NFL Super Bowl Predictions

Story posted January 13, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by CommRadio Sports Staff

A near-tie between the Chargers and Raiders in the season finale, the only scenario in which the Pittsburgh Steelers would’ve been eliminated from playoff contention, perfectly summed up the insanity of the 2021 NFL season. Highlighted by newly established records, maddening upsets, COVID-ravaged rosters and even a mid-game resignation, this year was one for the books.

After a season where we came to expect the unexpected, this postseason should be no different.
Let’s take a look at early Super Bowl predictions ahead of Wild Card weekend.

Grant Sheets

NFC Champion - Green Bay Packers

Nearly every January, after a year’s worth of offensive explosion and divisional dominance, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are dubbed as the team to beat in the NFC. Nearly every January, they also tend to collapse in unimaginable fashion.

However, Matt LaFleur’s Packers have made steady progress in each of his first two playoff campaigns. Earning a first-round bye without All-Pros David Bakhtiari and Jaire Alexander for a majority of the season, who are now both back on the active roster, goes to show just how lethal this squad can be. Not to mention, Rodgers is in the midst of one of his most efficient seasons ever.

Barring yet another unforeseen collapse, all signs point to Green Bay getting over the postseason hump en route to an appearance on the greatest stage in professional sports.

AFC Champion - Cincinnati Bengals

Just a year ago, head coach Zac Taylor’s tenure in Cincinnati appeared to be nearing an end.
His Bengals amassed just six total wins in his first two seasons and showed little signs of progression on either side of the ball.

Fast forward to 2022, and the 10-7 Bengals are looking like a force to be reckoned with. Behind an offensive juggernaut led by Comeback Player of the Year-candidate Joe Burrow, Cincinnati took home the AFC North title for the first time since 2015.

With decisive wins against the Chiefs, Steelers and Raiders, Taylor’s Bengals have proven that they can take on the top dogs. While this is a young, inexperienced group, they are as dangerous as it gets in the playoff picture.

Super Bowl Prediction - Packers 29, Bengals 26

Christian Smith

NFC Champion - Green Bay Packers

In the NFC, no team has been more dominant than the Green Bay Packers, and thanks to Aaron Rodgers' stellar, MVP caliber season, the Packers will finally get back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2010.

As for Aaron Rodgers, he will depart Green Bay with his second Super Bowl win and Super Bowl MVP.

AFC Champion - Kansas City Chiefs

When the Chiefs were sitting at 3-4, many didn't see them winning 12 games, or even 10 for that matter, but they did, thanks to the strong play of Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes enjoyed another big regular season, and he and his team are currently the hottest team in the league, as they have won nine of 10 games.

The Chiefs will get their redemption of the Titans, who beat them 27-7 back in October, in the AFC Championship Game - and Kansas City will be in its third straight Super Bowl.

Super Bowl Prediction - Packers 27, Chiefs 24

Daniel Mader

NFC Champion - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay hasn’t had quite the season they wanted after last year’s Super Bowl run, as they have dealt with injuries and off the field drama (looking at you, Antonio Brown) throughout the season.

However, this didn’t stop them from coasting into the second seed in the NFC, behind Green Bay, where they unfortunately don’t have a first round bye with the new playoff format. Even without Brown and Chris Godwin in the receiving corps, this is still a Buccaneers team that has one of the leagues’ best run defenses and a high-powered offense led by Tom Brady.

There is never a reason to doubt Brady or the team around him, and Tampa Bay will handle the Eagles, along with likely the Cowboys and Packers, on their way to their second consecutive Super Bowl.

AFC Champion - Tennessee Titans

The Titans seem to be one of the most slept-on number one seeds in recent memory. While they did play in a weaker AFC South, they boasted a run-heavy offense with Derrick Henry (who will likely return for the playoffs from his injury), and a defense that may have a few holes, but is strong against the run.

Mike Vrabel is one of the better coaches in the NFL, and Tennessee will have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs thanks to their status as the first seed in the AFC. The key will likely be Ryan Tannehill finding connections with both AJ Brown and Julio Jones in their Super Bowl quest, as defenses will expect to see a lot of Henry.

It definitely won’t be easy, but the Titans are capable of taking down the rest of the AFC’s elite squads if Henry comes back at full health, along with if Tannehill steps up when they need him.

Super Bowl Prediction - Buccaneers 21, Titans 13

Joe Tuman

NFC Champion - Green Bay Packers

For the second straight season, the Packers were able to secure home field advantage throughout
the playoffs, once again finishing with 13 wins.

It did not come easy however, as Green Bay saw plenty of key contributors miss time throughout the season. But, with Aaron Rodgers playing great football once again, and with an already improved defense set to get back two difference makers in Jaire Alexander and Za’Darius Smith, the Packers should finally be able to get back to the Super Bowl this year.

AFC Champion - Tennessee Titans

While the Packers faced plenty of adversity this season, it was nothing compared to what the
Titans went through. Tennessee set an NFL record with 91 different players suiting up amidst all the COVID chaos this season, but nonetheless finished atop the AFC.

Head coach Mike Vrabel deserves to be the NFL’s Coach of the Year, and with superstar running back Derrick Henry poised for a playoff return from injury, Tennessee has a good shot to continue defying the odds.

Super Bowl Prediction - Packers 27, Titans 20


Grant Sheets is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email him at gcs5231@psu.edu.

Christian Smith is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email cfs5591@psu.edu.

Daniel Mader is a second-year majoring in digital/print journalism. To contact him, email dbm5725@psu.edu.

About the Contributors

Daniel Mader's photo

Daniel Mader

Junior / Digital/Print Journalism

Daniel Mader is a third-year student at Penn State from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, majoring in digital/print journalism with a minor in sports studies. He is a writer and broadcaster for the CommRadio sports department, working on content related to PSU sports, the NBA, NFL and MLB. If you’d like to contact him, email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Grant Sheets's photo

Grant Sheets

Freshman /

Grant Sheets is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism with aspirations to become a professional sports analyst and broadcaster. He is a production team member, news anchor, sports writer, podcaster and play-by-play announcer for CommRadio. He is also an analyst on Penn State Sports Night, a student-run media platform that produces weekly shows. Currently, he works as a voiceover artist for seven sports channels on YouTube. To contact him, email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Joe Tuman 's photo

Joe Tuman

First Year /

Joe Tuman is a first-year student from Warminster, Pennsylvania who is majoring in broadcast journalism.  Thus far, Joe has contributed at CommRadio by writing articles, hosting podcasts, and beat writing for Penn State Women’s Soccer and Women’s Basketball.  Joe is also a big football and basketball fan and aims to pursue a career analyzing or writing about those sports.  You can contact Joe at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)