Super Bowl LII Fearless Forecast

The 52nd edition.
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If you look at the Badger factor to decide which team to favor, Wisconsin alumni tip toward the Philadelphia Eagles 3 to 2.

Running back Corey Clement, Defensive lineman Beau Allen, and safety Chris Maragos play for the Eagles.  Maragos is on the team, but out for the year with an injury.

New England has one Badger, running back James White.

The Eagles head coach is a former Packer quarterback.  Doug Pederson backed up Brett Favre and the two are close friends.  Favre is speaking to the team the night before the game.

There are two former Green Bay Packers playing for the Patriots - Lawrence Guy and Ricky Jean Francois are defensive lineman discarded by the Pack.

I don't know how to interpret that other than to say sometimes the team surrounding a player influences individual performance.  They may have done better with different teammates in Green Bay.

AFC champ New England is the betting favorite.  Philadelphia had the best record in the NFC, but when they lost their starting quarterback to a season-ending injury most gave up on their chances to reach the big game.

Nick Foles v Tom Brady doesn't sound like an even match-up.  It seems unlikely Philadelphia can win.   But here they are.  As I suggested a couple weeks ago, if I'm rooting for the Eagles I know my team has a chance since we are in the game.

My prediction - I think Doug Pederson leads the Eagles to their first NFL title since they beat Green Bay in 1960.  Philadelphia 27  New England 25.