Way Too Early Super Bowl Predictions

After an action-packed offseason, we are finally days away from kickoff for the 104th regular season in the National Football League.

It’s also time to start the countdown to watch who will be playing for the Lombardi Trophy this season in Sin City as Super Bowl LVIII takes center stage in Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada.

Matt Cabram’s Pick: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Both of these teams had heartbreaking endings against the Kansas City Chiefs to end their late postseason runs but could run the tables again.

The Bengals have some of the best odds to win the Super Bowl but there are parts that need to align if they want to increase chances.

If Cincinnati can keep most of this core along with an agreement on a mega extension with Joe Burrow, the Bengals can compete with the reigning champs the Chiefs.

Having Burrow along with the Bengals receiving core in Jamar Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd this team can dominate offensively in both the AFC and the league.

Cincy also has a great running back Joe Mixon, including Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson on their defensive line.

Over in the NFC, the Eagles are by far the best-looking team to take over the conference again.

Jalen Hurts came in at No. 3 in this season's NFL top 100, along with AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert and D’Andre Swift, making the Philly offense one of the best in the league.

Their offensive line is led by Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson, but what separates the Eagles from the rest of the league is how dominant they are on both sides of the ball.

Philadelphia’s front seven on their defense is stacked with Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, Haason Reddick, Nakobe Dean, Fletcher Cox and first-round draft pick Jalen Carter.

While the date with the Lombardi Trophy is months away, both of these teams have a great chance to run their conferences all the way to the big game.

Owen Gelber’s Pick: Miami Dolphins vs. Minnesota Vikings

After a disappointing finish to last season, the Fins and the Vikings are seeing red this season.

As everyone knows, Kirk Cousins is an absolute beast on 1 p.m. kickoffs, and lucky for Skol Nation, the Vikings have eight 1 p.m. kickoffs.

After a scary head injury in week 16 ended Tua Tagovailoa’s season, Tua will rely on his offensive line to keep him healthy through the postseason.

The Vikings will have no problem winning the NFC North, with weak divisional opponents like the Bears and Lions. On the other hand, it will be a bit tougher for the Dolphins to conquer their division, matching up against teams like the Jets and Bills, but if Tua stays healthy, the Fins’ should get it done.

The Vikings added USC wide receiver Jordan Addison to their already talented wideout roster and the Dolphins have arguably the two fastest wide receivers in the league with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Allegiant Stadium’s scoreboard will be lit up through four quarters, with neither team having the strongest defense, but both teams being able to score at will.

When healthy, the Dolphins and Vikings have a plethora of weapons that can put six on the scoreboard at any given moment. Super Bowl LVIII will be a sight to see, but only time to tell.

Erik Stead’s Pick: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The two top quarterbacks returning for the 2023-24 NFL season will be one of the greatest games anybody would like to see happen again just because the last Super Bowl was an amazing game to see between the Eagles and the Chiefs.

Both teams have a great offensive line with a lot of returning players, but they also have some new players joining them from different teams which will make the offensive game pretty strong on both sides.

Defensive plays are the keys for both the Eagles and Chiefs if either team can hold it down when it comes to stopping the ball.

The Chiefs offensive tight end Travis Kelce was a dominating figure against the Eagles, he just happens to be the little brother of Jason Kelce. Travis Kelce was the Chiefs' main target dominating the Eagles.

Overall, the Eagles' performance was legendary. Making a little adjustment on the defensive end so all the players can be on one page, can fulfill a Super Bowl dream.

A picture of Jalen Hurts kneeling down when he lost the Super Bowl had to sting a little bit, so this year he will be ready to run on all cylinders.

This will be Jalen Hurts third year as starting quarterback, I feel like he will show much improvement from last year and all eyes will be focused on him so I’m gonna go with the Eagles all the way.

Rob Cardini’s Pick: Denver Broncos vs. Detroit Lions

Yes. You did in fact read that right. I believe that the Denver Broncos vs. the Detroit Lions will be facing Las Vegas come Super Bowl Sunday.

“But Rob, the Lions haven’t made the playoffs since 2016 the Broncos were an absolute dumpster fire last year with Russell Wilson looking like a practice squad QB at times.”

Well, yes these things are in fact true and would lead many to pick the same old boring teams to make the Super Bowl like the Chiefs, Eagles, 49ers or Bengals.

When it comes to the Broncos the formula for success seems to be pretty simple. Newly acquired head coach Sean Payton needs to get Russell Wilson back to his old self since It is no secret that under head coach Nathaniel Hackett last year, Wilson was a shell of his prime years in Seattle.

The Broncos defense, led by star players like Pat Surtain II, Justin Simmons and Frank Clark, only gave up 21.1 points per game; a number that worsened immensely in the last three weeks of the season when all hope was lost for the team.

Thus, if Wilson can be any kind of version of his Seattle self and the defense stays healthy, the Broncos could be bound for the Super Bowl especially if they get a home playoff game at Mile High Stadium.

As for the Lions, I would describe it as “ride the wave.” Ever since head coach Dan Campbell took over the team the stigma around Lions football changed for the better.

It is that same stigma that helped quarterback Jared Goff revamp his career with the team and become one of the top QBs in the NFC, thriving and building a connection with young star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

The biggest question surrounding the team is their defense which they bolstered up in the past draft taking lineback Jack Campbell out of Iowa and defensive back Brian Branch from Alabama.

With the NFC North and the NFC as a whole being one big question mark I think the Lion's time is here. And when it comes down to it I trust Russell Wilson and Sean Payton to get the job done in Las Vegas and bring home the Lombardi trophy.

Antonio Fondacaro’s Pick: New York Jets vs. San Francisco 49ers

The NFL season is always filled with way more drama than anyone expects coming into it. I know what you're thinking, the Jets? Aaron Rodgers getting his shot at a second title? Sounds like an absolute fantasy.

What is most peculiar about this prediction is that it's not actually that insane. The Jets have fully loaded on offensive weapons during the offseason and finally acquired the quarterback desperately needed to carry an already Super-Bowl-caliber defense to the top.

The first test for the Jets is to conquer their division. Buffalo, New England and Miami are all chomping at the bit with various big additions to their respective rosters.

Where the Jets have an edge is their elite defense. As long as newly acquired quarterback Aaron Rodgers can score enough points, the defense will close out many games throughout the regular season.

The NFC is where things get tricky. It's essentially a race between last year's powerhouses with a couple of sneaky wildcards in between. I chose the San Francisco 49ers because I believe their team holds the most balanced roster in the NFL.

It's not last year's Super Bowl runner-up the Philadelphia Eagles Because they will have to adjust to losing both offensive coordinator Shane Steichen and defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon respectively. It's hard to see the Eagles winning a tough NFC East if the team struggles early on.

Could the Jets flounder after a tough early outing proving that they are indeed “The same old Jets?” Sure. But the world is not ready for a hungry Aaron Rodgers looking to prove a point.

Matt Cabram is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, emailmwc5817@psu.edu

Antonio Fondacaro is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email adf5400@psu.edu

Owen Gelber is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email omg5144@psu.edu

Rob Cardini is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email rvc5706@psu.edu

Erik Stead is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ems7003@psu.edu