Super Bowl XLIX Prediction

There's no repeats here. I don't envision either Denver or Seattle to reach the Super Bowl this season, despite the talent and depth of both teams. Rather, I believe it will the New England Patriots squaring off against the Green Bay Packers -- a match up we will see in Week 13 of the regular season.

New England reached the AFC Championship game in 2013 despite injuries to several key players (Rob Gronkowski, Jerod Mayo, and Vince Wilfork to name a few) and less talent and depth than this year's roster. It's true the AFC's other top team, the Denver Broncos, have also improved. I still give the edge to the Patriots because they boast the better defense and when the lights shine bright Tom Brady thrives, while Peyton Manning shrinks. Darrelle Revis will make every other player on the Pats' defense better, while the offense has more weapons and last year's rookie receivers are now comfortable in the offense. And Bill Belichick and Tom Brady might have something to do with it, too. I think the Patriots will have the best record in the league this season, meaning they'll be playing at home throughout the playoffs. The Pats beat the Broncos in the AFC Championship game.

Green Bay was not a very healthy team last season, either. Aaron Rodgers missed the last seven games of the regular season. Clay Matthews and Nick Perry were slowed by injuries throughout the season, while Bryan Bulaga, Randall Cobb, Casey Hayward, DuJuan Harris and Jermichael Finley all ended up on injured reserve. This season, the Green Bay Packers are a much improved football team. I am particularly impressed by their linebacking corps. Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers on the outside, with A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones inside. The versatile Mike Neal and 2012 first-round pick Nick Perry serve as next two in line at outside linebacker, with Andy Mulumba and rookies Carl Bradford and Jay Elliott providing exceptional depth. Jamari Lattimore and Sam Barrington are the backup inside linebackers. I expect Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers to have a lot of creative blitzes that utilize his allotment of talented pass-rushers. I think Green Bay will earn home-field advantage and play host to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game, ultimately beating them to advance to the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XLIX: New England Patriots 34 Green Bay Packers 24