The ESPN team will have their Super Bowl pregame show starting at 10a.m
Every year the folks at ESPN publish their Super Bowl predictions and so here you go find out how your favorite personality thinks of the game.
For the Colts –
Chris Berman, Host of Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown: 31-21. Both quarterbacks will have big games. I don’t think it’s quite the high, pinball wizard, scoring affair that we think it’s going to be but there will still be plenty of points. Peyton Manning may be playing the best football of his career, which is saying a mouthful.”
Tedy Bruschi, NFL Live analyst and three-time Super Bowl champion: 35-31. “No team has beaten the Colts all year.”
Cris Carter, Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown analyst: 31-27, “Caldwell finishes the almost perfect season.”
Colin Cowherd, host of ESPN Radio’s The Herd: 33-27, “Colts, but Brees outplays Manning. Turnovers will hurt the Saints.”
Herm Edwards, NFL Live analyst: 31-27. “The winningest play-caller of the decade, Peyton Manning, will have the biggest impact in this game. Manning’s ability to keep his poise under pressure will allow him to focus on the job at hand, which is to win the Super Bowl.”
Mike Golic, NFL Live analyst and co-host of ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning: 31-24, “Saints won’t be able to keep up with Colts offense.”
Mike Greenberg, co-host of ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning and SportsCenter anchor: 37-23, “Payton Manning’s just too good.”
Merril Hoge, NFL Live, NFL Matchup and NFL PrimeTime analyst: 31-27, “Their defense and I know Freeney may not play. Their defense is underrated.”
Gary Horton, ESPN Scouts Inc.: 31 21, “Peyton Manning can carve up the elite defenses in the NFL and the Saints do not fit in that category, but at least they are opportunistic. Manning will make the necessary adjustments needed during the game and the Saints will be shocked at the speed of this Colts defense.”
Tom Jackson, Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown analyst: 35-24, “Peyton Manning will figure out that defense pretty quickly with two weeks to prepare. Defensively, those turnovers the Saints depend on, I played on a defense like that – and you can’t depend on them. Peyton will be awfully careful protecting the football.”
Steve Levy, SportsCenter anchor: 41-28. “While the Saints will enjoy a home field advantage, the passing Peytons will not turn the football over more than once. New Orleans will find out very early they’re no longer playing the Vikings.”
Kenny Mayne, Sunday NFL Countdown contributor: 31-20. “Because the Colts have Peyton Manning.”
Matt Millen, Monday Night Countdown analyst: 35-31. “The Saints defense is similar to the Jets defense in what they try to do and how they give you different looks. They play great as a unit, but it will take Peyton about a half to figure it out.”
Chris Mortensen, NFL senior analyst: 37-31, “I don’t assume that we’re simply waiting for a coronation of Peyton Manning and the Colts; not with Drew Brees, not with Reggie Bush on an extra week’s rest and not with a team like that Saints that has destiny written all over it.”
Sal Paolantonio, NFL Correspondent: 28-17. “Unlike the Vikings, the Colts will not turn the ball over five times. Peyton Manning does not throw 4th quarter interceptions.”
Adam Schefter, NFL Insider: 34-24, “Might have to soon rename the Lombardi Trophy – a Manning wins the Super Bowl for the third time in four years.”
Mark Schlereth, NFL Live and NFL PrimeTime analyst and three-time Super Bowl champion: 37-24, “Underrated Colts defense gives Peyton Manning more opportunities with the ball.”
Michele Tafoya, Monday Night Football reporter: 35-27. “The Colts have two critical edges: Peyton Manning and the experience of having won before.”
Mike Tirico, Monday Night Football play by play commentator: 34-26. “A day for the offenses and the masters of the quarterback craft. I feel a strong emotional pull towards the Saints but can’t go against the best on the biggest stage, and Peyton is the gold standard.”
Michael Wilbon, Pardon the Interruption co-host: 34-28. “Peyton Manning.”
Marcellus Wiley, NFL Live analyst: 38-23, “The NFL’s Most Valuable Player will prove his worth once again this Sunday. Too much Peyton…Colts win!”
Trey Wingo, NFL Live and NFL PrimeTime host: 37-24. “Peyton at the peak of his powers.”
Russell Baxter, NFL research coordinator: 38-27. “Don’t underestimate the Colts’ recent Super Bowl experience, which will enable them to get out to an early lead and eventually hold off a Saints’ cub that will get over the early jitters in time to make it a competitive game late.”
Matthew Berry, ESPN Fantasy Football expert: 37-31, “I think they’re the more well-rounded team, and I don’t trust the Saints defense.”
Chris McKendry, SportsCenter anchor: 28-24, “Colts defense will give Peyton Manning the time and opportunity he needs to win.”
PICKING SAINTS:
Trent Dilfer, NFL Live analyst: 35-31. “Saints offense dominates the game, not only finishes drives with touchdowns but gives Peyton limited opportunities.”
Mike Ditka, Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown analyst: 31-28. “Because I want them to win.”
Jon Gruden, Monday Night Football play by play commentator: 30-27. “It’s the Saints year. Who Dat!”
Ron Jaworski, Monday Night Football and NFL Matchup analyst: 31-30. “Forty years ago, the Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs played in the Super Bowl. Hank Stram was very innovative with shifts and motions that confused the Vikings’ defense. I look at this game the same way. Sean Payton is a very innovative coach and I like that in this matchup.”
Keyshawn Johnson, Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown analyst: 35-28: “When these two teams were undefeated, I said how important it was for Sean Payton to be relevant. He’ll do that by erasing all the memories of a franchise that used to be known for fans putting bags over their heads.”
Michelle Beadle, Co-host, SportsNation: 42-35: “I’m part of Who Dat nation this week and I don’t believe in field goals.”
Rick Reilly, ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com columnist: 27-24. “Because I am sick to death of being happy for the Mannings’.”
Ryen Russillo, ESPN Radio host: 21-17. “The Saints have more depth at corner than anyone the Colts have faced.”
Stuart Scott, SportsCenter anchor: 44-41. “The Colts haven’t faced an offense this good all season. Both quarterbacks are superb. The Saints are going to jump out to a lead. The Colts will climb back and it will be a seesaw game the rest of the way.”
Scott Van Pelt, SportsCenter anchor and ESPN Radio host: 28-24. “Not one human thinks this can happen, so I will take the Saints (and I’m not happy about it).”
Steve Young, Monday Night Countdown analyst and three-time Super Bowl champion: 45-42. “The final chapter of a great story. The Saints have to outscore the Colts in a shootout to win.”
Stan Verrett, SportsCenter anchor and New Orleans native: 31-24, “It’s a destiny thing. Believe Dat!”
