NFL Kickoff: Super Bowl Predictions

It’s that time of year again. The time of year when you get the chance to look like a complete genius or a complete fool. It’s Super Bowl Prediction time. Here are my previous years Super Bowl Predictions:

2011: Giants/Jets  , 2010: Packers/Ravens  , 2009: (Forgot?)/Ravens

Now here are my predictions for this year.

NFC: Chicago Bears

Right now, the Bears probably aren’t even the best team in their division let alone their conference but the key word is “right now”.

For the most part, to make a Super Bowl run, you need talent and you need that talent to come together at the right time.

Chicago has flat-out talent.

It starts with the quarterback, Jay Cutler.

Is Jay Cutler’s time now?

Cutler has all the tools of an elite quarterback, but at times, can make shaky decisions which lead to interceptions. He’ll need to cut down on his turnovers, to take his game, and the Bears’ game, to the next level.

It should help him that the Bears have added his former teammate, star wide receiver Brandon Marshall. Back in Denver in 2008, Cutler and Marshall were the best QB – WR duo in the NFL. By season’s end, the two should be able to rekindle that chemistry and Marshall should become the Bears’ first 1000-yard receiver since 2002.

Marshall’s addition also means that converted wide receiver, Devin Hester, can focus on returning punts and kicks again.

The pass offense is complemented by a dynamic running game, led by top-seven running back, Matt Forte.

In the regular season, it’s about offense. But in the playoffs, it comes down to defense, and the Bears have it.

The pass rush, led by All-Pro DE Julius Peppers, will give opposing quarterbacks trouble. Behind them, Captain Brian Urlacher and seven-time Pro-Bowler Lance Briggs anchor the linebacker crew. Their strong front seven should carry the secondary.

Last season, Chicago was 7-3 before Jay Cutler suffered a season-ending thumb injury. The season before, the team lost in the NFC Championship game.

This season, the Bears will build on that success to reach the Super Bowl, albeit as an under-the-radar contender as the favored Packers and high-powered Lions share the division spotlight early on.

AFC: Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens were one 32-yard game-tying field goal away from possibly going to the Super Bowl instead of the Patriots.

Ravens fans haven’t been able to sleep since January…This years’ team will try to change that

Still, that bittersweet loss did give Baltimore something to look forward to: the possible emergence of Joe Flacco as an elite quarterback. In that AFC Championship, Flacco threw for 306 yards and 2 TD, outplaying Brady in Foxborough. Flacco has led the Ravens to the playoffs in all four of his seasons, and has a 44-20 W-L record.

But for years Baltimore has won those games with its defense. This year the team seems built to win with its offense, behind Flacco and star running back Ray Rice.

The defense though remains one of the league’s best, even with the loss of star LB Terrell Suggs.

The Ravens are built for playoff football, and this year should be the year they finally break through to reach the Super Bowl.

Okay so I have Bears/Ravens in the Super Bowl, who do you have?