2013 Regular Season: 161-94-1 (63.1%)
2012 Regular Season: 164-91-1* (64.3%)
Last Week: 1-1 (50%)
All-time Playoff Predictions: 13-7 (65%)
All-time Super Bowl Predictions: 1-0 (100%)
All-time Colts Predictions: 25-10 (71.4%)
Super Bowl Sunday is finally here!
Yeah, I know - I wish the Indianapolis Colts were still playing football, too... but watching Peyton Manning (for most Colts fans) is the next best thing, right?
The NFL got it's dream match-up for this Super Bowl: The leagues best offense against the best defense, Peyton Manning's incredible comeback story, Russell Wilson's rise to stardom - and, thanks to Richard Sherman, the classic 'Hero vs. Villain' storyline.
Good stuff, huh?
It appears that the weather will be 'tolerable' for Super Bowl Sunday - and the NFL really lucked out on that one. Could you imagine if they had to make good on the threats to move the game to another day? Talk about a PR nightmare. Maybe it's just me but I think the league and it's owners will think long and hard before booking the sports ultimate game in a cold-weather city with an open stadium.
Before we get to the games, here are some other fearless predictions, news and notes for the Super Bowl:
- Peyton Manning will be remembered as the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. I'm telling you now, he's unstoppable this season - and the Super Bowl (and how dominant the Broncos will be) will be the cherry on top of a pretty impressive Sunda(e)y. (See what I did there?)
- Russell Wilson will be a non-factor in the Super Bowl. If the Seahawks win (and I don't think they will) it'll be because of the Seattle defense and Marshawn Lynch. Mark my words - Russell Wilson WILL NOT be the Super Bowl MVP.
- The halftime show, performed by Bruno Mars, will be incredibly forgettable. While Mars is talented and his songs are catchy, he lacks the true star power to captivate a worldwide audience. In ten years Mars will be the subject of a trivia question - and you'll get it wrong.
- Peyton Manning will win the Super Bowl MVP and cap of the best season any quarterback has ever had in the NFL. This will be Manning's swan song, however - we will see a steady decline each season he plays after this one. Enjoy this game... it will be his finest.
On to the picks!
Seattle Seahawks (15-3) vs. Denver Broncos (15-3)
Line - Broncos by 2.5
I've waited until Friday night to make my pick for one simple reason - I had to see what the weather would be. If this game was going to be played in a mix of rain/snow and gusting winds (rendering the passing game useless) it was going to be one of the great failures in NFL history - and the game swung heavily in favor of the Seahawks. Now that the weather doesn't seem to be an issue, I have no problem predicting the same result I foretold in the preseason: The Denver Broncos will be Super Bowl Champions.
Unlike his Super Bowl win with the Colts, Manning will be the reason the Broncos win this Sunday. He will be in control the entire game and have some incredible stats to back it up. I'm predicting Manning to have over 300 yards passing and four touchdowns.
Like most Super Bowls, the game will be close at halftime and then the tide will turn - and the game will get away from Seattle.
I'm taking Manning and his 'duck-like' passes to put the finishing touches on Manning's legacy.
BRONCOS WIN 41-24
***
Agree? Disagree? As always, comments are welcome! I will track my picks during the season and brag when I'm right (and pretend I was right when I'm wrong). Pick against me if you dare - remember, I'm a Predictificationist.
Follow me on Twitter at @USAFootballBlog