Feb 2, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; General view of Super Bowl XLVII roman numerals on a barge on the Mississippi River with the Crescent City Connection bridge (Greater New Orleans bridge) at Woldenberg Park in advance of Super Bowl XLVII between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The day has finally arrived.

Who: Baltimore Ravens (1-0 all time in Super Bowl) vs. San Francisco 49ers (5-0 all time in Super Bowl)

What: Super Bowl XLVII

When: 6:30 PM ET

Where: Mercedes Benz Superdome; New Orleans, Louisiana

Network: CBS, NFL RedZone

Radio: Sirius XM Radio

Depth Charts:

Baltimore Ravens

San Francisco 49ers

Super Bowl Recipes

Super Bowl Mad Libs

Generic Super Bowl Questions

Mind Blowing Super Bowl Stats

Sponsored Post: Reserve tickets to the biggest events in sports at Optionit.com

As football fans it is our dream—nay, duty—to go to the SuperBowl. It is the single greatest time of year: when our country is totally consumed with continuous speculation and analyses as the NFL’s best prepare to square off the in football’s most iconic event. There is no way to guarantee your favorite team a trip to the Mercedes-Benz SuperDome in New Orleans for SuperBowl XLVII on February 3, 2013. But for the first time ever, there is an easy, flexible and convenient way to guarantee your own ticket to the most watched game on earth.

Use the promo code “SBXLVII” to get 15% off any NFL option purchase!

At Optionit.com you can reserve SuperBowl XLVII tickets and travel packages with all the convenience and flexibility any sports fan could need. By purchasing an option, you are guaranteed the opportunity to see the NFL’s best square off without any of the hassle associated with finding an affordable ticket. The option gives you an obligation-free reservation on premium game day and travel packages with the ability to resell your option at any time. Sounds pretty cool, right?

Click here to view all SuperBowl XLVII Packages now.

Options don’t stop at just SuperBowl XLVII. You can also reserve tickets to the biggest NFL regular season games, the 2013 Rose Bowl and BCS National Championship along with other high-demand sporting events like the NCAA Final Four and PGA Masters.

Click here to view all sports options.

With options, being a part of sports history becomes more than just a possibility: it becomes reality. Through OptionIt’s simple process, you are empowered to secure high-demand inventory on your own terms, in a way that meets the demands of your hectic sports schedule. Options can help any sports fan by offering:

• More time. More Convenience. More Flexibility. Whether you cannot commit for personal reasons or you don’t know how your favorite team will perform, options have your back.
• Peace of Mind. Long gone are the days of camping outside the box office waiting for tickets or paying extreme mark-ups through scalpers or resale sites
• Security. Each option is guaranteed through OptionIt’s official relationships with our partners so you never have to worry about being left out.

Click here to learn more about how it works.

Games like the Super Bowl make legends that are only heard through tales of triumph. When the image of victory begins to shape itself into a genuine possibility, our city comes alive with total excitement and anticipation. And as the football season starts to wind down, you can only hope your team’s success is as guaranteed with our options.

(more…)

There are bound to be lots of little changes in how decisions are made on all levels of the organization, but we are going to attempt to pinpoint the direction they may head by looking at the past of the guys making the ultimate decisions. A lot has been made on John Elway‘s comments on Denver QB Tim Tebow, but like most things concerning Tebow, they were blown out of proportion by fans. Elway continued later in the quoted story (and tweets) to say how much he does like Tim and hopes he can mature in the quarterback for the Broncos. What could possibly make this more of a non story is this quote from Elway when he was being courted for the position he now holds:

(more…)

• The guys over at New Era Scouting feel there are only 3 teams in the NFC that have the potential to win the Super Bowl.  Its a good read and a valid opinion but I feel that the number is low.  They identify the Eagles, Saints, and Falcons as potential Super Bowl teams.  I feel that you have to lump the Bears into that mix because if they are able to secure a bye and home game they could be dangerous.  The fact is that any team that makes the playoffs has the potential to make a run.  Click Here to Read!
• Mocking the Draft feels that Nick Foles is making a great decision by returning to Arizona for another season.  I have to 100% agree with them because he has the chance to be a first round pick next season.  At this point he is probably looking at coming off the board in the 3rd round.  Click Here to Read!
• The Draft Break down has a good round up of all the College Awards including the three hauled in by Cam Newton.  Click Here to Read!

1. Atlanta Falcons – Atlanta will move down when they stop winning.  Until then they look to be as good as any team out there, and solid in all phases of the game.

.

2.  New England Patriots – Tom Brady is starting to show his fiery self again and will no doubt be ready to go against the trash talking Jets this weekend.

.

3.  New York Jets – The Jets are in third here because of the 9-2 teams I trust their QB the least.  They can gain some separation and show what they are made of by sweeping their New England series this weekend.

.

4.  Baltimore Ravens – The Baltimore Ravens are good.  We will know how good when they play Pittsburgh this coming weekend.

.

5.  New Orleans Saints – The Saints are showing why they were Super Bowl champs last season.  They snuck by Dallas on Thanksgiving and have had a long week to prepare for a struggling Bengals team.

.

6.  Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles have been brought back to earth after they drubbed the Redskins, but Michael Vick is still playing great and this team has as many playmakers as any team in the league.

.

