2011 NFL Preview: Peter King Predicts Falcons over Chargers in Super Bowl XLVI

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Can senior NFL writer Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) correctly predict who plays in the Super Bowl for the second year in a row? King was on the money last year when he said the Packers and Steelers would reach football’s Promised Land. Now, after a four-week road trip through over 20 training camps, King predicts the Falcons will take down the Chargers, 24–20, in Super Bowl XLVI. This year’s NFL Preview also contains detailed scouting reports for every single team and a list of eight great matchups for every division.

The six regional covers for the Sept. 5 NFL Preview—on newsstands Wednesday—feature Jerod Mayo (Patriots), Calvin Pace (Jets), Curtis Lofton (Falcons), Lamarr Woodley (Steelers), Clay Matthews (Packers) and DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys). Below is the last time each team appeared on the cover and how many appearances they’ve had overall:

PETER KING’S PREDICTIONS

REGULAR SEASON (page 70)

AFC EAST AFC NORTH AFC SOUTH AFC WEST 1. Patriots (12–4) 1. Steelers (10–6) 1. Colts (10–6) 1. Chargers (11–5) 2. Jets (10–6)* 2. Ravens (10–6)* 2. Texans (9–7) 2. Chiefs (8–8) 3. Bills (7–9) 3. Browns (8–8) 3. Jaguars (7–9) 3. Raiders (7–9) 4. Dolphins (6–10) 4. Bengals (3–13) 4. Titans (6–10) 4. Broncos (5–11) NFC EAST NFC NORTH NFC SOUTH NFC WEST 1. Eagles (10–6) 1. Packers (11–5) 1. Saints (10–6) 1. Rams (9–7) 2. Cowboys (9–7) 2. Lions (10–6)* 2. Falcons (10–6)* 2. Cardinals (7–9) 3. Giants (9–7) 3. Bears (8–8) 3. Buccaneers (8–8) 3. Seahawks (6–10) 4. Redskins (5–11) 4. Vikings (6–10) 4. Panthers (4–12) 4. 49ers (5–11)

*Wild-card team

PLAYOFFS