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So let me get this straight: Eli Manning ousted NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, outlasted a 49ers team for the NFC Championship that dispatched Offensive Player of the Year Drew Brees, and finally outdueled NFL Golden Boy Tom Brady to win Super Bowl XLVI? Does this mean what I think it means?

After two weeks of endless coverage and meaningless debate, the Super Bowl is finally here. Like everyone else, I have an opinion. In addition to scoring the most points, here are three other factors that will determine who leaves Indy with another title. And yes, they’re all obvious.

Last week my brother passed along word of a rumor involving Peyton Manning and the Eagles. Although it was, and still is entirely a rumor (and an unlikely one at that), Manning to the Eagles would be a welcomed addition.

Joe Flacco was surprisingly the most impressive quarterback on Sunday. The 49er defense was the most disruptive and imposing unit. Unfortunately, neither Flacco nor the 49er defense advanced to the Superbowl because their special teams fell short.

While Tom Brady is every bit as good as his 6 TD performance last week, the Ravens ranking as the NFL’s 3rd best defense is misleading. In the NFC, Eli is out for his second NFC crown while Alex Smith aims to prove last week was no fluke.

I’m a little late on this, and for that I apologize. I came down with an awful illness. But don’t worry, I wasn’t nearly as sick as the Packers offense or Joe Flacco. Sadly, one of those two still advanced.

Alex Smith erased years of disappointment after going toe-to-toe with the Saints and emerging victorious. Smith and the 49ers owe their revival to Jim Harbaugh. Oh yeah, Tom Brady and the Patriots were pretty good, too. Also, little children apparently upset America.

The 49er defense has its work cut out against the NFL’s hottest offense. Tim Tebow tries to eliminate another AFC legend and Joe Flacco gets to prove he’s better than a rookie. Also, three reasons the Giants won’t win.

The NFL playoff field has dwindled to eight contenders. I’m a week later than usual, so let’s breakdown and rank the remaining participants before Alabama and LSU play a third time.

Demaryius Thomas is still running, the Saints are still marching, the Falcon offense is still scoreless, and the Bengals still haven’t come out of the locker room for the 2nd half in Houston. Oh yeah, some quarterback in Denver put on a show, too. I think his name is Tebow.