Today's the day for the San Francisco 49ers, their head coach, Jim Harbaugh, and for the team's legion of loyal and moderately long-suffering fans (I write from the perspective of a Chicago Cubs partisan). For the players, it's time to see how much postseason glory their fine 13-3 regular season will buy them. For Harbaugh, it may be the defining moment of a wildly successful rookie season as the team's spiritual and strategic leader: In the New Orleans Saints, the Niners are up against a frighteningly efficient offensive machine. And for fans--finally a day to get worked up about a game that really means something.
Enough of the set-up. Game time is at 1:35 p.m. PST on Fox (Channel 2 in the Bay Area). For pregame hors d'oeuvres, let me offer up a little radio chips and salsa:
First: Sports talk host Rick Tittle from San Francisco's 95.7-FM The Game, broke down today's 49ers-Saints contest with KQED News host Kelly Wilkinson yesterday afternoon. He even predicts the outcome. Here's the link: 49ers Faithful Brace for the Playoffs.
Second: Here's a piece I did for NPR's Only A Game a couple weeks ago that focuses on Harbaugh's role in the team's winning season (and what fans think about the coach). It's here: Jim Harbaugh Inspires 49ers to Division Title.