5:20 p.m. on 5, 8, “NFL Football” — Super Bowl XLVII preview, anyone? Two teams in complete command in their respective divisions clash tonight in Foxboro, Mass., where Tom Brady and the New England Patriots defend home turf from Alex Smith and the San Francisco 49ers. The Pats appear to have no challengers in the AFC East, leading the pack by four games as of Week 13. The Niners, meantime, appear to be headed to another NFC West title in a walk.
9 p.m. on 2, 9, “The Bachelorette: Ashley and J.P.’s Wedding” — On the whole, the track records of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” haven’t been great in terms of relationships that actually have lasted, but here’s a case that evidently has. Ashley Hebert — the 2010 “Bachelorette” — is slated to walk down the aisle with the man she chose on the series, J.P. Rosenbaum.
9 p.m. on USA, “Royal Pains” — Wedding bells are ringing along with the Christmas bells in
the feature-length new episode “Off-Season Greetings.” As Paige and Evan’s (Brooke D’Orsay,
Paulo Costanzo) wedding day approaches, Evan and Hank (Mark Feuerstein) head to Las Vegas for the bachelor party, while Paige and Divya (Reshma Shetty) go out of town for a bachelorette
getaway but also wind up in Vegas. Back in the Hamptons, a snowstorm threatens to scuttle the wedding plans.
9 p.m. on SHO, “Dexter” — The series’ seventh season has had its expected share of twists and turns, and they come to a head in the season finale, “Surprise, Mother ... !” There’s bound to be yet another big leap, since LaGuerta (Lauren Velez) is on the cusp of discovering Dexter’s (Michael C. Hall) lethal secret life. If that happens, it also will have a major impact on Debra’s (Jennifer Carpenter) future, since she’s now so aware of Dexter’s extracurricular activities.
10 p.m. on SHO, “Homeland” — One of the most praised series currently on television, the Emmy-
honored drama closes Season 2 with “The Choice.” That subtitle refers largely — but not only — to Carrie (Claire Danes), one of several people with a major decision to make. Probably not surprisingly, Brody (Damian Lewis) is in a similar situation, and his choice also involves his family
pivotally. Saul (Mandy Patinkin) also must choose what he’ll do in regard to a secret assignment.
