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Super Bowl 2013 Odds: Final point spread says San Francisco -3.5 points

The 49ers are the third straight team to play the Ravens as underdogs. It makes for as compelling a match-up in this game as we've seen in a while.

Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

The San Francisco 49ers are 3.5 point favorites just a few hours before Super Bowl XLVII kicks off from New Orleans.

People are enamored by the athleticism of quarterback Colin Kaepernick, perhaps in comparison to his stoneish counterpart, Joe Flacco.

Flacco, though, is the one touting an interception-free playoffs, something done rarely by a quarterback, and usually, followed right after "Super Bowl champion" when in discussion.

The pass rush of both these teams looks to be huge, as San Francisco needs to get Aldon Smith going early in this game. Baltimore has done an outstanding job in these playoffs of protecting Flacco, and he's shown he can and will make plays down the field if he has time.

Baltimore will rely on the discipline of their defensive line to contain Kaepernick and force him to make throws from the back of the pocket or when moving horizontally. A defensive lineman can control a quarterback's angle based on where the lineman is positioned on the field. If Kaepernick isn't allowed to throw while stepping forward, it will be a long game for the 49ers.