Hmm... In recent history, it's been more about which commercials "win" the viewers' attention (game notwithstanding), as pointed out by the article. At the most expensive advertising rate in the season per second, we shouldn't find that a bit surprising ("money changes everything," blah). End result: Folks don't run to the 'fridge for a Coors light during stuporbowl commercials; they stay riveted to the TV, breath bated, waiting to see who's spent the most dosh in the most creative way. That's certainly not sports; it's marketing, and marketing (like it or not) well executed.
FWIW: The officiating was consistent with the rest of the season's; predictably abysmal. And, I enjoyed the Careerbuilder ad the most (I work with those chimps). I also found it interesting there was no "patriotic" theme espoused (very much in contrast to last year's fiasco).