The New England Patriots and New York Giants square off today in the finale to a wild 2011 NFL season. Super Bowl XLVI kicks off at approximately 3:29pm PT with the Patriots sitting as modest 2 1/2 point favorites over the Giants. The line opened at 3 1/2 but a lot of money has been coming in on the Giants since the line was set.

I actually think this is a game built for the Giants to win. Although the field turf in Indianapolis benefits the Patriots prolific offense, I think the Giants have the combined offense and pass rush to win this game. The Giants secondary won't wow many people against an elite quarterback like Tom Brady, but their pass rush could slow him down just enough to keep this game manageable.

As for the Giants offense, I think they have a much better chance of shredding the Patriots swiss cheese secondary than Joe Flacco and the Ravens did. On that turf against that secondary, I think Eli Manning and his band of receivers do some big things tonight. When asked for a prediction, I've gone with the Giants winning 41-37. That would be the highest combined point total in Super Bowl history, so it is possible I'm over-looking something. And yet, when looking at this matchup in this context, I see a fairly wild shootout unfolding. I'm sure that guarantees a 17-14 game, but I'll stick with my shootout pick.

If you are not in front of a television for the game, but still want to watch, NBC Sports is offering a free live online stream of the game for the first time ever. Head over to NBCSports.com to watch the stream.

The good news is that in a few hours, the 2011 NFL season will be over and we can fully look ahead to the excitement of 2012. 2011 was a huge year for the 49ers and hopefully 2012 will only be bigger!

While professional athletes do make big bucks, you generally don't hear them talk about playing for money or the importance of the money. In fact, they generally try and do the opposite, talking about how it's not about the money and how they play for the love of the game and so forth.

For one day, we get a little bit of refreshing honesty. The 2012 Pro Bowl gets going in just a little bit and players are more than willing to acknowledge that this game is in fact about the money. 49ers long snapper Brian Jennings conducted some interviews earlier in the week and had a great one with Andy Lee. Jennings asked Lee about his expectations for the game and Lee said he hopes the NFC doesn't punt because if they don't punt they're probably playing well, and if they win they get paid more.

The 49ers are well-represented this week, even with some guys dropping out. As should be expected, the 49ers have a host of defensive players with Justin Smith and Patrick Willis leading the way. Joe Staley is the primary offensive player with Frank Gore sitting out. And then of course, special teams is well represented. It is interesting to note that the 49ers and Raiders both sent their kickers, punters and long snappers. Both teams have their punter hold on field goals and extra points, so it is not surprising the long snappers are making the trip.

If you're jones'ing for some football, the Pro Bowl will be broadcast on NBC, with kickoff scheduled for just after 4:00pm PT. If you don't have access to a television, the game will be streamed online through nbcsports.com as well. The Super Bowl will also be streamed online as the NFL makes a little bit more live content available online. It sure would be nice if they figured out more options for viewing regular season games online.

While we sit and wait for the 49ers and Giants to get going this afternoon, the Patriots and Ravens do battle starting at 12:00pm pacific time on CBS. The 49ers and Giants get going at 3:30pm PT, so Patriots-Ravens should be wrapped up by then.

The Patriots are getting a lot of love from fans and from the oddsmakers, but as I said yesterday, I think the Ravens actually will win this game. I think the Ravens defense is strong enough to handle the Patriots offense, and I think the Ravens offense, while inconsistent, can do more than enough against what I consider to be a truly awful Patriots defense. But, I've had a pretty awful week of sports gambling in Las Vegas, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. I will NOT be betting on the 49ers as I have never found that to be a wise idea.

This should actually be an intriguing game because of the various matchups. Aside from just Patriots offense versus Ravens defense, Joe Flacco and the Ravens passing attack will need to figure something out. If they can find some manner of consistency today, I think they pull this one out.

We'll be back at approximately 2:00pm PT with the 49ers-Giants inactives and then the first open thread at approximately 3:15pm PT.

This is the main event of the day. The winner of this game faces the 49ers next week for the right to go to Indianapolis to play in the Super Bowl. The Packers and Giants square off in Lambeau Field in a rematch of their crazy regular season contest at the Meadowlands. The Packers escaped with a 38-35 victory on a last second field goal.

I'm not quite so sure I expect a similar result today. Whatever my desire is for the 49ers next playoff game, I think the Packers win by about ten today. They are back home and had some time to rest and recuperate. They had as much need for that bye week as anybody with some of their injuries.

The Packers sit as 7 1/2 point favorites and are getting back a key weapon in the form of Greg Jennings. If he can get on track, that is a huge weapons for them. They have been without Jennings for the past month, so getting him back is a big help for Aaron Rodgers.