7.  San Diego Chargers – Is there a hotter team in football in November and December?  You would think a team in a warm climate would struggle in the cold but Phillip Rivers has this team on his shoulders.  Once again we ask…is this the year the Chargers break through?

8. Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers played their best team football the 4 weeks Big Ben was suspended.  Since his return they have won but have not looked great.  A big test awaits them this week against Baltimore.

.

9.  Chicago Bears – Their defense is fantastic and is carrying this team.  That could come in handy down the stretch and come playoff time.  Their offense is their weakness but at 8-3 who is complaining.

.

10.  Green Bay Packers – Obviously pretty banged up the Packers are getting better and despite a loss this last weekend to Atlanta are a team with a stud QB that no one wants to play.

.

(more…)

Minnesota Vikings at New England Patriots: The weekly drama that surrounds Viking QB Brett Favre continued heading into week 8. During the loss to the Packers in week 7 Favre suffered 2 bone fractures in his surgically repaired ankle. Due to the injury all hype this week was if he was going to play or not against the Patriots. What you didn’t hear in the news hype was his ankle is as bad as it will get, meaning further injury is not a risk. So considering he is on a farewell tour in the league he will suck it up and play no matter what. But what remains to be seen is how much Favre plays within the system of Coach Brad Childress. Favre and Childress have always had an awkward relationship and now that the end is getting closer look for this relationship to be the news of next week if they lose. As for the Patriots? They are on fire after winning 4 straight. Look for the Patriots to take out some rage on their former star wide receiver Randy Moss and limit him to 2 receptions due to the solid play of rookie Devin McCourty . The Patriots will do what they do best and win as they beat the Vikings 36-14 inciting a riot in Minnesota.

To read more of Jesse Zamarripa visit www.sportsbyjesse.com

(more…)

 The Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings entered Sunday’s game with a sense of urgency after starting the season with a 1-3 record. If the Cowboys loss their chances of representing the NFC in the Super Bowl at home would be in jeopardy. And If the Vikings were to drop another game the chances of Brett Favre making a farewell trip to the playoffs would be in danger. To add to the drama both Bryant (ribs and ankle) and Brett Favre (elbow tendinitis) were battling injuries before the game.

(more…)

Jacksonville Jaguars

“Shack” Harris left this team with an old, deteriorating roster when he was fired after the 2008 season. Gene Smith, who started out as a scout with the team when they first entered the league, took over and started the rebuilding process by drafting two offensive tackles who they’re hoping will be there for years, completely reconstructing the defensive line, and drafting some potential weapons for the offense. In 2011, they are in desperate need for a quarterback. The team hasn’t drafted one since 2003 (Byron Leftwich)! They also desperately need defensive backs and interior linemen. Obviously, Jake Locker, Christian Ponder, Ryan Mallett, and Andrew Luck should be on their radar, but Smith strictly follows his draft board and best available player philosophy.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are currently ranked 18th in points allowed, 24th in yards allowed, 20th against the pass and 28th against the run. Obviously, a better interior defensive line should be one priority. They allowed Arian Foster to go crazy on opening weekend in a loss to the Texans. Another factor in that Texans’ lost was Peyton Manning’s protection. They need a franchise left tackle, especially since Manning is starting to get older (although he hasn’t lost any skills). I personally thought Polian jumped the gun in blaming the Super Bowl loss on the offensive line, but that assessment needs to be applied to the 2010 offensive line. There hasn’t been an elite left tackle prospect that’s shown himself yet, but the Colts won’t be picking in the top half of the first round anyway.

Houston Texans

The one glaring need of the Texans so far in 2010 is their defensive secondary. They are ranked dead last in the league in pass defense. Glover Quin shouldn’t be the starter across from Kareem Jackson. It’s possible they could go to another corner in the first round in 2011. Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara will probably gone when the Texans will be drafting, but Ras-I Dowling might be there for them.

Tennessee Titans

I’m not sure what the Titans and Jeff Fisher think of Vince Young, but if they want to be able to make any noise in the playoffs, (if they make it in) then they’ll need a legit quarterback.  They currently rank 30th in passing offense. Kenny Britt isn’t performing up to his billing so far in his second season after being picked in the first round last year. If a lot of the great junior wide receivers come out in 2011, then the Titans need to take a look. AJ Green, Jon Baldwin, Michael Floyd, and Julio Jones are all projected first rounders if they decide to declare early. Linebacker could be another position that could be upgraded. I had no idea Jamie Winborn was still playing. He’s currently starting on their depth chart.

NFL Mocks is going to do a team by team look at what rookies have the potential to contribute during their first season.  Every year there are countless rookies that have major and minor impacts.  Everyone expects the 1st round picks to make an impact but we hope to point out some other players that may help your favorite team win games.

The Chargers are hoping to make a Super Bowl run this year and they will be counting on a few rookies to make a major impact.

Ryan Mathews- Mathews has had an excellent training camp and preseason and should receive the bulk of the carries this season.  He has proven to be a tough runner and also a capable receiver out of the backfield.  He is going to be counted on heavily as the featured back of a Super Bowl hopeful team.

Cam Thomas- Thomas was selected in the 5th room and was labeled as one of the better nose tackle prospects in the 2010 NFL Draft. NFL Mocks had Thomas ranked as the #2 nose tackle prospect and we feel that he has a chance to be a special player at the position.  Thomas has had a decent camp and is pushing for significant snaps at the nose tackle position.