C.: Okay, d.c., you said that you would accurately predict this year’s Super Bowl winner today, even though the NFC and AFC championships haven’t been completed at this time (1/29/23 at 2:48 p.m.). I’m Jonesing to bet on football again, so tell me who will win.
d.: Okay, as of this date and time, there are four possibilities. Let me start with the AFC,
since I like to go in alphabetical order.
First, we have the odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl, in many people’s opinions. The Kansas City Chiefs are led by their talented quarterback on offense, the ultra-mobile Patrick Mahommes. However, the Chiefs’ offensive leader suffered a high ankle sprain in the last game, limiting his mobility. This is one of his most valuable assets as a quarterback. His ability to scramble keeps other teams honest when rushing him when he drops back to pass. High ankle sprains are unpredictable when it comes to recovery time, but no player has ever recovered in eight days time from this injury. Look for the Chiefs to change their strategy and run the ball with their talented running backs more than they usually do, and for Mahommes to stay in the pocket on most of his passes.
The Chiefs’ defense is led by defensive lineman Chris Jones, a six-foot-eight inch terror to the opposition. However, he and his teammates will be facing a quarterback whose mobility is similar to a healthy Mahomes’.
Some may believe that the Bengals are a team of destiny, led by sophomore sensation at quarterback Joe Burrow, who is trying to complete football’s “triple crown:” a Hiesman trophy, a college national championship, and a Super Bowl victory. I wouldn’t bet against such a talented player or offense such as the Bengals’.
The Bengals’ defense isn’t known as the team’s strength, but they are one of the few teams to keep Mahommes in check by keeping him in the pocket. That may be a necessity today, which will work to the Bengals’ advantage. Look for this game to be a dogfight. I’ll call this one a push.
On the other side is the NFC championship. The challenger is the San Francisco Forty-Niners, who, like some Super Bowl champions in the past, seem to have gotten hot at the right time. Their no-nonsense defense would be a challenge for mobile quarterback Jalen Hurts, who’s having a stellar campaign.
The San Francisco offense is led by a rookie, Brock Purdy. The former “Mr. Irrelevant” has led a talented group to just on the brink of the promised land. However, the two stars of the offense are running back Christian McCafferty and jack-of-all trades wide receiver Deebo Sweeney. These two have been instrumental in leading the NIner’s to the championship game. Some may believe that this team, like the Bengals, is a team of destiny. However, today they face a formidable foe.
The Philadelphia Eagles had the best record in the NFL this year. They are playing at home, where their fans can be vicious. It would seem to be an advantage for the Eagles to be playing on their home turf, unless they play poorly. The Philly fans have been known to boo their own team when it isn’t doing well, as well as the infamous incident when they booed Santa Claus.
Don’t expect the stands to be filled with boo’s for the home team, though. The Eagles sport a potent offense led by their talented and mobile quarterback. They have a bevy of talented skill position players, as well as an offensive line that’s regarded by many as the best in the NFL.
The Eagles’ defense is as staunch as the Forty-Niners, but they’re facing a mastermind in Niner’s coach Kyle Shanahan. I call this game a push as well.
C.: Now, wait one minute, d.c. You said that you would accurately predict the winner of the Super Bowl today, before either championship game is played. I can get ten to one odds on either underdog, if you’ll just tell me which one to bet on. So far, all you’ve said is that both games are a tossup! Tell me who will win this year’s Super Bowl before the odds change!
d.: Very well, Cal.E. I predict that the team that will win this year’s Super Bowl will be…. the team that scores the most points.
C.: Heavy sigh.
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