Super Bowl XLVI: Recapping The Pregame Show With Videos And More

Super Bowl Halftime Show 2012: Madonna's Partner Performers, Video And More

Edit: Full video of the halftime show can be found here.

Madonna is headlining the 2012 Super Bowl halftime show, as first reported by SBNation.com in October. But she won't be alone: VIBE reports that Madonna will be joined by Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., her collaborators on new song "Give Me All Your Luvin," and possibly Cee-Lo Green of "F--k Forget You" fame and "Party Rock Anthem" purveyors LMFAO.

"Give Me All Your Luvin" is Madonna's first single from her forthcoming album, MDNA, and unites the Queen of Reinvention with two of the most prominent female rappers of recent memory.

The last time Madonna shared the stage with two other young starlets in pop music, though, she kissed Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards.

In case you did not turn on a radio in 2011, here is the synth-drenched "Party Rock Anthem."

LMFAO like to party and rock. They call their combination of partying and pop-rock music "party rock." It's genius, really.

Whatever your opinion of those musical offerings, you can be happy about not having the possibility of an awkward moment like Janet Jackson's infamous bare breast: Madonna is promising no Super Bowl halftime show wardrobe malfunctions.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

2012 Super Bowl Coin Toss Prop Bet Result: Patriots Win Toss To End NFC Streak

Heading into Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday, the NFC was riding an unprecedented -- and highly unlikely -- streak of winning 14 consecutive Super Bowl opening coin tosses. Would the New York Giants be able to make it 15 in a row and choose to kick off or receive first against the New England Patriots?

The 2012 class of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees was on hand to witness the coin toss. The Giants got the call for the toss and chose "tails," but the streak came to an end at 14 years when the toss came up "heads" and the New England Patriots deferred.

As you may have guessed, the odds were even on both heads and tails coming up. The line on each result was (-105). Here's hoping that if you placed a wager, it paid off for you. Failing that, here's hoping that your rooting preference won the toss.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

2012 Super Bowl National Anthem Length: Kelly Clarkson Clocks In At 1:34 Exactly

At Super Bowl XLVI, the over/under for Kelly Clarkson's rendition of the National Athem was set at 1:34. Hopefully, you took neither, as her version clocked in at 1:34.

Clarkson first became world famous and launched her singing career when she appeared on American Idol, a television show that you totally at least used to watch, don't even lie. Unlike many of the flash-in-the-pan singers who made a name for themselves on reality television shows, Clarkson has turned her TV appearances into a successful decade-long career, featuring two Grammy Awards and 24 million albums sold. Rachel Mazique performed the anthem in American Sign Language.

Her rendition of the national anthem unsurprisingly finished in less time than Christina Aguilera's lengthy one minute, 54 second version of the song during last season's Super Bowl. This was Clarkson's first appearance at the Super Bowl.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

Super Bowl 2013 Location: Big Game Returns To New Orleans

This past Tuesday, NFL owners voted to return the Super Bowl to New Orleans, Louisiana. The 2013 Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLVII, will be the first edition of the big game to be played in the Big Easy since Hurricane Katrina. The BCS National Championship was held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the home of the New Orleans Saints, in 2012, while the Sugar Bowl is held at the stadium each year.

New Orleans will be hosting the Super Bowl for the 10th time. They beat out regular host city Miami, Florida, as well as 2008 Super Bowl host Glendale, Arizona. Said Saints owner Tom Benson:

"We're just thrilled about what's going on. We're getting a new Superdome. Now we're going to get a Super Bowl on top of that. It couldn't be any more exciting than that."

The last Super Bowl in New Orleans was one of the all-time best editions of the big game. That game occurred in 2002, when the New England Patriots upset the St. Louis Rams for Tom Brady's first Super Bowl win and Bill Belichick's first as a head coach.

VIDEO: Rob Gronkowski Enters Stadium, Tests Injured Ankle

Rob Gronkowski finally came onto the field of the Lucas Oil Stadium for Super Bowl XLVI. Other Patriots players had been on the field stretching and Gronkowski was one of the last to come on the field and it was of course his injured ankle that everyone immediately focused on.

