With the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots on Thursday, the 2017 NFL season is officially underway! We’re taking a look at some of the experts’ early predictions for Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis.
Bleacher Report: New England Patriots vs. Green Bay Packers
In Bleacher Report’s NFL season preview, a panel of 10 the sports outlet’s most talented and experienced writers and analysts got together to discuss the upcoming season. The matchup of New England vs. Green Bay in Super Bowl LII was the most popular choice.
“The leading vote-getter was the matchup many are hoping for. The television networks certainly are. After all, the Patriots and the Packers would be a programmer’s dream. Two of the NFL’s most successful and popular franchises. And two of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play the game in Brady and Aaron Rodgers. The Packers came up just short last year with a flawed team that was exposed by the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game. An improved defense will put them over the top in 2017.” – Read the full preview here.
Judy Battista, NFL.com: New England Patriots vs. Green Bay Packers
“It’s practically impossible to pick against a team that won the Super Bowl a year ago and improved its offense and defense in the offseason. This might be the best Patriots team yet — New England will repeat as champion.” – Read the full preview here.
Steve Wyche, NFL.com: Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks
“Derek Carr fakes the handoff to Marshawn at the 1 then hits him on a waggle pass to win it in the waning seconds.” – Read the full preview here.
Andy Benoit, Sports Illustrated: New England Patriots vs. Green Bay Packers
“Of course, none of these teams compares with the Patriots, that franchise you either outright love or outright hate. I searched for the courage to pick against New England, but common sense kept getting in the way…I’ll go with the Pats over the Pack, who, while talented, run too hot and cold.” – Read the full preview here.
Steven Ruiz, USA Today: Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots
“In the Super Bowl, the Seahawks get some revenge and knock off a one-loss Patriots team to lift their second Lombardi Trophy. Russell Wilson wins Super Bowl MVP.” – Read the full preview here.