2017 NFL Predictions: Super Bowl LII

Following an 8-part prediction series, the Steel City Underground team takes their stab at predicting the Super Bowl!

In case you missed it, here are our panel’s picks for all eight divisions around the league:

Let’s see what our team thinks about this year’s big game. (Spoiler: we’re a little biased toward one team!)

Zachary Celedonia

Steelers 31 Buccaneers 23

Ok, so I’m going with the Steelers because I feel this is honestly the best team I’ve seen them have during my life span. This is their year to make the push for Ben’s third and the city’s seventh. I feel the Bucs have transitioned quite nicely from team on the rise, to a contender. They have a very explosive offense with elite talent at wide receiver and Doug Martin is no slouch at running back when he’s out there.

Adding O.J. Howard to the already super productive Cameron Brate will only cause more nightmares to defensive coordinators. On defense, Gerald McCoy is one of the best interior D linemen in the game and Kwon Alexander behind him is a force. T.J. Ward being added to the mix was a perfect fit. They have all the pieces with a questionable offensive line.

Terry Fletcher

Steelers 27 Packers 24

I believe the Steelers will coast into the Super Bowl with a 12-4 record and the Patriots will realize that their 40year old QB has been trampled by his little brother the Steelers. However, I do believe the Packers will get there clawing their way during the season and both teams may be playing on fumes once we get there.

It will come down to the 4th quarter as it always does and Big Ben and company will find a way to get into the end zone. I have a feeling this game will finally anoint Chris Boswell as one of the killer bees.

Christina Rivers

Packers by six points or less

What’s crazy is that I legitimately see New England as vulnerable this season. Saying that, the Steelers should take the AFC… but there are a couple teams that will give them a run for their money in the conference, so they are going to have to play smart to get to AFCC. Looking at all the potentials, I’d say the NFC is going to be a battle all season, but the Packers are seriously a legitimate contender and will have to fend off Seattle. Packers vs Steelers in a Rodgers, Roethlisberger shootout and (at least this early) a likely Packers win in a very close game. I’d love to say Steelers, but concerned about longevity late in season.

Mike Pelaia

Steelers over Packers

Pittsburgh Steelers over the Green Bay Packers – A rematch of the 2010 season with a different outcome. The Steelers offense is just too unstoppable this year and the defense will be much improved. Big Ben and James Harrison go out on top!

Brian E. Roach

Steelers over Packers

AFC: Steelers, Patriots, Raider, Titans with the Broncos and Texans sneaking into the Wildcard spots.

NFC: Eagles, Seattle, Green Bay and the Falcons with the Cardinals and the Giants landing the Wildcards.

In the end, I have the Steelers hosting the AFC Championship against the Raiders in an old school matchup that doesn’t play like old-school on the field, with the Steelers winning and then heading into the Super Bowl to face the Green Bay Packers in a rematch of the 2010 Super Bowl, but this time the Steelers win and hoist that seventh Lombardi at seasons end.

Joe Kuzma

Steelers over Packers

I know a lot of us had the same picks, but I honestly don’t see a repeat of the Falcons getting to the big game this year. The Dallas Cowboys have too many suspensions and injury concerns for my liking, and I have to see for myself if Dak Prescott can avoid a sophomore slump.

Green Bay had a lot of the same needs as the Steelers heading into the offseason, and addressed each of them through free agency and the draft, signing TE Martellus Bennett and drafting players in the secondary. It’s a quarterback driven league, so Aaron Rodgers will carry this team as far as he can.

On the flip side, the only team who has ever scared me in the AFC is the New England Patriots, especially now that Baltimore appears to be trending downward. I see the Steelers securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs, and with a dual motivation of winning for the late Dan Rooney and sending James Harrison into retirement on top, I can’t see how this team falters this season.

Tommy Jaggi

Patriots over Packers 34-31

The Patriots have owned the Steelers in recent years. Yes, Pittsburgh has Martavis Bryant and Cam Heyward returning this year, but they will have to be spot on to get past New England. I don’t see it happening again this season, as the New England will likely be the number one seed in the AFC again this year. Don’t read too much into the Patriots blowout loss against the Chiefs, as they tend to start the season off slow. New England has also been dealing with the transition of new starters on offense, including Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore.

In the NFC I have the Packers going to the Super Bowl. Seattle and Dallas will both be legitimate contenders this year, and if Seattle can manage to grab the number one seed, that certainly changes things for me. However, the Packers have a great offense and a solid defense that will put them among the best teams in the league. The Super Bowl will be a shootout in which Bill Belichick and company bring home the Lombardi trophy once again.


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