The talk, the pomp and the circumstance are nearly done with as Super Bowl XLIX approaches. Front Row asked ESPN commentators for their predictions in the big game and the chart below offers those picks and a brief reason why from each prognosticator.
In keeping with the thought that Sunday’s game is evenly matched, 18 ESPNers chose Seattle; while 16 chose New England.
Be sure to catch all of ESPN’s weekend coverage from the Phoenix area, highlighted by a four hour Postseason NFL Countdown beginning at 10 a.m. ET and constant SportsCenter updates and complete post game coverage.
Super Bowl Predictions
| Talent | Winner, Score | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| John Anderson | SEA, 28-17 | “Russell Wilson.” |
| Chris Berman | SEA, 23-20 | “Against a Hall of Fame coach and a Hall of Fame quarterback, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, Seattle’s defense makes a case for being one of the best of all time.” |
| Tedy Bruschi | NE, 23-20 | “Stephen Gostkowski joins Adam Vinatieri in history, kicking the game-winning field goal for the Patriots as time expires.” |
| Frank Caliendo | NE, 24-18 | “I think the Patriots will score six more points than the Seahawks’ 18.” |
| Cris Carter | SEA, 24-23 | “Turnovers.” |
| Ryan Clark | NE, 27-21 | “New England’s defense is able to counter the Seahawks’ run game because of Browner and Revis.” |
| John Clayton | SEA, 24-20 | “Almost a repeat of the 2012 meeting with Russell Wilson getting a fourth-quarter drive to win.” |
| Colin Cowherd | NE, 27-16 | “The Patriots defense repeatedly keeps the Seahawks out of the end zone. Seattle settles for field goals and a Super Bowl appearance, instead of back to back wins.” |
| Jay Crawford | NE, 27-24 | “This game means as much to the Belichick-Brady legacy as any they have played, and they know that.” |
| Lindsay Czarniak | SEA, 24-17 | “A fitting ending for Marshawn Lynch to be named MVP.” |
| Trent Dilfer | SEA, 26-23 | “Tough to score touchdowns against the Seahawks defense. Russell Wilson wins it on a fourth quarter drive.” |
| Mike Ditka | NE, 24-17 | “Just think there’s more balance there. It’s not just Tom Brady.” |
| Herm Edwards | SEA, 27-24 | “Until somebody beats the Super Bowl champs, they’re still the champs.” |
| Mike Golic | SEA, 27-21 | “Like last year, Seattle’s defense is too smothering, even more than the multi-faceted Patriots offense.” |
| Mike Greenberg | SEA, 23-16 | “One of the great defenses of all time – and Marshawn Lynch.” |
| Jon Gruden | SEA, 23-20 | “Russell Wilson at crunch time makes the difference.” |
| Merril Hoge | NE, 28-13 | “Maybe the first time in Super Bowl history that a team can transform itself in two weeks. The changes on both sides of the ball that the Patriots can make are the difference.” |
| Tom Jackson | SEA, 20-17 | “Defense.” |
| Ron Jaworski | NE, 31-20 | “Seattle will have a tough time matching up with Rob Gronkowski.” |
| Keyshawn Johnson | NE, 20-17 | “Despite all the distractions over the past two weeks, Belichick will have this Patriots team ready to plan.” |
| Suzy Kolber | SEA, 17-14 | “Reminiscent of the Ravens of 2000 – the Seahawks are so tough for even the best offense to scheme against.” |
| Steve Levy | NE, 24-21 | “Belichick and Brady don’t like being questioned and won’t let the Seahawks off the mat the way the Packers did.” |
| Ray Lewis | SEA, 34-17 | “With a win, this Seattle defense has the chance to go down as one of the best in history.” |
| Kenny Mayne | SEA, 23-13 | “When 31-Seattle hits the first guy crossing, no one else will volunteer for the assignment.” |
| Chris Mortensen | NE, 22-16 | “The Seahawks don’t have the receivers to challenge New England and the Patriots’ diversity on offense gives them a slight edge.” |
| Wendi Nix | NE, 24-13 | “New England is running the ball well which could be problematic for Seattle given the injuries to Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas. And frankly, I just don’t think Tom Brady loses this game.” |
| Bill Polian | SEA, by 1 | “Turnovers are critical. If Russell Wilson turns the ball over like he did against Green Bay, it will be a blowout. If you give the Patriots gifts, they don’t go to the local store, they go to Neiman Marcus.” |
| Ryen Russillo | NE, 24-17 | “I have no idea.” |
| Adam Schefter | NE, 24-21 | “New England deflates Seattle’s hopes of repeating.” |
| Mark Schlereth | NE, 27-23 | “The Patriots control the middle of the field with Blount, Edelman and Gronk.” |
| Hannah Storm | SEA, 21-14 | “Top to bottom, the Seahawks defense is the best in the NFL. We’ve seen that wins titles, and Russell Wilson is unlike any quarterback the Patriots have faced this season.” |
| Mike Tirico | NE, 23-19 | “I truly have no earthly idea why. Every time I try to break the game down I’m convinced of a different outcome. Expecting a great game.” |
| Scott Van Pelt | SEA, 23-20 | “Always take defense, and my guess is Seattle got rid of its bad game.” |
| Trey Wingo | SEA, 27-20 | “Legion of Boom becomes legendary.” |
Allison Stoneberg, Mac Nwulu and Dan Quinn contributed to this post