Super Bowl XLVII Picks, Predictions

Joe Flacco has thrown eight touchdowns and no interceptions in this postseason.

Patrick Semansky/AP

After almost two weeks, we're getting nearer to the moment of truth, when the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers kick off Super Bowl XLVII.

Both teams made bold moves in the second half of the season that have paid off handsomely -- the 49ers switching quarterbacks from Alex Smith to Colin Kaepernick, and the Ravens firing offensive coordinator Cam Cameron while promoting Jim Caldwell. Since that move, the Baltimore offense has taken off. Along the way to New Orleans, Joe Flacco and Co. have shocked the football world by beating the AFC's top two seeds, the Broncos and Patriots.

But who will ultimately hoist the Lombardi Trophy? SI.com's experts make their picks below.

Peter KING 27 23 Why the Ravens will win: The deep arm of Joe Flacco, paired with the revived defense of the Ravens in the playoffs, wins it for a Baltimore team that seemed left for dead in December. The Super Bowl MVP will be... Joe Flacco Offbeat Prediction: Colin Kaepernick will burst through the gates for a 74-yard touchdown run. Untouched.   Don BANKS 31 20 Why the 49ers will win: The game will be competitive for the first three quarters, but the Ravens will get Kaepernick-ed in the final 15 minutes, because San Francisco simply has too many different ways it can beat you these days. On the Superdome's fast track, the 49ers offense will thrive. The Super Bowl MVP will be... Colin Kaepernick Offbeat Prediction: The Harbaughs will hug it out at midfield after the game, until a triumphant Jim unwisely slaps John on the back a little too hard, prompting a Schwartz-ian response from big brother. Chaos ensues.   Chris BURKE 31 21 Why the 49ers will win: I keep picking the Ravens to lose, so why stop now? But honestly, for as well as Baltimore's defense has played this postseason, I don't know that it has enough speed to keep pace with the 49ers and Colin Kaepernick. The Super Bowl MVP will be... Vernon Davis Offbeat Prediction: A non-quarterback completes a pass of 20-plus yards. My money's on LaMichael James.   Jim TROTTER 27 24 Why the Ravens will win: A compelling case can be made for either team, but I'm going with the Ravens for no other reason than they were my preseason pick to win it all. It doesn't hurt that Joe Flacco is playing the best football of his career, or that the defense is as healthy as it has been all season and has allowed a total of just four touchdowns in three playoff games. The Super Bowl MVP will be... Torrey Smith Offbeat Prediction: Safety Ed Reed will force a turnover with a big hit, however the officials will overturn it based on the defenseless receiver rule -- even though replays will show the hit was clean. (New NFL motto: If it looks bad, it is bad.)   Dennis DILLON 29 22 Why the Ravens will win: The Ravens have been building for this championship for five seasons under coach John Harbaugh and G.M. Ozzie Newsome. During Baltimore's postseason run, Joe Flacco (eight touchdown passes, no interceptions) has seized the moment and is ready to prove on the NFL's biggest stage that he is a premier quarterback. The Super Bowl MVP will be... Joe Flacco Offbeat Prediction: With one minute left in the game and his team hopelessly staring at defeat, San Francisco's Randy Moss will pull off his jersey and head to the locker room, confirming his place as the greatest receiver in NFL history.   Andrew PERLOFF 27 24 Why the Ravens will win: Forget Xs and Os. The Ravens have been inspired throughout their playoff run, and a lot of that has to with the Director of Player Development O.J. Brigance, the former Baltimore player suffering from ALS. His words lift the Ravens to another level -- and they'll need that to contain San Francisco's rushing attack. The Super Bowl MVP will be... Joe Flacco Offbeat Prediction: There will be a national debate after the game on whether a receiver completed the act of a catch before the ball hit the ground.   Tom MANTZOURANIS 34 28 Why the Ravens will win: When I look at this matchup from a football perspective, it's mostly advantage San Francisco. And yet, the Ravens are peaking at the right time, and there are enough questions on the 49ers defense that I can see Baltimore edging in a shootout. The Super Bowl MVP will be... Dennis Pitta Offbeat Prediction: With the 49ers leading, Justin Tucker will boot a 55-plus yarder at a key time to spark a Ravens rally.