With the NFL season kicking off this weekend, we thought it’d be a good idea to see who our staff thinks is going to win the Lombardi trophy this year. These are their answers to: ‘Who do you think will win Super Bowl LVII?’
Bills Mafia won’t wait 30 years
By Caden Sexton
After winning the AFC East for the second year in a row, I’m predicting the Josh Allen-Stefon Diggs connection will lift the Buffalo Bills to their first title since 1994. They may have lost their offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll to the New York Giants and their star corner Tre’Davious White to the PUP list, but their offseason additions will make you pause and think, “How can anyone stop this team?”
The front office put in the grind, signing free agents like Von Miller to play an important role attacking the edge and Rodger Saffold to become a veteran presence locking up the left side of the line.
The loss of Cole Beasley can actually be seen as an improvement since it gives more playing time for Gabriel Davis and Isaiah McKenzie to show their true potential. Additionally, tight-end Dawson Knox is always ready when they enter the redzone.
If you’re asking me, Sean McDermott is coaching this team to a 14-3 record and taking the Lombardi from Arizona back home to Buffalo.
The Los Angeles Rams are going back-to-back
By Luke Kotcher
As a St. Louis native, it pains me to pick the Rams for 2023. Plus, it is super hard to go back-to-back. Even in saying that, Matthew Stafford will have another great year after 287.4 yards per game last season – the fourth best in the NFL.
I may have some bias because I went to high school with rookie RB Kyren Williams, but CBS Sports has the Rams at 12-1 odds this season, just behind the Bills, Bucs, Packers and Chiefs.
The loss of Odell Beckham Jr., although hurtful, was offset by the acquisition of Allen Robinson II from the Bears. With a stout defense led yet again by Aaron Donald, the Rams will hope for a healthy Cam Akers and prance their way to back-to-back Super Bowls.
Brady & the Bucs will win another
By Mason Klemm
In what will most likely be Tom Brady’s last year, it’s only right that he ends it with yet another Super Bowl.
Almost completing the comeback in last year’s divisional round against the eventual champion Rams, injuries and a last-second field goal derailed Bruce Arians’s team from a chance at back-to-back championships. Now, with Todd Bowles at the helm, they look to reach the promised land once again.
Chris Godwin is trending towards being ready for the start of the season and they added Julio Jones and Russell Gage to an already stacked receiving core. However, Brady is without Gronk, and the last time that happened the Patriots were upset in the Wild Card.
Despite this, the Bucs defense will undoubtedly put up big numbers. Adding Keanu Neal to replace Jordan Whitehead and Akiem Hicks to go alongside Vita Vea on the line means Bowles’s heavy blitz scheme could work out in the end. They have a tough stretch of games to start the season, but if all goes well, it could result in an eighth ring on Brady’s finger.
The Chargers will get their first ring
By Jonathan Michel
I really like the Chargers to win the Super Bowl this year, especially because of their defense.
Defensive end Joey Bosa and safety Derwin James will make the rather small group of Charger fans hearken back to the days of Shawn Merriman and Eric Weddle wreaking havoc. Although he may be past his prime, linebacker Khalil Mack is a strong addition along with cornerback Bryce Callahan. Add in J.C. Jackson and Asante Samuel Jr. in the secondary and the back seven for Los Angeles will be nothing short of a force.
Quarterback Justin Herbert is on track to have the best season of his career and running back Austin Ekeler leads a group of four strong in the backfield. The Chargers play in the uber-competitive AFC West, which will make them battle-tested for the playoffs.