As you can see in the video below, Gronkowski appears to be running fine and without a limp.

Also note his ankle, which is wrapped. He will also likely be given a shot of something to keep the pain down. The adrenaline of playing in the Super Bowl won't hurt either.

SB Nation's Pats Pulpit is at the game and tweets that Gronkowski "appears to be a little slow out of his stance, but is cutting very well which is a good sign for high ankle sprain."

What will be interesting is how he responds after heading to the locker room for a longer than usual halftime and some of that adrenaline wears off.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

VIDEO: Steve Gleason's Story Told In Powerful Super Bowl Pregame Feature

I'm not sure how many people knew Steve Gleason's story before Sunday, when NBC aired a lengthy feature on his battle with ALS. The feature itself was difficult to watch, knowing that just a few years ago, Gleason was healthy, youthful and living a happy life. In a way, he's still living that happy life, but the personal tragedy he, his family and his friends have been through has been tough to watch unfold.

Gleason is a shell of his old self, succumbing to ALS as it takes over his body. He was officially diagnosed with ALS just about a year ago, and the disease has moved rapidly. Just a few months ago, I saw Steve in Pullman, when he attended a Washington State football game. Seeing the NBC feature on Sunday, and how his health has rapidly deteriorated, was heartbreaking.

A struggling Washington State team won the game Gleason attended and, fittingly, he was given the game ball. After the game, the players spoke of how inspirational he was, referencing his pre-game speech and the lessons they learned from him numerous times. He had that same effect on everyone he came into contact with during his weekend in Pullman.

Steve's speech is starting to go and nobody is quite sure how long he'll be able to keep fighting ALS. Yet listening to him speak is nothing short of inspiring. Since the diagnosis, he's taken on the mantra of living every day like it's his last. He's traveled the world, fought to raise awareness for ALS and been an inspiration to many.

Gleason has always been the kind of endearing underdog. At Washington State, he was an undersized linebacker that hit like a ton of bricks. He was a part of the successful Cougar teams, a fan favorite for his playing style.

That continued in the NFL, where he spent seven seasons with the New Orleans Saints. It was Gleason shooting a gap like he was shot out of a cannon during the Saints first game back in the Superdome, leading to the blocked punt that served as the game's defining moment. And then it was all gone.

If you watched Gleason's story and were moved by it, visit his website, Team Gleason. Learn more about his battle, about ALS and what he's trying to do to raise awareness.

Here's the video of Gleason's story.

Super Bowl 2012: Patriots OT Sebastian Vollmer Active For First Time Since November

The New England Patriots will have a welcome addition to their offensive line when they play the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. Offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer is active and is expected to play in the game.

Vollmer has missed the last seven games with back and foot injuries. It's unclear if he will start or play a reserve role but Pats offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia indicated earlier in the week that he will likely play.

This gives the Patriots some more flexibility with Nate Solder at offensive tackle with some of the Giants defensive linemen, so this is good news for Tom Brady.

So for the first time since late November, the Patriots will have their starting right tackle in the lineup.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

VIDEO: NBC Puts Together All-Star 'Brotherhood Of Man' Musical Number

Super Bowl 2012 National Anthem: Kelly Clarkson Will Sing The Star Spangled Banner

From hours of extensive research, I have gathered that Kelly Clarkson sings professionally. That makes her a logical choice to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. The Star Spangled Banner was once performed at the Super Bowl by marching bands and other instrumentalists, but it's recently become a way for pop stars to promote themselves. I have no idea whether or not record labels pay the NFL to get their artist to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl, but this seems like a safe assumption.

This is not to diminish the accomplishments or vocal acumen of Ms. Clarkson, it just seems terribly unlikely that there was some kind of extensive merit-based selection criteria. But hey, she knows how to sing, so it will probably be good!

