewis through the years 
Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis celebrates after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
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Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) celebrates the Ravens victory in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
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Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis celebrates with Bernie Pollard after a fourth down stop against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
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Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) reacts during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
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Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) directs the defense first quarter in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
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Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) huddles with the team prior to facing the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
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Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, right, celebrates with Vonta Leach after the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots in Foxborough, Mass.
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Ray Lewis celebrates with the Lamar Hunt Trophy in the locker room after the Ravens defeated the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium.
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Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) is tackled by Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) during the first quarter of the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium.
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Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) celebrates after the AFC divisional playoff game against the Broncos at Sports Authority Field. The Ravens won 38-35 in double overtime.
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Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) lines up as Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning gets ready to take the snap during the second quarter of the AFC divisional playoff game at Sports Authority Field.
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Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) in overtime against the Broncos during the AFC divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field. The Ravens defeated the Broncos 38-35 in double overtime.
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Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis pumps up the crowd during a game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Lewis announced that he will retire after 17 seasons with the Ravens.
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After missing the final 10 games of the 2012 regular season, Lewis returned for the Ravens' wild-card playoff matchup against the Colts, his final home game in Baltimore. Lewis' signature entrance gave the 70,000 fans at M&T Bank Stadium goosebumps.
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The heart and soul of the Ravens for 17 seasons, Lewis fires up the team before his final home game.
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Lewis shares a moment with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell before his final home game.
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Lewis brings down Colts tight end Dwayne Allen, one of Lewis' team-high 13 tackles during his final home game.
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Lewis salutes the Baltimore fans after the Ravens defeated the Colts in his final home game.
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The Baltimore crowd pays homage to Lewis during his final home game with the Ravens.
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Tributes to Lewis were all over M&T Bank Stadium during his final home game in Baltimore.
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Ray Lewis, shown here during the game against the Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium, missed 10 games in 2012 with a torn right tricep. Lewis is a 13-time Pro Bowler, seven-time first-team all pro and two-time NFL defensive player of the year.
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Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis enters the field before the game against Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium.
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Ray Lewis comes on to the field during player introductions before game against the Houston Texans.
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Ray Lewis dances before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at M&T Bank Stadium.
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Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) pressures New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the first half of the 2010 AFC Wild Card playoff game at Gillette Stadium.
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Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis is introduced before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium.
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San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) loses control of the ball when he is hit by Baltimore Ravens safety Bawan Landry (26) and linebacker Ray Lewis (52) during the second quarter against the at Qualcomm Stadium.
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Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis enters the field against the Giants. Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY
