Feb 1, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; A general view of the Vince Lombardi Trophy and the helmets for the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers at the commissioner

Well it seems as if everybody else has made a prediction for Super Bowl XLVII, so why not me? So for the sake of this article, call me “The Swami”. No, really! Seriously. STOP LAUGHING!!!!

I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that the winning coach’s last name will be Harbaugh. OK so it’s more like a popsicle stick than a limb.

In all seriousness, the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers are almost mirror images of each other. So much so that this sets up to be one of the most physical Super Bowls ever played. Both teams get after the QB and are very opportunistic when it comes to creating turnovers (and there is no way I’m going to give you the cliche’ line about winning the turnover battle…DUH!). Both defenses have the ability to get to the QB with just their front four; leaving more helmets underneath for pass coverage. Lastly, neither are particularly consistent in stopping the run but get stingy when it matters most. Both offenses have a big, athletic, physical front which are able to protect the QBs and open up holes in the running game. That said, both teams have been able to run the ball with a measure of success.

“What is going to be the difference in this game?” you ask. Good question! Aside from the aforementioned turnover battle, I think this game is going to be decided by the “French” Quarterbacks (see what I did there?) and special teams.

Quarterbacks: The styles of the two signal callers, Joe Flacco and Colin Kaepernick are stark. Flacco is a big, strong, upright pocket passer with a big arm who is able to keep plays alive by shrugging off would-be tacklers. Kaepernick, also pretty big and strong can beat you from the pocket or pulling the ball down and taking off with it. Flacco has not thrown an interception since Week 15 against the Denver Broncos. New offensive coordinator, Jim Caldwell has taken the chains off and has allowed him to use that big arm to unleash a dangerous vertical passing game. In three playoff games, Flacco has 8 TD passes and no INTs. That kind of ball protection will force the 49ers to make the most of their offensive possessions. Kaepernick led the Niners to wins in their two playoff games in two different fashions. Against the Green Bay Packers, he rushed for a QB playoff record 181 yards and 2 TDs. The following week agains the Atlanta Falcons, he stayed in the pocket and threw for 233 yds with 1 TD. I think both have the physical traits to lead their respective teams to the championship. Thus, whichever QB handles the big moment with more poise probably wins this thing.

Special Teams: This is where Harbaugh paved his path to a head coaching job…oh yeah, John Harbaugh that is. Despite giving up a record 256 return yards and 2 TDs to Denver’s Trindan Holliday in the divisional round, the Ravens’ special teams are usually very reliable. There are many times when they are down-right explosive. Jacoby Jones is arguably the best KR/PR in the NFL and is always a threat to break one for a quick score. If this game comes down to a field goal, Justin Tucker has shown that he is one of the most accurate kickers in this, his rookie season. As for the Niners, they have a game-breaking return man of their own in Ted Ginn, Jr. As you may recall it was a serious case of Fumblitis by the PRs in the 2011 NFC title game that kept San Fran out of Super Bowl XLVI. One would think that this will not enter the minds of Ginn and/or Delanie Walker, but the mind can reek havoc. As for the kicking game, the once reliable David Akers has mysteriously come down with a case of Cundiff-itis.

So in my final analysis I think the 49ers are a more attractive pick on paper; an opinion which is supported by the Las Vegas oddsmakers. However as we painfully found out on January 12th, this game is not played on paper. As the Maryland locals and media like to proclaim, the Ravens do seem like they are a “Team of Destiny”. That said: Baltimore 27, San Francisco 24

Bonus prediction: MVP – Joe Flacco

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Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana stars in a Sketchers commercial this year. (USA Today Sports)

Nearly 111 million Americans will sit down to watch the Super Bowl this year, and most are just as interested in watching the commercials as they are the big game. While entertaining for us, an afternoon spent in front of the television can cost companies major bucks in advertising. For a 30-second spot during the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens game, companies have to shell out $3.8 million to $4 million. CBS drives a hard deal.

During the first Super Bowl in 1967, it was $42,000 for a 30-second spot.

Every year, more and more companies release their Super Bowl commercials early (or at least teasers). In some cases, companies (e.g. Doritos and Audi) will pre-release multiple spots, and let fans vote for their favorite. The winning ad is then aired during the game. Companies will do this to keep a “rolling conversation” going with the consumer since usually viewers forget or stop talking about a Super Bowl ad within 24 hours after it airs.

Ads typically showcase celebrities, sex, and empowerment. More often than not a combination of the three are typically Super Bowl winners.

With that said, here are five of my favorites from the early batch (You can see all of the pre-released commercials here).

Audi – “Prom”

Hyundai – “Team”

Doritos – “Fashionista Daddy”

Taco Bell – “Viva Young”

Fiat – “Date”

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh speaks during a press conference at the Marriott New Orleans after arriving in New Orleans to discuss their upcoming game in Super Bowl XLVII. (Tyler Kaufman-USA TODAY Sports)

Now that the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens are in New Orleans for Super Bowl XVLII, predictions are flying left, right, and center.

The famous Madden 13 video game has made its prediction. Madden has correctly forecasted seven of the last nine Super Bowls.

The EA SPORTS Madden NFL Super Bowl Prediction continues to be one of the most accurate prognosticators of the NFL’s biggest game. The prediction has accurately called seven of the last nine Super Bowls, and was two points away from predicting the exact final score of the 2009 matchup between the Steelers and Cardinals. – Operation Sports

Watch this to see their entertaining call.

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