National Football League

NFL Spin Zone Staff Super Bowl LI Predictions for 2016

Updated Jan. 25, 2023 11:10 a.m. ET

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So many opinions when it comes to who will be playing in Super Bowl LI. Why not get a bunch of them in one place?

You know what they say about opinions. The same could be said about Super Bowl predictions. Everyone seems to have one before the season starts. Here at NFL Spin Zone we have plenty of writers and plenty of thoughts.

The Denver Broncos enter 2016 as the defending Super Bowl champs. However, there aren’t many predicting them to repeat given their changes on the offense. Subsequently, this is looking like a wide-open race in the NFL. But who is it going to be emerging from each conference? Moreover, which team is going to be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy come February?

Enclosed are our staff’s Super Bowl LI selections just before the start of the 2016 season on Thursday, Sept. 8. You will notice a lot of the same teams mentioned and numerous repeat picks. For your convenience, click on our writers’ names to find their Twitter accounts so you can agree or disagree with them.

Enjoy the piece and the various choices. To each his own.

Next: And So It Begins

Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) battles Kansas City Chiefs tackle Eric Fisher (72) during the third quarter in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Russell S. Baxter

Houston Texans over Seattle Seahawks: What irony. The last team to join the NFL becomes the first franchise to play a Super Bowl in its home stadium. The Texans take on a Seahawks team loaded on defense and playing in the Big Game for the third time in four years. Houston’s revamped attack will prove to be a bit too balanced for Pete Carroll’s club. Thus, Bill O’Brien and company will wind up hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

Cody Williams (Expert)

Arizona Cardinals over Oakland Raiders: I’m going all in on the Raiders hype train and saying that they not only make the leap, but just keep striding all the way to Super Bowl LI. Of course, I don’t think anyone is going to hold a candle to the Bruce Arians-led Cardinals in the regular season or postseason. With the danger they present on both sides of the ball, it’s the Cards’ Super Bowl to lose in my eyes.

Gil Alcaraz

Seattle Seahawks over Pittsburgh Steelers: Even without Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks make their triumphant return to the NFL’s biggest stage.

Sarah Bloom

Green Bay Packers over New England Patriots: The Green Bay Packers are as stacked as they’ve ever been. They welcome back Jordy Nelson to an already electric offense and this will be the year of Aaron Rodgers. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots will have a strong second-half of the season, overcoming Brady’s four-game suspension to earn a spot in the big game. However, that momentum won’t be enough to defeat the Packers.

Jacob Camenker

New England Patriots over Washington Redskins: The AFC is weak again this season, and I think an angry Tom Brady will be able to get the team to the Super Bowl. The Redskins are a sleeper team to make the big game. They have a vastly improved defense and they could be the surprise team of the season.

Next: A Few Interesting Selections

Aug 11, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during pregame warmups prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Karl Capen

New England Patriots over Arizona Cardinals: After beginning the season 0-4, Tom Brady comes back from his suspension with vengeance. He takes the Patriots to the Super Bowl and surpasses both Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw on the all-time Super Bowl quarterbacks win list with a victory over the stingy Cardinals defense.

James Cobern

Kansas City Chiefs over Seattle Seahawks: The Chiefs’ defense is ready to take the next step, while Andy Reid‘s offense (under Alex Smith) will be explosive enough to seal the deal. The Seahawks will prove to be the ultimate test, but I believe there is enough missing pieces on Seattle to allow a Chiefs’ victory.

Ryan Disdier

Green Bay Packers over New England Patriots: Bottom line: Aaron Rodgers is still the league’s best quarterback. Green Bay will be vastly improved this year with Jordy Nelson back and Eddie Lacy slimming down. New England, on the other hand, historically thrives when it’s them against the world. Watching No. 12 square off against No. 12 would make for one of the most compelling Super Bowls of all-time.

Stephen Forsha

Arizona Cardinals over New England Patriots: If they stay healthy the Arizona Cardinals have it all on offense. They boast a trio of wide receivers, a solid rushing attack, an offensive line capable of blocking for those running backs, and a veteran quarterback who seems to have fond the fountain of youth.

The defense of the Cardinals wasn’t at full strength in the playoffs last season. That made a difference in the NFC Championship last year. New England, once they regain the services of Tom Brady, will be on a mission to get back to the Super Bowl. It will be very tough to stop them when they are angry.

Raphael Garcia

Philadelphia Eagles over Oakland Raiders: Why? Because if Trump 2016 is a real thing, anything can happen.

Next: Plenty of Intrigue

August 26, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) hands the football off to running back Eddie Lacy (27) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi

Randy Gurzi

Carolina Panthers over Pittsburgh Steelers: The Panthers defense will continue to dominate all season long as the 2015 NFC champs get back to the big game. Thought the Steelers are improving on defense and ride a Big Ben hot streak through the postseason, they still don’t have enough to compete with Cam Newton and company.

Justin Huffman

Arizona Cardinals over Pittsburgh Steelers: A rematch from when Kurt Warner was running the show in Arizona. The Cardinals come in with a hungry defense and a playmaking offense thanks to a young franchise running back in David Johnson. Steelers ride a career year from Big Ben, and with the return of Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh blows through the playoffs. A close game changes tides in Arizona’s favor this time around.