For those interested, the last instrumental national anthem performed at the Super Bowl was performed by trumpeter Herb Alpert at Super Bowl XXII in San Diego.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

VIDEO: Barack Obama Doesn't Make Super Bowl Pick, Talks Brady And Bieber In Pregame Interview

Barack Obama was interviewed by Matt Lauer ahead of Super Bowl XLVI, with the two discussing football for a few moments before talking about current affairs and other typical agenda items. Lauer began the interview by asking Obama for a pick, as well as his thoughts on the NFL season, before getting a little more serious and political.

Once again, President Obama refused to make a pick, instead saying he expects a close game. Obama says he expects a good game, and that it may come down to a turnover, a ball on the head or some other oddity. But, like many, he added "I can't tell you who's going to win this thing." Despite Matt Lauer's repeated attempts to perhaps trick him into answering, Obama remained steadfast that he wasn't stepping out on a limb.

He gave props to the Giants, saying what they've done this year and how they came back from a rough regular season. Obama wondered about the Patriots defense -- a questionable facet of the team's game -- and how it would stand up. While it sounded like he was a Giants' lean, there was no firm pick to be had.

The attention did turn to Brady, with Obama saying the Patriots quarterback was quite the handsome guy, admired by the women of the White House. Lauer wondered if Justin Bieber was more of Obama's daughters' type, and the whole thing basically went off the rails at that point. Bieber, Brady and Barack ... this is our Super Bowl pre-game.

And then the conversation transitioned to affairs in Israel and war. All right! The rest of the interview was about politics and that's a road we probably don't need to travel down.

Instead, you can just watch it on video!

Rob Gronkowski Injury: Patriots TE Is Active And Will Play As Expected

The New England Patriots have released their inactives and as expected Rob Gronkowski's name isn't on the list which means he'll play. His high ankle sprain has been one of the big story lines leading up to the game yet no one really has any idea exactly how he'll do with his injury.

CSNNE's Michael Giardi reported that Gronkowski arrived to Lucas Oil Stadium in the same special black shoe he's been wearing.

We've known for the last two weeks that he'll play in the Super Bowl but at less than 100 percent. The Giants will likely test him out early to see what kind of condition he's in. And the Pats have also had two weeks to prepare with a less-than-100-percent Gronkowski so it'll be interesting to see how they deal with him offensively.

The Patriots have a lot of weapons but Gronkowski might be the most important one -- if he's healthy enough to be effective. This is one of the biggest keys to the game (and people have talked about it just a little bit).

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Lenny Kravitz Is Making Really Good Music These Days

Super Bowl 2012: Patriots, Giants Announce Inactive Players

Super Bowl XLVI is just a few hours away and both teams have released their complete lists of inactive players. These players will not be competing, or be available to compete, in the big game.

Patriots Inactives:

QB Ryan Mallett, RB Kevin Faulk, RB Shane Vereen, OLB/MLB Gary Guyton, G Donald Thomas, C/G Nick McDonald and DT Ron Brace.

Giants Inactives:

WR Ramses Barden, RB Da'Rel Scott, LB Mark Herzlich, C Jim Cordle, DT Jimmy Kennedy, T James Brewer and DE Justin Trattou.

No real surprises on any list, but this is the official final word on what players are out of action.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl Pregame Show 2012: Bob Costas Interviews Madonna

Super Bowl Sunday has been full of festivities and frivolity during the lead-up to Super Bowl XLVI between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. During the pregame show on NBC, Bob Costas interviewed the headliner of this year's halftime show, Madonna.

Costas, the consummate professional that he is, treated the interview with the trademark gravitas and sense of importance that he brings to every situation, whether it be interviewing a survivor of a spinal injury, or reacting to a colleague riding on a zip-line. Watch below as he brings Madonna the hard-hitting questions.

I'm not sure why it would be surprising that Madonna has never seen Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction." I don't imagine Madonna has watched television since 1994.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

2012 Super Bowl Coin Toss Prop Bet: NFC Looks To Continue Improbable Streak

The most incredible thing about Super Bowl XLVI? The NFC will be looking to continue a 14-year winning streak — in the coin toss.