The Giants are a bit banged up after last week's roll-up of the Atlanta Falcons, but they'll be all hands on deck for the game. Ahmad Bradshaw has missed some practice time, but said he will play today. This is not really a game you sit out barring a significant medical issue.

Does anybody see a Giants upset at Lambeau Field?

We get two more games of football, and if one of them is half of what we saw in the final few minutes of the 49ers win over the Saints, it'll be a fun day. And even if not, I might very well be too exhausted to care. I'll have the game on, but for this morning game, it is more just a matter of taking some time to relax and kick back.

This first game features a Texans squad that does have a strong defense and Arian Foster, but somehow still seems at times to be put together by duct tape and not much else. That's a gross exaggeration, but they remain a funky team. I don't think they stand much of a chance in Baltimore, but I will continue to cheer them on hopes that they can spring the upset.

T.J. Yates is going to need to make some plays against an always tough Baltimore Ravens defense. Arian Foster and the Texans defense will get their opportunities, but if Yates struggles too much, the Texans could be in trouble quickly.

We'll be back around 1:15 with a Packers-Giants thread. In the meantime, if you want more 49ers content, after the jump I've posted transcripts for all the 49ers post-game interviews. Enjoy.

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There really is no shying away from what was the biggest play of the game. There were plenty of big performers throughout the afternoon, but Vernon Davis' touchdown catch with nine seconds left in regulation was THE play of the game. After a season filled with ups and downs, Vernon Davis had the biggest up of his career. A few days after talking about how frustrated he was with the playbook at the beginning of the season, Vernon Davis seized the spotlight on a huge stage.

I don't know how much NFL Films will want to air the third quarter of the 49ers-Saints game, but if they have to to get to the final four minutes of regulation, I would imagine they will make the sacrifice. That insane close was capped by Vernon Davis hauling in a pass that was highly reminiscent of The Catch II. The Catch III might not settle in, but it was still an epic catch. Alex Smith fired in a bullet to Vernon Davis who took a pop from Roman Harper and held onto the ball. The play was even more eerily reminiscent of The Catch II as Vernon emerged crying and was hugged by Jim Harbaugh.

Head after the jump for some video and analysis.

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The 2011 college football season officially comes to a close tonight as LSU and Alabama square off in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game. The game is set to get going just after 5:30pm PT and will be on ESPN. I only hope it is more entertaining than the 9-6 overtime game back in early November. I can appreciated certain defensive battles, but at the college level I'm less inclined to enjoy a strictly defensive battle.

As would be expected, the BCS National Championship Game features a boat load of potential draft talent. SI.com's Tony Pauline breaks down some of the talent on each side. Additionally, you can head over to our own Mocking The Draft for a look at some of the LSU/Alabama underclassmen that could dot this draft, a look at the LSU defensive line, and how Morris Claiborne compares to Patrick Peterson.

This year's first round seems a lock to include LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. While few things are a lock when it comes to the NFL Draft, Claiborne is looking pretty close. On the Alabama side, the list of talent is fairly distinguished. Guys like RB Trent Richardson, CB Dre Kirkpatrick, S Mark Barron, DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw, and LB Don'ta Hightower all could battle for first round status.

I would suspect we're in for another defensive battle, particularly given some of the talent on that side of the ball. Personally I wouldn't mind at least a little more scoring, but I suppose beggars can't be choosers.

For those looking for a little bit more playoff-related info to discuss, I've attached a transcript of Coach Harbaugh's press conference earlier this morning.

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The media's main course for Sunday is at hand as the Denver Broncos and TIM TEBOW!!! face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Giants wrapped up their morning victory with a dominant second half performance to blow away the Falcons 24-2.

The Giants advance to face the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field next Sunday. The Packers have already opened as nine to ten point favorites in a rematch of a wild shootout in the Meadowlands in Week 13. The Packers escaped with a 38-35 victory thanks to a last second Mason Crosby field goal. We'll see how the two teams fare on the frozen tundra.

For now though, we get the Denver Broncos hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers for the right to face the New England Patriots. Tim Tebow is the story for many, but this game features so much more. The Steelers are dealing with numerous injuries both in terms of absences and gimpy players on the field. If the Broncos are going to have a chance, they'll need their defense to keep the Steelers aware of their presence.

On offense, the Broncos will need to get a strong game from Willis McGahee. Tim Tebow is as hit and miss as they come. He can weave some fourth quarter magic, but the Broncos are going to need more than that today. It should be an interesting matchup at Mile High.