It's hard to believe that this is the 14th year that I've been previewing each of the four possible Super Bowls. In fact, this very post was the only thing keeping this blog alive for many years.
If you perused my 2019-2020 playoff preview you'll see just how poorly I did getting 75% of the wild card games wrong. It was such a bad showing that I found myself pulling for the Eagles so I could go a complete 0 for 4! I would have also predicted the Ravens/Titans game wrong.
I just want to take a moment to highlight this astonishing fact: This is the first time since 2011 that the Patriots are not in the AFC Championship game! Eight consecutive years of appearing in the AFC Championship game is an amazing feat. They've faced 6 different teams over those 8 years (Chiefs, Jaguars, Steelers, Broncos [twice], Colts, & Ravens [twice]).
If you're interested in how I've done historically, here is a link to my previous 13 predictions:
All Four Super Bowl Preview Annual Results. I've gone 20 for 37 so far for a score of 54%. Let's see if we can get that up to 58% with this year's predictions!
As you've come to expect, I will preview the games from what I believe to be least compelling to most compelling. I'll highlight which game I'm predicting along with which team I think would win each of the four games.
Titans vs 49ers
Too few people even know who Ryan Tannehill is to put either game with the Titans very high on the compelling list. However, the Titans are currently the second best team remaining in the playoffs. That's right, the 6th seed out of the AFC is the second best team. Consider the following: Since switching QBs from Mariota to Tannehill the Titans have gone 9 - 3. They've gone 4-2 against playoff teams defeating the likes of the Ravens, Chiefs, Patriots, and Texans (Losing to the Texans and Saints) and winning most of these games on the road. Unfortunately for the Titans, the 49ers are the *best* team still in the running to hoist the silver football. If you didn't like last year's defensive, low-scoring Super Bowl, you won't like this one either. With two run-heavy, defensively-minded teams this will be a low-scoring game that will go by quickly. Additionally, this is the game that we will watch - and when we watch it, we will see Garoppolo and the 'Niners end the Cinderella story of Tannehill and the Titans in a closely fought game. I expect there will be a similar heartbreaking ending for the Titans as when they lost to the Rams: A late drive to try to win the game that comes just one play short.
Winner: 49ers
Loser: Everyone who didn't want to see "The Patriots" in the Super Bowl (Garoppolo, Vrabel)
Titans vs Packers
There is a storyline here: The trophy handed out to the winner of the Super Bowl is named for the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers: Vince Lombardi. The Tennessee Titans have never won the big game (not even in their previous iteration as the Houston Oilers). So here we have the team that won the first 2 championships (but not since 2011) vs a team that has never won. The Titans are on the way up while, on the other hand, The Packers are on the way down. They haven't looked like the Pack of the past. The Packers have struggled to win games where their opponent scored more than 20 points. Combine that stat with the fact that, of the four remaining teams, the Packers had the easiest schedule, don't expect them to overcome the fierce running game of Henry and the Titans. It'll be close at the end but the Titans pull out the win.
Winner: Titans
Loser: Quarterbacks under the age of 30
Chiefs vs Packers
Old guard vs the next big thing. This game would pit two similar offenses together. Powerful passing teams with supportive runners that both have less-than-stellar defenses. This would be a high scoring game as Rogers & Co march down the field with diligent and intentional drives that pick the Chiefs defense apart. The Chiefs would respond with their explosive offensive plays that pick up huge chunks of yardage as they out-match the Packer's D with their speed and quickness. This game will come down to mistakes vs big plays. Both of which will be made more by the Chiefs. The final one will be a desperation play that looks like it may win the game for Mahomes and his hommies (How could I resist) but will result in a game ending interceptions sealing the victory for Green Bay.
Winner: Packers
Loser: State Farm. For which of their QB spokespersons will they cheer?
Chiefs vs 49ers
I believe this is the game that the general public think they want to see. The highest ranked team in the NFC vs the highest ranked team remaining in the AFC. Garoppolo vs Mahomes. The two rising young quarterbacks who look like they maybe be the future Brady vs Manning. This looks like it has the makings of a great Super Bowl. Here's why they're wrong: While Kansas City has perhaps the most potent offense in the NFL that can score on short drives in the blink of an eye, their rushing defense is atrocious. The 49ers are a power rushing team with a quick-pass, west-coast offense that taxes pass defenses as though they were run plays. This match-up would have some exciting moments as the Chiefs attempt to climb their way back into the game but the 49ers will be in control for the majority of the game beginning late in the 1st Quarter. This snooze-fest concludes with Garoppolo hoisting his first (of several) Lombardi Trophy
Winner: 49ers
Loser: "The Old Guard" of Brady, Rogers, Manning, Rivers, & Brees
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