The NFC has won every coin toss since the Green Bay Packers won theirs against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII, a streak that defies credulity. The odds against 14 straight victories for either team in the game? 16,384 to 1.

Of course, while that sounds bad, and like the person putting together the pieces of metal that become Super Bowl coins has it out for the AFC, the chances of that string of 14 outcomes is no more or less likely than any other series of either/or outcomes; it's exactly as likely as 14 straight flips coming up heads or tails.

That'll be a tough task for the New England Patriots on Sunday, but, well, the New York Giants might be tougher.

If you would like to bet on Super Bowl XLVI's coin toss, bovada.lv gives -105 for both heads and tails, and for either the Patriots or the Giants winning the coin toss. If you would like to bet on whether the team that wins the coin toss will win the Super Bowl, you can get -115 for either yes or no.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

2012 Super Bowl Radio Broadcast Information

For those fans who want to tune in to Super Bowl XLVI, but are unable to watch NBC's coverage on television or follow the broadcast that will be streamed online for free at NFL.com and NBCSports,com, there are plenty of options on the radio dial.

Westwood One Radio has the call, with Kevin Harlan doing the play-by-play and Boomer Esiason joining him in the booth as the color analyst. Former NFL wide receiver James Lofton and quarterback Mark Malone will be the field reporters for the radio broadcast.

The game can be heard on Sirius channels 88 (Westwood One), 92 (New York Giants) and 86 (New England Patriots). On XM Radio, the game be heard on channels 88 (Westwood One), 225 (New York Giants) and 226 (New England Patriots). Locally, Giants fans can tune in to WFAN 660 AM for the radio call, while fans in New England can hear the game on 98.5 The Sports Hub.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

Super Bowl 2012 Pregame Show: Lenny Kravitz, The Fray Perform At NBC Tailgate Party

Super Bowl XLVI is still several hours away, but the pregame coverage is already well underway on NBC. The network kicked off their full coverage of the event at noon ET on Super Bowl Sunday and their pregame show is packed full of guests and content.

The musical guests at the NFL Super Bowl XLVI Tailgate Party will be Lenny Kravitz and The Fray. Both of the acts are already tuned up and practiced in Miami and appear to be having a great time. The Fray has even accepted the challenge of a shrimp cocktail eating contest from fellow Indianapolis visitors OneRepublic.

Kravitz and the Fray have also taken the time to hobnob with some NFL notables. Kravitz got his photo taken with Peyton Manning, who is a regular mountain of a man:

via @LennyKravitz

The Fray snagged a picture with all-time great Joe Montana, who was representing his new team, the DirecTV Dishes.

via @TheFray

Always nice to see rock stars geeking out like regular sports fans.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

2012 Super Bowl Odds: Line Moving Closer To New York Giants

Super Bowl 46 is just hours away and, as these things are wont to do, the odds are slowly moving away from what Vegas predicted when the match-up between the New York Giants and New England Patriots was set last month. The latest line seems to be favoring Tom Coughlin's Giants a little bit more than originally anticipated.

The line opened up with the Patriots favored by 3½ points in 2012's Big Game, but the majority of the online betting sites have dropped the point spread to favor New England by a bit less. They're still expected to win, but it's now by a point less than the first guesses according to Odds Shark.

In a move that may or may not be related, the over-under on the game has also dropped a couple points on most sites. The point total was originally expected to be 55 points by the prognosticators, but it's down to 53 on most of the websites indexed by Odds Shark.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

VIDEO: New England Patriots 'Super Bowl 46 Champions' Commercials Already Running In Boston

Super Bowl XLVI: Who Will Win MVP?

Tom Brady is the odds on favorite to take home MVP honors at the 2012 Super Bowl.

