Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers: Watch Live Stream Online, Preview, Prediction, Betting Line for 2012 NFL Season Opener

The Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers are set to square off on Sunday afternoon in a heavily anticipated 2012 NFL season opener.

The contest is set to get underway at 4:25 p.m. ET at Lambeau Field. The game will be broadcast on FOX. If you can't get to a TV, you can watch a live stream online by purchasing NFL Sunday Ticket Max.

It's one of the most highly-anticipated games of this season. Both teams received a bye in last year's playoffs and are the two favorites to make the Super Bowl from the NFC.

It's a matchup of the best offensive team against the top defensive unit. Green Bay scored 35 points per game a year ago, while San Francisco gave up just 14.3 points per contest.

The Packers take the field for the first time after a disappointing end to the 2011 season. Green Bay almost had a perfect season, going 15-1, before losing to the New York Giants in their first postseason game.

Aaron Rodgers looks to continue his MVP performance. He won the award after throwing for 45 touchdowns to just six interceptions.

Wide receiver Greg Jennings and tight end Jermichael Finley are Rodgers' top options. They played sparingly in the preseason, and Finley didn't play at all until the last exhibition.

Alex Smith will try to continue the success he had a year ago. It was his most productive season as a pro. He threw 17 touchdowns to just 5 interceptions in all 16 games.

He has a lot more weapons to work with than he had last season. San Francisco added Mario Manningham and Randy Moss in free agency. With Michael Crabtree and tight end Vernon Davis, expect the 49ers offense to be improved.

LINE: Packers are favored by 5 points.

Prediction: These are probably the two best teams in the NFC. The 49ers defense should be able to at least contain Rodgers, so it will probably come down to if Smith can make big plays down the stretch. Unfortunately for San Francisco, he hasn't proven he can do it on a consistent basis.

Predicted Score: Green Bay 24, San Francisco 20