Who will win Super Bowl titles? Here are Eric Rueb's postseason predictions
Eric Rueb takes a look back at his preseason football playoff picks and breaks down who he thinks will win Super Bowl titles now that the playoffs are here.
Predicting Super Bowl winners is an uncertain endeavor. Back in September, I managed predictions for various playoff teams in several divisions, outperforming my academic achievements at East Providence High School. I correctly guessed six playoff teams in Division I, five in Division III and IV, and three in Division II. However, I trust my instincts more than the conventional wisdom, so here are my playoff predictions.
In Division I, I’m rooting for Nick Stafford and North Kingstown, despite the unfavorable matchup against Hendricken. Although St. Raphael would have been my pick in the rain, I’m choosing Cranston West instead, due to their last-minute schedule change. In the semifinals, I predict Hendricken will prevail over North Kingstown, as North Kingstown can neutralize Hendricken’s pass rush by running the ball 55 times.
La Salle, with players in every position, should score heavily against West, who prefers a rematch of their Week 0 game. I’m sticking with my preseason Super Bowl pick, as I have faith in the Hawks' ability to dominate.
For Division II, I’m confident that East Providence and Westerly will have a thrilling quarterfinal game. However, I don't believe in picking against my preseason choice, so I'll pick the Broncos. I don't foresee a Johnston victory, so I apologize to Johnston fans and choose the Panthers. An East Providence-Johnston matchup would be exciting, as East Providence's strong running game could secure their Super Bowl berth.
Burrillville-Westerly is a close game, but I trust the Broncos more than the Bulldogs. I believe Westerly has a slight edge, but Burrillville is my pick due to their preseason selection and improved roster.
In Division III, Mt. Hope is the underdog I'm endorsing. Despite their size and strength, they're overlooked but should still win the division. Chariho's home advantage gives them a slight edge over every other team except Mt. Hope. The Patriots' worst performance could still be good, while Mt. Hope's worst performance might be disastrous. I trust Mt. Hope's consistency to secure the Division III title.
Finally, for Division IV, Juanita Sanchez and North Smithfield have a matchup that could decide the Super Bowl champion. While North Smithfield has some talent, Sanchez's team's focus and disciplined play should carry them to victory. In the other semifinal, an injured Smithfield faces Scituate, which isn't an even matchup. If Scituate can overcome their injury challenges, they have a chance to win.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