2012 Super Bowl Odds: Free Props Contest Could Be Fun

The 2012 Super Bowl odds have been pored over plenty of times by the people interested in that sort of thing, meaning anything read on Super Bowl Sunday probably isn't going to make much of a difference for most people out there. For those looking for an extra bit of fun as they wait for the big game to begin, however, there's a free props contest offered by SB Nation's partner Odds Shark.

The contest is free to enter, though it does have a $3,500 prize pool that will be split between the top 46 players with the winner receiving a cool $464.64. The details don't make it seem too difficult, either.

Each participant will answer 25 questions about the game, and every correct answer is worth a set amount of points. The participant that collects the most points will win the grand prize, and the next 46 spots will be paid out $46 each.

For those going to a Super Bowl party without a rooting interest, this might be a fun little contest to get into as you attempt to keep your attention on the game.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

2012 Super Bowl Prop Bets: How Many Tackles Will Justin Tuck Get, And Other Defense Prop Bets

Pro Bowl defensive lineman Justin Tuck has been, as always, one of the loudest voices in the locker rooms building up to the big game. It seems to motivate him, drive him to do better, as well as tick off the players in the other locker room. It's safe to say every New England Patriots offensive lineman will be looking to put him on his back. So what better thing to bet on — you know, aside from the real game — than how well Tuck will put his money where his mouth is?

The over/under at BetUs.com is 3.5 tackles, which seems a little low. Bettors agree, and the over is going off at -125, the under is at -105. That's 3.5 total tackles, not just solo. He had 37 tackles in 11 games in the 2011 regular season, so there's really no guessing as to whether he'll record more or less, that's just about his average. Tuck and the Giants pass rush always seem to be at their best in big games, however, so choose wisely if you take this one up.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

Super Bowl 2012: Traffic May Be A Problem In Indianapolis On Sunday

Did you know that when a mid-sized city like Indianapolis hosts a massive event like the Super Bowl, the city's infrastructure could be over-extended in an attempt to handle all of the people who flock to the city? Now you do. Overcrowding was a very big problem on Friday and Saturday at the Super Bowl Village, where over 200,000 people have flocked over the weekend. Thankfully, things have been planned well and the police are doing their jobs, preventing any kind of major incidents.

Still, both automobile and pedestrian traffic could be an issue on Sunday. Downtown Indianapolis and Lucas Oil Stadium are obviously used to high traffic for Indianapolis Colts games, but those games generally don't attract hundreds of thousands of people who do not even have tickets.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

Super Bowl Ticket Prices: $800 Each And Higher, Tickets Still Available

If you haven't already bought tickets for the Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and New York Giants, you might be a bit out of luck. Unless, of course, you're willing to pay through the nose.

Taking a look at SB Nation ticket partner TiqIQ.com, the cheapest tickets available at the moment is a pair in Section 629 for $1,613.

However, if money is no object and you want the very best seat available, look no further than the three seats in Section 114 going for $11,495. That's around the 40-yard line in case you're considering it.

There's actually quite a few tickets up on eBay and re-seller sites across just about every section in Lucas Oil Stadium. The only question at this point is whether or not you can complete the transaction in time.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

Barack Obama Interview To Air During Super Bowl Pregame Show

President Barack Obama will sit down for an interview Sunday with NBC News' Matt Lauer during a special pre-game edition of TODAY airing late Sunday afternoon before the Super Bowl.

Last year, Obama sat down with Fox News' Bill O'Reilly before the Super Bowl, which aired on FOX.

The Obamas plan on having a low-key Super Bowl celebration at the White House, according to the First Lady.

When asked if he thinks the New York Giants or the New England Patriots would win, the president said "I can't call it," last week.

"When the Bears are not involved, I can't make predictions because I will get into trouble. But both are great teams. Brady obviously one of the best quarterbacks we've ever seen. Eli Manning playing as well as he's ever played, and it's going to be a fun Super Bowl."

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

Puppy Bowl 2012: Animal Planet's Annual Adorable Response To The Super Bowl Kicks Off At 3

Puppy Bowl VIII kicks off on Animal Planet at 3 p.m. ET. Here's everything you need to know about the second-biggest game of the day.

