I am not in Minnesota. I’ll be watching the Super Bowl from the friendly confines of South Boston.
I’ve never been to the Super Bowl, actually. Sure, I’ve worked for several major media outlets in Boston over the last 10 years, but nobody’s been willing to pay my way like they do for everyone else, so, I’ve never experienced Media Day or Radio Row.
One day, of course. But for now, the show must go on, and the Super Bowl predictions still need to be made.
Before I give you my pick for the game though, just a reminder to put in a DraftKings lineup for the big game, with the “Single Game Showdown.” Pick four offensive players and two defensive players under a $50,000 salary cap. And oh yeah, get a free game with your first deposit by using my promo code, “PIC.”
And my DraftKings “Gotta have Em” play for the Super Bowl is Patriots running back Dion Lewis. He’s going to take up $8,900 of cap space for your squad, but I expect him to tally more than his 13.6 fantasy points-per-game average in this one. So take Lewis, and thank me later.
Here’s my pick for Super Bowl LII:
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-4) over Philadelphia Eagles
-The Patriots opened as a 5.5-point favorite. Now, as I make this pick on Tuesday afternoon of Super Bowl week, the Pats are just a 4-point favorite. Does that scare me? Not at all. In fact, if anything, it makes my pick that much easier. The less points the Eagles are getting, the better.
Here’s the deal, I think the Patriots will find a way to win this game. The main reason? Nick Foles. I would never be able to put my money on Foles beating Bill Belichick and Tom Brady in any game, nevermind the Super Bowl. Sure, Foles had a 27-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio as Philadelphia’s starting quarterback in 2013. But since then, he’s played for the Rams and the Chiefs, he’s been demoted to a backup quarterback, and is only starting in the Super Bowl during his second stint with the Eagles because the starting quarterback, Carson Wentz, suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Credit where it’s due, Foles was money in the NFC Championship, throwing for 352 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions against one of the best defenses in football in the Minnesota Vikings. I had picked the Eagles to win that game, mainly because it was in Philly. But Minnesota had no business being in that game. It should have been New Orleans.
What’s done is done, and Foles will now have to slay the beast in order to win a Super Bowl. Sorry, Philly, I just don’t see that happening.
The Patriots will most likely have Rob Gronkowski (concussion) ready to go by Sunday. And Brady’s injured throwing hand most likely hasn’t gotten worse since the AFC Championship nearly two weeks ago.
Those picking the Eagles to win this game will probably point to what they consider to be “distractions” for New England, entering this game. Those “distractions” probably include Brady’s “Tom vs Time” documentary, Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia leaving for head coaching jobs, and ESPN’s report a few weeks back that portrayed the Patriots’ organization as one that’s crumbling from within.
I consider all of that to be nothing more than just talking points for media members who need to fill airtime with something for two full weeks leading up to the Super Bowl. With one game left to play, if you think the Patriots will be focused on anything other than beating the Eagles, you’ve failed your NFL 101 course.
The Patriots are on a business trip with a coach and quarterback who are trying to win their sixth Super Bowl together. The Eagles are running around wearing dog masks, relying on their backup quarterback to turn water into wine.
I expect the Pats to win by a touchdown. I could see that touchdown coming late in the game. We’ll call it a 27-21 Patriots win. And a big day for Lewis out of New England’s backfield, as I mentioned earlier. Lewis is facing his old team, and when asked during the week what he remembered from his time in Philadelphia, he said, “Not playing.”
Lewis will be running with a purpose, which will also give Brady opportunities to take some shots down the field with the play action. Combine that with a couple turnovers for the Eagles’ offense, and the Patriots should once again put themselves in position for a late score and a Super Bowl win.
See you next February in Atlanta.
Listen to “The Danny Picard Show” at dannypicard.com and on the PodcastOne network. Also available on iTunes, Tunein, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Spotify.
