If you have listened to the latest episode of the Three and Out Podcast then you know already what my prediction is (and if you haven't you need to check it out. Simply put, I'm never picking the Ravens and ain't going to here. I think this season was in essence a changing of the guard with the young QBs and I think the "X-Factor" Colin Kaepernick will be the difference for the Niners as they win their 6th ever Lombardi Trophy.
49ers 24 Ravens 10
Showing posts with label super bowl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label super bowl. Show all posts
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Monday, January 30, 2012
Super Bowl XLVI Prediction
I know it's Monday and there is still 6 days to go before the Super Bowl but I have a little time right now to get my prediction written down. I have a fairly busy week this week with leading small group, several times speaking and this weekend helping take some college students down to Myrtle Beach for Converge (winter retreat for college students across the state of South Carolina).
Once again, I go into the Super Bowl matchup with a 6-4 record after correctly predicting the conference championship games. This year's matchup is a rematch of Super Bowl XLII back in February 2008 between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. New York vs. Boston, another epic matchup between those two cities.
The last time both teams were in the big games was that matchup that saw the then undefeated Patriots lose to the underdog Giants. I'm sure there will be many references to that game for the next week or so. In fairness, these are two different teams now than when these two teams faced off 4 years ago.
This version of the Patriots have a defense that is less than stellar, though they did pick it up in the playoffs. Their receiver corps is probably less talented than the previous version but their TEs with Gronkowski and Hernandez are better (though the health of Gronk's ankle will come into question). I would say the Pats running game this time around is a little better and one can never count out Tom Brady especially with a week off to rest up.
This version of the Giants has again a top notch front 4, I would say their linebackers are probably not as good as their SB winning team and their secondary is hit or miss. Their receiving corps is better this time around with Nicks, Cruz & Manningham. Their running game is probably better but it's inconsistent though recently they've been a little bit more consistent. Eli Manning is playing better this year and could rightfully be considered a top flight QB.
Last time around I picked the Pats because I wanted to see an undefeated season. This time around there's not that so it makes for a harder game to figure. Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses. Both head coaches (Tom Coughlin & Bill Belicheck) are veteran coaches who know how to win.
Best way to decide? Go with the fantasy football team. I have three players in this game: Wes Welker and Stephen Gostkowski for the Pats & Ahmad Bradshaw for the Giants. Both Welker & Bradshaw had weeks where they scored the most points for my team in the regular season. Welker had more of those. I'm going with that. Pats get revenge for Super Bowl XLII and beat the Giants.
Patriots 27 Giants 24
Once again, I go into the Super Bowl matchup with a 6-4 record after correctly predicting the conference championship games. This year's matchup is a rematch of Super Bowl XLII back in February 2008 between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. New York vs. Boston, another epic matchup between those two cities.
The last time both teams were in the big games was that matchup that saw the then undefeated Patriots lose to the underdog Giants. I'm sure there will be many references to that game for the next week or so. In fairness, these are two different teams now than when these two teams faced off 4 years ago.
This version of the Patriots have a defense that is less than stellar, though they did pick it up in the playoffs. Their receiver corps is probably less talented than the previous version but their TEs with Gronkowski and Hernandez are better (though the health of Gronk's ankle will come into question). I would say the Pats running game this time around is a little better and one can never count out Tom Brady especially with a week off to rest up.
This version of the Giants has again a top notch front 4, I would say their linebackers are probably not as good as their SB winning team and their secondary is hit or miss. Their receiving corps is better this time around with Nicks, Cruz & Manningham. Their running game is probably better but it's inconsistent though recently they've been a little bit more consistent. Eli Manning is playing better this year and could rightfully be considered a top flight QB.
Last time around I picked the Pats because I wanted to see an undefeated season. This time around there's not that so it makes for a harder game to figure. Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses. Both head coaches (Tom Coughlin & Bill Belicheck) are veteran coaches who know how to win.
Best way to decide? Go with the fantasy football team. I have three players in this game: Wes Welker and Stephen Gostkowski for the Pats & Ahmad Bradshaw for the Giants. Both Welker & Bradshaw had weeks where they scored the most points for my team in the regular season. Welker had more of those. I'm going with that. Pats get revenge for Super Bowl XLII and beat the Giants.
