[Editor's note: Promoted from the FanPosts.]

Welcome to the Super Bowl Edition of WTS, Volume 1. This edition will contain predictions and Q1. Normally, when a WTS requires more than one volume, I'll split the comments by conference. This has generally worked because the major prime time games we've played, and obviously the play-offs, have all been against NFC opponents. But the Super Bowl proved to be a different beast all together, and I felt the best way to do it justice was to combine the conferences and simply break it down by quarter.

Since this volume covers pregame and first quarter, I thought it would be a great time to all have some fun at the expense of national NFL talking heads and their weekly bullshit predictions. Especially during the playoffs, we had the pleasure of sitting through mind-numbing analysis, expert predictions, and unending hype trains centered around our opponent. There really isn't much else I can add to what Mayor Kelce already expressed during the Parade, so let's get to it. Below will chart game predictions and notable comments, for better or for worse.

NBC Sport's PFT (Florio and MDS)



Divisional Round ~ (Florio = Falcons 27, Eagles 17. MDS = Eagles 17, Falcons 14.)

"...most people are picking Atlanta. I’m not. I think the Eagles are a better all-around team than people are giving them credit for, and they can win without Wentz." ~ MDS

Conference Round ~ (Florio = Eagles 16, Vikings 13. MDS = Vikings 24, Eagles 20.)

"Based on 45 years of following the NFL closely (old), and witnessing the Vikings coming up short in a big spot again and again and again, the home team gets the edge — and the Eagles secure the right to lose in the Super Bowl. Unless they can get the Super Bowl moved to Philadelphia." ~ Mike Florio

Super Bowl ~ (Florio = Patriots 30, Eagles 27. MDS = Patriots 28, Eagles 20.)

"In hindsight, we’ll able be saying we should have known what is coming on Sunday night in Minnesota." ~ Mike Florio

SI's MMQB (11 Contributors)



These rankings covered the entire staff's predictions throughout the playoffs, including the wildcard.

I included the intro paragraph because it pretty much sums up what they thought our chances were.

"According to our staff, home-field advantage will play a role in Super Bowl 52. The Vikings are the heavy favorite in the NFC, picked to win the conference by 10 of our 11 prognosticators. (There was little confidence in the NFC’s top seed, the Nick Foles-led Eagles, who were pegged as one-and-done by all but one voter.) As for the AFC champ, it was a near-even split between the top two seeds. Ultimately, Minnesota, with the opportunity to play as a (likely) home underdog on February 4, ended up tied with the Patriots as the leading vote-getter to win it all."

Side note on the MMQB predictions, while it already stated that there was only one person who picked us to make it past the divisional round, nobody picked us to make it to the SB, let alone win it. After we actually made it to the big game, and the staff had to make their picks between us and the Patriots, we got a little more love, with 4 of the 11 staff members choosing the Eagles to win it all, and 2 of the 4 actually picking Foles to be the MVP. I've included some of the hotter takes below

Super Bowl ~

"Patriots 29, Eagles 15. Bill Belichick has two weeks to prepare for a team led by Nick Foles missing its best offensive lineman. So … Yeah." ~ Robert Klemko

"Patriots 27, Eagles 16. The Patriots can win this game in the number different ways. The Eagles can only win it through dominant defensive line play, and even then it's by no means a promise." ~ Andy Benoit

"Patriots 30, Eagles 14. I'd love a competitive Super Bowl, but we won't get one in Minneapolis. I'll take Brady and Belichick over anyone any day, and that includes Foles and Pederson." ~ Jonathan Jones

"Eagles 22, Patriots 21. MVP - Nick Foles. Backup quarterbacks have a pretty good record in Super Bowls. Foles is the new Jeff Hostetler." ~ Kalyn Kahler

USA Today







Good picks guys.

ESPN

Super Bowl Picks ~ 61 picks for the Patriots and 24 for the Eagles.

For anyone wondering, Graziano was indeed one of the 24 people who picked the Birds to win. Kerney and Wingo also picked the Birds, whereas Riddick did not. You now who else picked the Birds? Golic. But after his first 2 picks, too late, nobody cares.

Also, to Seth Wickersham who predicted the Pats were going to win with a final score of 38-9, f*** you.

Bleacher Report

2 out of 10 "experts" picked the birds to win. Whatever.

NFL

Of all of the expert picks circulating around, NFL.com's were probably the most balanced. Props to David Carr, who was one of the few to predict an Eagles win, and the only one who picked Nick Foles to be the SB MVP.

Also, for anyone who read these before actually watching the game, Greg Rosenthal's Bold Prediction (he picked the Pats to win by one) was definitely heart stopping...

Bold prediction: A missed extra point by Jake Elliott will help decide the game.

CBS Sports

Surprisingly, CBS actually had more analysts pick the Eagles to win the SB than any other outlet. Below are all 3 playoff week picks. Big shout out to Ryan Wilson, who was clearly stuck between two assholes on the below graphic.

lol @ Jared Dubin and John Breech... also, f*** you.

On to the goods.

Observations from all quarters of the comments:

(Keep in mind some of these observations may not yet be apparent in Q1)

1) The size of Pederson's balls were mentioned in pretty much every comment thread.

2) People enjoyed the irony of Brady's inability to catch the trick play pass after his wife's text a few years back.

3) The Cowboys seemed as upset as the Patriots.

4) 2 GLOVES is the Vikings version of BtB's Tony_P, and he is awesome.

5) Everyone hates Cris Collinsworth, and wish he would shut up.

6) WTF Eli?

Enjoy!

PREGAME WARMUPS

















































































































AND IT BEGINS: 1ST Q STARTS WITH 2 FG'S











































THE BIRDS DRIVE AND SCORE (ALSHON TD)













































WTF ELLIOT



























































END OF Q1 ~ EAGLES 9, PATRIOTS 3.



This wraps up the Q1 Volume of WTS: Super Bowl Edition. Keep an eye out for Q2 to hit sometime on Tuesday.