Nafisa Hussein

Green Bay Packers over New England Patriots: This will be an epic shootout with each quarterback setting out to prove they’re better than the other.

Jeremy Klump

Green Bay Packers over New England Patriots: Two of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game go head-to-head. However, Aaron Rodgers gets the best of Tom Brady in an epic matchup.

Kris Knox

New England Patriots over Green Bay Packers: A healthy Patriots team may well have secured home-field advantage through the playoffs last season and, in turn, may have reached the Super Bowl. I believe they do so this season to meet the Packers, who are have a bounce-back season of their own. A rejuvenated Green Bay offense is good enough to win the NFC, but the Patriots defense is the difference-maker in the big one.

Next: A Few First-Time Winners

Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) against the Oakland Raiders during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

John Laird

Arizona Cardinals over New England Patriots: I expect Arizona’s defense to be one of the best throughout the entire 2016 season. The four-game suspension for Tom Brady won’t hinder the team too much, as they ride his arm to the AFC championship. In the end, the Cardinals defense will come through and secure the first Super Bowl for the franchise.

Lauren Lapaglia

Seattle Seahawks over Pittsburgh Steelers: This year’s Super Bowl will undoubtedly be one of the better years for a fiery competition in the championship. While the Steelers lack depth on defense, their front seven is solid and will propel the team straight through the playoffs. They have the best triplets in football, and as long as Ben Roethlisberger can stay healthy, they have an excellent chance at making a Super Bowl appearance.

Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, for four consecutive seasons, the Seahawks have allowed the fewest points in the NFL. In addition to their defensive strength, Russell Wilson had the best passer rating in the league in 2015 and is hungry for another Super Bowl win. As an overall more complete team, the Seahawks will send the Steelers home winless in Super Bowl LI.

Matt LaPan

New England Patriots over Arizona Cardinals: Week 1 will be a preview of Super Bowl LI—only this time Tom Brady will be involved. The Patriots will be on a mission and will bring home "one for the thumb" for the Brady-Belichick duo. The Cardinals defense will keep it close, but the Patriots will take this one in an instant classic.

Andrew Long

Pittsburgh Steelers over Seattle Seahawks: Pittsburgh’s offensive trio of Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell, and Antonio Brown will prove to be too much to handle for Seattle’s defense. While on the flip side of things, the young, talented group of linebackers on the Steelers defense consistently pressure Russell Wilson into bad throws. Pittsburgh walks away with the Lombardi and, in doing so, take home their seventh Super Bowl championship.

Neal Lynch

Carolina Panthers over Kansas City Chiefs: Cam Newton will use last year’s embarrassing Super Bowl loss as a stepping stone to earning his franchise’s first ever Lombardi. Even without Josh Norman and Jared Allen, Carolina will receive a boost from Kelvin Benjamin‘s return.

The odds-makers have the Pats winning their fifth championship, but KC’s defense was second best in the AFC last season. Meanwhile, the Bengals seem destined to repeat their playoff failures of years past.

Next: Plenty of Rematches

September 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) passes the football against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

David Mamola

New England Patriots over Seattle Seahawks: A Super Bowl XLIX rematch that will have the same result. This is Tom Brady’s year; he’ll come back from his suspension more focused than ever…and come away with his fifth Super Bowl ring.

Andrew Mills

Seattle Seahawks over New England Patriots: Tom Brady will not miss a beat after returning from suspension, easily winning the AFC East and bulldozing through the AFC Playoffs. Russell Wilson will finally take the reins of this offense, win NFL MVP honors and take the Seahawks back to the Super Bowl. Once there, they will avenge their heartbreaking loss in Super Bowl XLIX.

Mark Morales-Smith

Seattle Seahawks over New England Patriots: In a Super Bowl XLIX rematch between the Seahawks and the Pats, Seattle will pull this one out. They will re-establish themselves as the best defense in the NFL this season. Russell Wilson took that next step last season as an elite QB and not a game manager. Tom Brady will be a monster upon his return from suspension, but the Seahawks will be too much to overcome this season.

Maurice Moton

Green Bay Packers over New England Patriots: Everyone will pay attention to Aaron Rodgers’ rising numbers with a wideout Jordy Nelson back on the field. Keep an eye on a svelte Eddie Lacy, who will provide balance on the ground throughout the season. The Packers’ talented young secondary will frustrate and topple Tom Brady in Houston. Rodgers will run off the field in a Brett Favre-like manner with the Super Bowl MVP and his second ring.

Hunter Noll

New England Patriots over Arizona Cardinals: This Patriots’ team is too complete. Getting Brady back midseason will really give them a jolt.

Next: Coming Down the Stretch

Dec 13, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford (55) celebrates with linebacker Tamba Hali (91) after making a sack against the San Diego Chargers in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 10-3. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Dan Parzych

Houston Texans over Green Bay Packers: Houston has been waiting a long time for a reliable quarterback and Brock Osweiler has looked sharp running the offense. The Texans’ defense was the main reason behind this team winning the AFC South last year. Now with an improved offense, the sky is the limit for Bill O’Brien‘s squad in 2016.

