Super Bowl 2014 Expert Predictions: Who is going to win Super Bowl XLVIII
By Josh Sanchez
With Super Bowl XLVIII set to kick off in a matter of hours, many are wondering what team the experts around the sports media world are choosing. A large number of the media has decided to roll with the Denver Broncos over the Seattle Seahawks, but there is a reason that they play the game and we will find out who the true winner is later tonight.
Here is a look at some expert predictions from around the internet:
FanSided.com
Bryan Rosa, Assistant Editor, FanSided.com
: Great defenses often show up in the Super Bowl and that will be the case with the Seahawks, but Peyton Manning is an assassin and good as the Seattle defense is, they can’t stop all weapons at all times. It’ll be a nail biter but Denver squeaks out on top.
Broncos: 24, Seahawks: 21
ESPN.com
CBS Sports
WRITER | WINNER | SCORE | SUPER BOWL MVP |
PETE PRISCO Senior NFL Columnist | Broncos 30, Seahawks 20 | MVP: Peyton Manning | |
PRISCO’S TAKE: Manning has had two weeks to come up with ways to dissect the Seattle defense, a unit that can be confusing up front and simplistic in the back end. They don’t play a lot of complicated looks, but rather play a lot of single-high safety. To me, that’s asking for it against Manning.As one defensive back told me last week, “If they stay in single-high, it’s a wrap.” That’s how I see it too. Manning is too good not to change things up on a regular basis. And Seattle rarely does on the back end. They play Cover-1 and Cover-3. Not much else. I think Manning will have his chance to be patient and carve them up. On the other side, Seattle will counter with the running of Marshawn Lynch, but I expect Denver to play eight-man fronts and make Russell Wilson beat them. In the end, I will take Peyton Manning over Russell Wilson. | |||
JASON LA CANFORA CBS Sports NFL Insider | Seahawks 27, Broncos 24 | MVP: Percy Harvin | |
LA CANFORA’S TAKE: I’m rolling with the Seattle Seahawks here. I picked them to win it all in the summer and I see no reason to change that now. I like the defense to make Peyton Manning just uncomfortable enough, I like Golden Tate to make a few big plays against a suspect Denver defense, I like Percy Harvin to make something happen on special teams and on offense, and I like Marshawn Lynch to be a factor throughout.I figure it takes 27 points to win this game, and I believe the Seahawks can get there, win the turnover battle and take home the first Lombardi in franchise history. | |||
PAT KIRWAN NFL Insider | Seahawks 24, Broncos 21 | MVP: Marshawn Lynch | |
KIRWAN’S TAKE: Ten days ago, I was asked on CBSSports.com for the winner of the Super Bowl. I said the score would be 24-21 with Denver winning the game, much to the shock of my good friend Pete Prisco. Since then, I have watched all the tapes, spent time with both teams and talked to many people that played these clubs. I’m sticking with my score, 24-21, but I’m switching teams.I believe Seattle will frustrate the Denver offense just enough to keep the game close for four quarters, and whether it’s a critical turnover or a special play by Percy Harvin, Seattle wins. Weather should not be the factor, but it comes down to defense and the Marshawn Lynch run game. Peyton Manning will be brilliant in defeat but the Denver defense misses by a hair. | |||
WILL BRINSON NFL Writer | Broncos 31, Seahawks 21 | MVP: Peyton Manning | |
BRINSON’S TAKE: Seattle’s defense is impressive and I hate going against Russell Wilson, especially since he has a knack for proving people wrong with his performances in big games.But Peyton Manning’s had two weeks to prepare for this matchup and with Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and Wes Welker able to win one-on-one matchups and Manning able to deliver enough ducks their way, the Broncos pull this one out and secure Manning’s legacy as an all-time great. |