Tom Brady And History, With Eli Manning In The Way Again

The Super Bowl is here, and Tom Brady has a chance to write himself into NFL history on Sunday. But there's Eli Manning and the Giants again, standing in New England's way, one more time.

Watch Super Bowl Online With Free Live Streaming From NBC.com

Edit: Here is the live-stream information for the 2013 Super Bowl.

Follow @sbnation

For the first time, the Super Bowl will be streamed live on NFL.com and NBCSports.com for free.

The live broadcasts on NFL.com and NBCSports.com will come from NBC's television coverage of Super Bowl XLVI. To complement the broadcast coverage, additional features to enrich the viewing experience will be available. Those features will include additional camera angles, in-game highlights, live statistics and other elements to enhance the interactive experience.

"Whether it's just for a quarter if somebody has to run out to the store to get something they forgot, now they can stay connected to the game," NFL's senior vice president of media strategy and development told The Associated Press. "With such a big television audience, it will be interesting to see the expanded reach."

Fans who want to check out the always popular Super Bowl commercials can do at SuperBowl.com. The advertisements will be added at the end of each quarter.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

Super Bowl History: NFL Players Say Santonio Holmes' Catch Among Most Memorable Moments

Several NFL players shared their best Super Bowl memory, whether it was a memorable game they watched as a fan or a game they participated in.

Super Bowl 2012: Picks And Predictions From SB Nation Bloggers

Will the Patriots have revenge on their mind for Super Bowl XLVI? Can the Giants stop the Pats 10-game winning streak? SB Nation bloggers make their picks for the Super Bowl and our Pats and Giants bloggers explain why their team will win.

Super Bowl Prop Bets 2012: Eli Manning Should Hit Plenty Of Overs

Earlier this week, the folks at MGM Resorts International unveiled odds on their proposition bets for Super Bowl XLVI and there are some intriguing bets to consider. While many online betting houses look at things as varied as National Anthem length, color of Gatorade dumped on winning coach and even what Madonna will wear at halftime, MGM's prop bets are for the diehards. They stick to action on the field, which could get pretty boisterous with these two passing attacks.

Although the Giants do have a pair of solid running backs in Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, against the Patriots suspect secondary, expect the Giants to go to the air early and often. Accordingly, there are numerous over/under bets featuring Eli Manning that are easy calls at this point. The over/under on total attempts is 40 1/2 and total completions is 25 1/2.

If the Giants jump up big and hold onto a sizable lead, those might be difficult to hit. This was seen in the Giants 37-20 divisional round victory over the Packers. However, I have faith that the Patriots offense will be able to hang steady as well. As long as this game remains close, Manning will be chucking plenty of passes. He only surpassed 40 1/2 attempts four times in 2012, but this is a game where it is possible.

Another intriguing prop is the over/under on total yards for Manning's longest completion, which sits at 41 1/2 yards. In 16 regular season games, Manning has completed a pass greater than that ten times. In three playoff games he did that twice. Against the suspect Patriots secondary, which could feature WR Julian Edelman, the odds of hitting the over are solid.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

Super Bowl Prop Bets 2012: Victor Cruz Is An Intriguing Wager

As Super Bowl XLVI approaches, the odds of a high scoring Super Bowl are fairly significant. Although the over/under has come down from 55 to 54 in some places, these are two prolific passing offenses getting a chance to show their stuff on field turf, likely in the enclosed environment of Lucas Oil Field's retractable roof.

Given the speedy turf being used and the questionable secondaries involved, the skill position players could put together some impressive totals on Sunday. Victor Cruz is one guy who could further raise a profile that has skyrocketed this season. Cruz has set numerous Giants franchise records and could be the go-to guy for Eli Manning on Sunday.

MGM set the over/under on Victor Cruz's longest reception at 27 1/2 yards. He passed that number in eight of his regular season games and came up a yard short in two more. He has broken numerous big plays this season, including a 99-yard reception against the New York Jets in Week 16. The smart move is on the over.