Patriots 27 Giants 24
Friday, February 4, 2011
Super Bowl XLV Prediction
It's time again for the Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLV. I had an interesting picking time this postseason. I was .500 until the Conference Championship round when i picked both games correctly. Coming into this game, I'm 6-4 picking games.
This year's matchup is the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the Green Bay Packers. Two teams known for their toughness and their defenses, though they both have pretty good offenses. Pittsburgh has won the Super Bowl twice in the last five seasons while Green Bay hasn't won since the '96 season.
I'll make this short and sweet. I don't like Pittsburgh. I still think back to Super Bowl XL where the refs pretty much gave the game to them against the Seahawks. And I usually go with a rule that if I don't like a team, I'm picking against them. Even though the Madden simulator had them winning (and they've been right except for once the past six years or so), I think one key element will play a huge factor. Starting Center Maurkice Pouncey is out for the game. Given the Pack's 3-4 D, it'll be tough for a backup center to hold off B.J. Raji.
I'm going with the Pack and Aaron Rodgers (part of my fantasy football team [K.C. Masterpieces] that won the championship in the Speed Kills league) to get the championship.
Packers 27 Steelers 17
This year's matchup is the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the Green Bay Packers. Two teams known for their toughness and their defenses, though they both have pretty good offenses. Pittsburgh has won the Super Bowl twice in the last five seasons while Green Bay hasn't won since the '96 season.
I'll make this short and sweet. I don't like Pittsburgh. I still think back to Super Bowl XL where the refs pretty much gave the game to them against the Seahawks. And I usually go with a rule that if I don't like a team, I'm picking against them. Even though the Madden simulator had them winning (and they've been right except for once the past six years or so), I think one key element will play a huge factor. Starting Center Maurkice Pouncey is out for the game. Given the Pack's 3-4 D, it'll be tough for a backup center to hold off B.J. Raji.
I'm going with the Pack and Aaron Rodgers (part of my fantasy football team [K.C. Masterpieces] that won the championship in the Speed Kills league) to get the championship.
Packers 27 Steelers 17
Friday, February 5, 2010
Super Bowl XLIV Prediction
It's almost time for Super Bowl XLIV. The game is on Sunday and so it's time for my pick. This postseason I've done really well with picking as I've gone 7-3. I'm assured a winning record for the playoffs but it'd be nice to pick the winner of the Super Bowl as well. Last decade (in case you were wondering, from Super Bowl 34 to 43) I went 5-5 in picking the winner of the Super Bowl. We'll see how the new decade shapes up.
We get a great matchup in the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints. In the regular season, I picked this as the Super Bowl matchup, though after Week 16 I thought otherwise (more on that later). We get two high powered offenses, two big name quarterbacks (Peyton Manning and Drew Brees) and what should be one exciting show.
In breaking down the matchup, it seems a lot of people are favoring the Colts because of Peyton Manning and rightfully so. He is arguably one of the best quarterbacks ever. He is the franchise player for the Colts for over a decade. This team rides on his arm. On the other side, you have Drew Brees, who wasn't a slouch at all at QB. He revived the Saints franchise and has been both a leader on and off the field. As much as what Peyton means to the Colts, Drew means as much as the heart and soul of the Saints.
One of the things I think that has gotten overlooked and what I think will play a factor is the running game. As much as it's been a pass happy league the last few years, running the ball is important (and I don't count bubble screen passes as runs) and I think will play a role in this game. When I look at the two teams' running games, Indy has a solid running game in Joseph Addai and the rookie Donald Brown. But, the edge goes to the Saints in that their running back duo (Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush) has been a little more consistent this season and has the ability to break a run for a big gain.
Another key will be special teams. The Colts have the oldest player to start a Super Bowl in K Matt Stover. He's reliable but won't be able to kick long field goals. That will factor in. The Saints K Garrett Hartley is young, has the leg but has missed some key field goals (though he did hit the game winner in OT in the NFC Championship game). Return game edge goes to the Saints (Reggie Bush/Courtney Roby vs Chad Simpson/T.J. Rushing).
Obviously a key story is Dwight Freeney and his injury. I think regardless of whether he plays or not, he will not be 100% and that will be a factor. He is known for his speed and with his ankle not 100% he won't have the full speed he needs to disrupt things. That in turn will upset the balance of the rest of the defense.
