Super Bowl 2013 Date, Time & Predictions: Experts Predict Close Game; Picks Split Mostly Evenly Between 49ers & Ravens

The big game is almost here, and experts and pundits are already picking their favorites to win Super Bowl XLVII.

This year's Super Bowl will be a first, with each team coached by two brothers, Jim and John Harbaugh; Jim coaches the NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers and John is at the helm for the AFC Champion Baltimore Ravens.

Both teams have been said to have a lot of similarities, particularly with their tough-as-nails defense and each one featuring excellent quarterbacks (Joe Flacco for the Ravens and new NFL sensation Colin Kaepernick for the 49ers.)

However, only one team will emerge with the Vince Lombardi trophy on Sunday, Feb. 3.

ESPN has a slew of experts who are weighing in their picks.

Cris Carter, a "Sunday NFL Countdown" and "Monday Night Countdown" analyst, is picking the 49ers, 31-27. "Kaepernick is going to run the ball a lot," he said.

Legendary Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka, also a "Sunday NFL Countdown" and "Monday Night Countdown" analyst, agreed and predicted the 49ers, 28-24. "I like what Jim [Harbaugh] has done and how he's built the team. If the 49ers do not get a pass rush, they will be in trouble, but they have found a way to get it done all season," said Ditka.

Steve Levy, an anchor for "SportsCenter", however, picked the: Ravens to win, 27-24. "I think the Ray Lewis' 'distraction' this week helps keep Baltimore focused, and it's time John Harbaugh outshines his brother Jim," he said.

Vinnie Iyer of AOL Sporting News is also going with the Birds, noting that Baltimore has the emotional edge given their motivation to win one for retiring Ravens legend Ray Lewis. "Baltimore has been building to this moment for a while under John Harbaugh, and its experience will help it to steal the game late. Ravens 24, 49ers 23," Iyer writes.

Even New York Times pollster Nate Silver, who had one of the most accurate election prediction maps for the presidential election this past fall, weighed in. He picked the 49ers to go over the Ravens, largely because he believed San Francisco to be the superior defensive team.

"The 49ers also have the better offense," he writes, "so there isn't much to recommend the Ravens..."