The over/under on total yards for Victor Cruz is 87 1/2 yards. He surpassed that total in ten regular season contests and one postseason contest. He is in line for a huge day against a Patriots secondary that has struggled all season and I would hit overs on yards all day long.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

2012 Super Bowl Prop Bets: Who Wants To Bet On Gatorade?

The Super Bowl will be fun, for those who like football and those who don't. For those who don't one of the highlights of the game between the New York Giants and New England Patriots will undoubtedly be the moment in which either Tom Coughlin or Bill Belichick gets doused with a gigantic bucket of Gatorade. Having a prop bet on whether or not the dunk will happen would be stupid, because everyone knows the dunk will happen. You can, however, bet on the color of the Gatorade that will be used.

Apparently, the bookies are not expecting either team to utilize a cooler of blue Gatorade. That color comes in at +900. The favorite is either clear Gatorade or water, with yellow coming in a close second. Purple is surprisingly off the board. You can also bet on who will dunk the coach and on when the dunk will occur.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

Rob Gronkowski Injury Update: Patriots Tight End Will Play

There's a good chance that you figured this out when he still appeared to be a bipedal human being at the end of the AFC Championship Game, but it's now more or less confirmed that Rob Gronkowski will play in the Super Bowl. He's been expected to play all week long, but Pro Football Talk confirmed through a source that the New England Patriots tight end would suit up against the New York Giants.

Of course, Gronkowski won't be 100 percent and will likely still be feeling the effects of his badly sprained ankle. The Giants probably won't decide exactly how to play him until they see how he moves, and the same can probably be said for the Patriots and how often they plan on utilizing him. In any event, expect to see a lot of Aaron Hernandez.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

Super Bowl Weather Update: A Chance Of Rain And Snow, But Nothing Dangerous

While Lucas Oil Stadium has a roof, meaning that (presumably) weather situations will have absolutely no effect on the actual game at the Super Bowl, the patrons and vendors could potentially be affected by some less than desirable weather. Obviously, having a Super Bowl in Indiana means that there is a risk of unpleasant weather, and there will probably be a bit of that in the build-up to the big game.

According to the National Weather Service, there is currently a 50 percent chance of rain and snow on Saturday night and a 30 percent chance of snow on gameday. The good news is that the potential snow on Sunday will come early in the morning, and should not affect travel to the game. Indianapolis has done plenty of preparing for bad weather after the problems that were encountered in Dallas last season, and there shouldn't be any weather issues that affect anyone's safety.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

Super Bowl Pre-Game Show 2012: Start Time, TV Information, Schedule And More

More: The best of the pre-released 2012 Super Bowl commercials.

Before the New England Patriots and New York Giants take the field for Super Bowl, NBC is going to fill your entire day with pre-game footage, talk, previews and anything else they can put in front of a camera.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m ET, but the official Super Bowl Pregame Show airs from noon until 6 p.m. Here's what you can expect:

Interviews: You want interviews? You don't want interviews? Tough luck, you're getting interviews. Bob Costas interviews Tom Brady, Dan Patrick interviews Eli Manning, Tony Dungy interviews Tom Coughlin and Victor Cruz, Rodney Harrison interviews his former coach, Bill Belichick, and Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez and finally Al Michaels visits with Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

On The Field: Doug Flutie, Cris Collinsworth, and Rodney Harrison will analyze and acting out the X’s and O’s on the field of Lucas Oil Stadium.

Hotel Reports: Randy Moss (yes, Randy Moss) will provide updates from the Patriots team hotel, while Alex Flanagan will report from the Giants hotel and the stadium.

Player Profiles: Vince Wilfork, Steve Gleason and Mathias Kiwanuka all get profile pieces as we look inside their lives on and off the field. There will also be interviews with Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Rob Gronkowski and Zoltan Mesko

Obligatory Catch Recap: Bob Costas will interview Patriots safety and current NBC Sports analyst Rodney Harrison along with former New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree, the two men who are linked in NFL history due to Tyree’s famous and improbable "helmet catch" in Super Bowl XLII, which you will see roughly 4,000 times on Sunday.