Important stat: In the regular season, the Saints had a +11 giveaway/takeaway while the Colts had a +2.
It has been a tough decision to figure out who to root for and who will win. For me, there are three factors in which I went with the decision I did. First, the Colts decision to basically quit on the last two games of the regular season. I thought then it was wrong and still do. I wouldn't want to reward them with a Super Bowl for doing something like that and deep down I think they won't win and that will be rectified. Two, though many people are picking the Colts, if you're not a Colts or Saints fan, the rooting interest might be steered more towards the Saints. Three, in a Madden simulation of the game earlier this week, the Saints won that game. That simulation has predicted the winner of the Super Bowl 5 out the last 6 years.
As much as I love Peyton (being a UT guy), I think the choice for me is clear....
Who Dat rolls to the victory
New Orleans 38 Indianapolis 30
MVP: Drew Brees
We get a great matchup in the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints. In the regular season, I picked this as the Super Bowl matchup, though after Week 16 I thought otherwise (more on that later). We get two high powered offenses, two big name quarterbacks (Peyton Manning and Drew Brees) and what should be one exciting show.
In breaking down the matchup, it seems a lot of people are favoring the Colts because of Peyton Manning and rightfully so. He is arguably one of the best quarterbacks ever. He is the franchise player for the Colts for over a decade. This team rides on his arm. On the other side, you have Drew Brees, who wasn't a slouch at all at QB. He revived the Saints franchise and has been both a leader on and off the field. As much as what Peyton means to the Colts, Drew means as much as the heart and soul of the Saints.
One of the things I think that has gotten overlooked and what I think will play a factor is the running game. As much as it's been a pass happy league the last few years, running the ball is important (and I don't count bubble screen passes as runs) and I think will play a role in this game. When I look at the two teams' running games, Indy has a solid running game in Joseph Addai and the rookie Donald Brown. But, the edge goes to the Saints in that their running back duo (Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush) has been a little more consistent this season and has the ability to break a run for a big gain.
Another key will be special teams. The Colts have the oldest player to start a Super Bowl in K Matt Stover. He's reliable but won't be able to kick long field goals. That will factor in. The Saints K Garrett Hartley is young, has the leg but has missed some key field goals (though he did hit the game winner in OT in the NFC Championship game). Return game edge goes to the Saints (Reggie Bush/Courtney Roby vs Chad Simpson/T.J. Rushing).
Obviously a key story is Dwight Freeney and his injury. I think regardless of whether he plays or not, he will not be 100% and that will be a factor. He is known for his speed and with his ankle not 100% he won't have the full speed he needs to disrupt things. That in turn will upset the balance of the rest of the defense.
Important stat: In the regular season, the Saints had a +11 giveaway/takeaway while the Colts had a +2.
It has been a tough decision to figure out who to root for and who will win. For me, there are three factors in which I went with the decision I did. First, the Colts decision to basically quit on the last two games of the regular season. I thought then it was wrong and still do. I wouldn't want to reward them with a Super Bowl for doing something like that and deep down I think they won't win and that will be rectified. Two, though many people are picking the Colts, if you're not a Colts or Saints fan, the rooting interest might be steered more towards the Saints. Three, in a Madden simulation of the game earlier this week, the Saints won that game. That simulation has predicted the winner of the Super Bowl 5 out the last 6 years.
As much as I love Peyton (being a UT guy), I think the choice for me is clear....
Who Dat rolls to the victory
New Orleans 38 Indianapolis 30
MVP: Drew Brees
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Super Bowl XLIII Prediction
Well, it's time for the prediction for the Super Bowl. I'll be short and sweet. I don't like Pittsburgh. I'm not going to root for Pittsburgh, and I don't pick a team I can't root for. So that in of itself turns me to Arizona. Plus, the Cardinals are an NFC West team. I know I wasn't on the bandwagon before but I'm willing to admit that I'm willing to get back on now. So because of that (and the high explosive offense that the Cards have), I'm going to go with the Cards for the win.
Cardinals over Steelers 34-21
MVP: Kurt Warner
Cardinals over Steelers 34-21
MVP: Kurt Warner
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