The New England Patriots are three-point favorites over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI, and oddsmakers aren’t the only ones projecting Tom Brady and Bill Belichick to win yet another title. Most experts are predicting New England to win their second Super Bowl in three years.
Considering the success of the two franchises in recent years, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that most media members seem to be leaning towards the Patriots. Not only has New England reached seven Super Bowls since 2002, but they led the NFL with a 14-2 record in the 2016 regular season. Having made just one other Super Bowl in franchise history, Atlanta won the NFC South with an 11-5 record.
Experts for the largest sports media outlet, ESPN, are almost exclusively picking the Patriots to win. Mike Golic, former NFL defensive lineman and co-host of ESPN Radio’s “Mike and Mike,” is the only expert of the eight polled that chose Atlanta.
The experts at CBS Sports have a little more faith that the Falcons will be able to pull off the upset. Five of their eight experts have predicted an Atlanta victory.
Current NFL players seem to be firmly on New England’s side. Of the 18 Pro Bowlers that gave FOX Sports a prediction, 12 took the Patriots.
Those who cover the NFL have been wrong often when trying to predict the Super Bowl in recent years. The underdog has won the Super Bowl five years in a row, including a 14-point win for Denver a year ago.
Tom Brady, pictured speaking with the media during Super Bowl 51 Opening Night at Minute Maid Park on Jan. 30, 2017 in Houston, is expected by many experts to win his fifth title. Photo: Getty Images
Here are some expert predictions for the 2017 Super Bowl:
Dave Richard, CBS Sports: Patriots
Jamey Eisenberg, CBS Sports: Patriots
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Falcons
Will Brinson, CBS Sports: Falcons
Jared Dubin, CBS Sports: Falcons
Dan Graziano, ESPN: Patriots
Adam Caplan, ESPN: Patriots
Matt Bowen, ESPN: Patriots
Seth Wickersham, ESPN: Patriots
K.C. Joyner, ESPN: Patriots
Mike Golic, ESPN: Falcons
Anthony Riccobono, International Business Times: Falcons
Bobby Ilich, International Business Times: Patriots
Greg Price, International Business Times: Patriots
Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys: Falcons
Michael Bennett, Seattle Seahawks: Patriots
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneer: Patriots
Eric Weddle, Baltimore Ravens: Patriots
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