Not that anyone reads this anymore. We've had two Super Bowls since I last posted. I will document my thoughts for each so we have a running account and then I will break down all four of this year's possible Super Bowls:
For the 2024 Super Bowl I would have predicted Chiefs vs 49ers having little faith in the Lions to defeat the 49ers and the NFL couldn't let it's golden boy lose. And I would have predicted (and been disappointed to see) a Chiefs victory.
For the 2025 Super Bowl I would have hoped that the NFL would have let the better team win and given Josh Allen a chance at a ring vs the Eagles. And for the winner of the game we saw I would have predicted the Eagles.
Now on to this year's preview!
It is hard to believe that this is the twentieth anniversary of this perennial post! If you would like to see how I've done in the past predicting the Super Bowl match up along with predicting the winner of the game we actually watch you can find a record of all of the Super Bowl predictions I've done on here going all the way back to 2007: All Four Super Bowl Previews Results.
Without further ado, let's dive in! Here is a breakdown of each possible Super Bowl from least to most compelling & a prediction of the winner of each matchup.
Seahawks vs Broncos
While the NFL loves a Super Bowl rematch it's difficult to get excited about a back-up quarterback facing the defense that has allowed the fewest points in the league this year! Combine that with the fact that Seattle has the 3rd best rushing defense and the path to victory for the Broncos will be entirely on the shoulders of Jarrett Stidham. Chances are good hadn't heard of him until the AFC Championship game. Stidham has backed-up such greats as Tom Brady, Derek Carr, and Bo Nix. You read that right, he wasn't even good enough to compete for the starting position against Derek Carr. If the Broncos make it, expect viewership to be very very low!
Winner: Seahawks
Loser: The companies who paid millions of dollars to have their ads on the big game
Rams vs Broncos
Again, back-up QB vs potential MVP candidate. Many pundits are trying to liken Stidham's chances to those of Nick Foles when he backed up Carson Wentz for the Eagles. Couple of differences: Foles started the last 3 games of the season and had some decent success as a starter prior to that. Stidham has no such advantage. The Broncos have a decent defense so this year and Matt Stafford (or as my friend refers to him "Stat Padford") isn't as good as his numbers make him appear. While Broncos aren't good enough to win this game will be closer than some might expect.
Winner: Rams
Loser: Drake "Drake Maye" Maye as Stafford is handed an undeserved MVP award
Patriots vs Seahawks
Now we are starting to get into the interesting games! Both of the Patriots potential match-ups are Super Bowl rematches. I guess that's what happens when your team has been to the Super Bowl 11 times. This year makes 12 (that's 4 more than the next team on the list!) And who can forget Malcom Butler's interception on the goal line to seal the victory for the Patriots! This game would be a battle of the defenses. and while I would rather see Patriots/Rams, this is the game I think we will see. Both the Seahawks and the Patriots have shown that, especially in the playoffs, they are difficult to move the ball against! Seattle hasn't seen many defesnses this year as talented as New England, while New England, on the other hand, has had to get past the number 1 and number 2 defenses in the league just to get here! Darnald throws a pick late and Maye's deep ball launches the Patriots to victory
Winner: Patriots
Loser: The Pittsburgh Steelers as they move to the second spot for most franchise championships
Patriots vs Rams
Here we have another Super Bowl rematch! What a great story this would be. Tom Brady's first and last Super Bowl win as a Patriot was against the Rams. Drake "Drake Maye" Maye has the opportunity to get his first Super Bowl win against the same team! Not only that but this game pits the two leading condenders for NFL MVP against each other! Matt "27 TD passes from inside the 10" Stafford vs Drake "Drake "Most prolific deep threat we've ever seen" Maye" Maye. The question is, which defense can stop their opponents vaulted offense. I think the edge goes to the Patriots: Their defense will have more take aways and Maye will struggle less with the Rams D than Stafford will agains the Pats.
Winner: Patriots
Loser: Everyone discounting the Patriots on account of their "easy schedule"
And that's just my opinion on what we can expect for this year's Championship Sunday! What's yours?
