Dustin Baker’s Super Bowl LIX Prediction
According to Vegas oddsmakers, the most probable matchup for Super Bowl LVIII is the Kansas City Chiefs versus the San Francisco 49ers — which all but guarantees that particular combination won’t occur.
Dustin Baker’s Super Bowl LIX Prediction
In fact, that was the Super Bowl matchup last year, and February rematches rarely shakedown in the NFL. It hasn’t happened in 31 years, with Troy Aikman’s Dallas Cowboys and Jim Kelly’s Buffalo Bills as the last example.
Thinking outside of the box, considering dark horses, roster strength, team age, and parity in the NFL, consider this a Super Bowl LIX prediction.
AFC Champion: Cincinnati Bengals
Picking against the Kansas City Chiefs might seem silly, but it’s also a little goofy to predict the same franchise winning the chip thrice consecutively. That’s never happened — probably for a reason.
So, one has to wonder, “Who can knock off the Chiefs?” Well, since Joe Burrow entered the NFL, the Bengals have chipped off Kansas three times, more than enough evidence to support a Bengals-happy theory. Of course, it won’t be easy or straightforward, but Cincinnati can do it.
This may be the last run with the current offensive group, including Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Let’s reward the Bengals here with a Super Bowl appearance.
The New York Jets, with a healthy Aaron Rodgers, are also fascinating.
NFC Champion: Philadelphia Eagles
Avoiding a San Francisco 49ers prediction because of a very real thing known as the Super Bowl Runner-Up Hangover, the Eagles will do just enough to reach Super Bowl LIX.
This squad inexplicably collapsed last November, December, and January, and it still doesn’t really make much sense. However, general manager Howie Roseman has constructed a Super Bowl-worthy roster, even without Jason Kelce, who retired this offseason.
Philadelphia will slay the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers — the powers that be in the NFC.
Super Bowl LVII
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Philadelphia Eagles
These franchises last met in a 2020 game — and tied. They feel destined for a grudge match, which will occur in February. Interestingly, the Bengals and Eagles actually play in the regular season this year, so consider October 27th a Super Bowl preview.
Non-Missourians will enjoy this Super Bowl prediction because it’s a breath of fresh air without the Chiefs, and most will cheer for the Bengals; they’re just more lovable than the Eagles.
For the “quarterback wins” crowd, it’s Burrow vs. Hurts in the championship.
Super Bowl Champion
Winner: Cincinnati Bengals
27-20
Super Bowl MVP
Joe Burrow
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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