Road to the Super Bowl: How did the New York Giants and New England Patriots advance to Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis? Re-live the journey as only NFL Films can present it. Road to the Super Bowl begins with Kickoff Weekend and chronicles the 2011 NFL season utilizing NFL Films’ signature captivating video and sound from on the field, and in the locker room from exclusive player and coach wirings.

Presidential Interview: NBC News’ Matt Lauer will interview President Barack Obama from The White House during a special pre-game edition of TODAY airing late Sunday afternoon.

Red Carpet: Nick Cannon hosts NBC’s pre-game red-carpet coverage. Celebrities expected to attend include: Adam Sandler, Danny Devito, Chris Evans, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green, Blake Shelton, Carson Daly, Katharine McPhee and Jessica Simpson.

Live Performances: Lenny Kravitz and The Fray will perform live from the NFL’s Super Bowl XLVI Tailgate Party.

Top Chef Showdown: Bravo’s culinary show, Top Chef, will be on-site with host Tom Colicchio and two popular former contestants, Richard Blais and Antonia Lofaso, competing to create the perfect tailgate food. Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison will determine which of their tailgate preparations wins.

And of course, much, much, much more.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

Super Bowl 2012 Time, TV Schedule, Online Streaming And More

Super Bowl XLVI between the New York Giants and New England Patriots will be shown on NBC, who kick off their broadcast with a "Road to the Super Bowl" program at 12pm ET. NBC's pregame show officially begins at 1pm ET with Bob Costas and Dan Patrick hosting.

The NFL Network will have their "GameDay Morning" pregame show from 9am to 5:30pm ET and ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown" will be on the air from 10am to 2pm ET.

Al Michaels will handle the play-by-play for NBC, with former NFL wide receiver Cris Collinsworth serving as analyst. Michele Tafoya is NBC's lone field reporter for the broadcast, which will also be streamed live online for free on NFL.com and NBCSports.com.

The online streaming broadcast will have additional camera angles, in-game statistics and interactive elements. The Super Bowl commercials will be added to SuperBowl.com at the end of each quarter.

For the latest Super Bowl updates, be sure to follow this StoryStream. Also be sure to check out Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and Giants blog Big Blue View.

Tiquan Underwood Released In Strategic, Perhaps Ruthless, Move

Tiquan Underwood was cut by the New England Patriots just 24 hours before the Super Bowl, and the move has caused plenty of uproar. It's cold, sure, but the move was also a calculated one, as you would probably expect. As the news began to trickle out, I wondered if the timing had something to do with a competitive advantage, and it seems that it did.

In short, releasing Underwood now, and not days ago, ensures the New York Giants cannot claim him, allowing them to gain some kind of perceived advantage. It's likely the Patriots decided Chad Ochocinco would be active, making Underwood expendable. So instead of keeping the young wide receiver, New England called up a practice squad defensive end for depth.

Albert Breer elaborates on the rules.

For everyone wondering about timing on Underwood: Pretty sure a reason to do it now would be that the Giants can't claim him. It's too late.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 5, 2012

... If that's indeed why the Patriots are doing it now, my guess is it was planned, and Underwood was apprised of it all along.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 5, 2012

The earliest the Giants could pickup Underwood is Monday, so the Patriots don't have to risk losing a player to their Super Bowl opponent. Remember, coaches are always paranoid, and Bill Belichick certainly looks to find every competitive advantage available while preventing his opponents from doing the same. After all, Josh McDaniels did join the team as a quality control coach just before the Patriots faced the Broncos.

So releasing Underwood 24 hours before the Super Bowl was cold, but it's just another reminder that the NFL is a business. Underwood may have known the move was coming, but that doesn't make it any easier to swallow for him. Then again, I'm sure plenty of coaches would pull the same move Belichick did, so there's that.

PHOTO: New York Giants Are Super Bowl 46 Champions