Dan Salem

Seattle Seahawks over Kansas City Chiefs: This season is all about defense once again. Flashy offensive stats will fall short come playoff time, as consistency and mistake free football allows both the Chiefs and Seahawks to reach the big game. Ultimately it’s Seattle’s Super Bowl experience and Russell Wilson’s dynamic abilities that win out in an otherwise-defensive football game.

John Sarianides

New England Patriots over Green Bay Packers: Jimmy Garoppolo will lead the Patriots to a 3-1 record while Tom Brady serves his four-game suspension. Brady will take over in Week 5 and lead the Patriots to Super Bowl LI and a shootout win over Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.

Alan Schechter

Arizona Cardinals over New England Patriots: An angry Tom Brady leads his team back to the big game, but 2016 is the year of Bruce Arians and the Cardinals.

Dan Schmelzer

New England Patriots over Green Bay Packers: An angry Tom Brady combined with an underrated defense makes me love the Patriots’ chances this year. The NFC is much more wide open, but give me Aaron Rodgers getting back on track with Jordy Nelson returning from injury. Two Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks facing off in the Super Bowl would be a win for all fans of the league. With a better defense, I’d give the Patriots the edge.

Luke Sims

Pittsburgh Steelers over Carolina Panthers: The Carolina Panthers were good enough to get back to the Super Bowl behind Cam Newton and an impressive offense. The Pittsburgh Steelers had the final say, though. Behind a top offense, surprisingly stout defense, and driven forward by the will of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers managed to come out on top.

Next: Pretty Patriotic

Aug 26, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) celebrates after a touchdown with wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) during the first half of a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Peter Smith

New England Patriots over Green Bay Packers: The Patriots’ two-tight end offense with Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett combined with improvement on the defensive side of the ball and a weak AFC East should leave them able to lock up home-field advantage in the playoffs and ride it to the Super Bowl.

The Green Bay Packers were able to survive the divisional round of the playoffs without one of their biggest playmakers in Jordy Nelson. So just getting him back should allow Aaron Rodgers to get back into the MVP conversation. In turn, that should carry the Packers back to another shot at the title if they even play average defense.

Joe Soriano

New England Patriots over Arizona Cardinals: This is Tom Brady’s year to flip the bird at the NFL by upending the Cardinals in the Super Bowl, avenging a Week 1 loss to Chandler Jones and crew. Armed with the most dangerous twin-tight end set of his career, Brady will make use of a myriad of weapons in the passing game. The Patriots have more depth to withstand injuries to starting wide receivers and this multi-faceted offense will be impossible to stop when LeGarrette Blount kicks into high gear in the postseason.

Tyler Spinnenweber

Arizona Cardinals over Pittsburgh Steelers: The Cardinals are arguably the most complete team in the NFL. After losing to the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII, they get their revenge. "Larry Legend" scores the game-winning touchdown with under a minute left!

Chris Spooner

Carolina Panthers over Pittsburgh Steelers: I think the Panthers are the clear favorites in the NFC right now. Pittsburgh has a way of coming together down the stretch and making a playoff run. Carolina pulls it out in a close one.

Daniel Thomas

New England Patriots over Seattle Seahawks: Tom Brady wreaks havoc on the NFL after serving his four-game suspension. His angry and motivated play will carry over to the rest of the team. You will see Roger Goodell smile uncomfortably as he hands over the Lombardi Trophy to Robert Kraft.

Next: That's All Folks

Aug 26, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to pass the ball during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Luis Tirado Jr.

Arizona Cardinals over New England Patriots: The Cardinals were very close last season in going all the way to Super Bowl 50, but will go the distance this time around. Carson Palmer vs Tom Brady will be epic, but the Cardinals will win their first championship since the merger in the end.

Patricia Traina

Carolina Panthers over New England Patriots: The Panthers still have too many weapons left over from last year’s Super Bowl team. They’ll take their top-10 offense and defense and their lessons learned from last year’s Super Bowl shortcomings to top the Patriots in a close call.

Zac Wassink

New York Giants over Pittsburgh Steelers: Giants show that trading for Josh Gordon (a projected deal, not one written in stone) was the right move, as Gordon wins Super Bowl MVP after reeling in three touchdown passes.

Wanda Wiedman

Chicago Bears over New England Patriots: The Monsters of the Midway have returned to reclaim their place in history. Even with a makeshift offense, Cutler leads his offense with a balance of receivers and running backs, putting all naysayers on notice. It will be the 1985 Chicago Bears Redux!

Nick Ziegler

Carolina Panthers over New England Patriots: The return of Kelvin Benjamin will be a game-changer for the Carolina Panthers’ offense in 2016. Despite Tom Brady returning from his suspension to lead his team to the Super Bowl once again, the Panthers will be completing unfinished business. The Panthers will have a chip on their shoulder all season, and that will be key for their success. After a sour ending to the 2015 season, Cam Newton and company will be raising the Lombardi Trophy in 2016.