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Super Bowl LIII predictions: Analysts split on Rams, Saints

With the 2018 ¹ú²úÍâÁ÷Íøseason just around the corner, our analysts predict which teams will compete for -- and capture -- the Lombardi Trophy in February.

Who will win Super Bowl LIII?

T-1. Los Angeles Rams (5 votes)

: Rams over Steelers. The Steelers get over the hump and represent the AFC in the , but a more complete Rams team is too much for Pittsburgh to keep up with.

: Rams over Patriots. The NFC is absolutely loaded, with about six teams looking like true contenders. It's the Rams, though, who edge out the competition, and Sean McVay proceeds to out-scheme Bill Belichick for his first Lombardi.

: Rams over Jaguars. My mind will probably change tomorrow, but for now, I'm taking the Rams. Both teams have major talent on defense, but the Rams have the edge on offense. That's the decider.

: Rams over Texans. What a battle this would be. The presence of some fresh faces in the is just what the football world needs.

: Rams over Chargers.Todd Gurley runs for 159 yards and two touchdowns, Aaron Donald sacks Philip Rivers three times and the Rams win the all-Los Angeles .

T-1. New Orleans Saints (5 votes)

: Saints over Patriots. Defense will be the difference in this clash of potent offenses. The Saints' D has improved greatly from where it was just a few years ago, and it will continue to get better in 2018, making it possible for New Orleans to outlast the Patriots.

: Saints over Chiefs. Not the most likely matchup predicted by my model, but these two teams have the upside to get to Atlanta. Drew Brees finally gets his first league MVP honor AND breaks the MVP-winner-isn't-also-an-SB-winner curse, all in one season.

: Saints over Patriots.Drew Brees and a balanced offense move the ball and control the clock against a Patriots team that survives both Blake Bortles and a (hopefully) consistent Chargers team in the postseason.

: Saints over Jaguars. The best defense in the ¹ú²úÍâÁ÷Íøcan't keep Drew Brees down all game. The future Hall of Famer gets loose in the second half and Michael Thomas beats Jalen Ramsey on a quick slant for a 17-yard game-winning touchdown to give the Saints their second victory under Brees.

: Saints over Chargers. Finally, the Drew Brees vs. Philip Rivers we've clamored to see for quite some time. Still, why did the Chargers let him walk out the door? (Or, better yet, why didn't they draft Larry Fitzgerald instead of Eli Manning in 2004?)

3. Atlanta Falcons (3 votes)

: Falcons over Patriots. After coming back from 26 points down in the NFC title game at Lambeau Field, the Falcons return home to extract vengeance for the events of LI in front of .

: Falcons over Steelers. After nipping the Saints in a controversy-tinged NFC title game, Matt Ryan and the Falcons forge a 20-point halftime lead and hang on to topple 's Steelers. This will feel eerily similar to Denver slaying XLVIII ghosts by throttling the Panthers two seasons later. The 28-3 jokes will, at last, be shipped into deep space.

: Falcons over Chargers. The Falcons make the history Minnesota couldn't last season, becoming the first team to play in a in their home stadium, while Matt Ryan avenges his LI loss (and proves he, not Aaron Rodgers, should have been MVP). Atlanta parties .

T-4. Jacksonville Jaguars (2 votes)

: Jaguars over Rams. So many big personalities head to Atlanta for a star-studded LIII, with three of the biggest trash-talkers (Jalen Ramsey, Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters) in the league making splash plays throughout. In a close one, Duval brings it home.

: Jaguars over Eagles. A daunting Jaguars defense shuts down Doug Pederson and his versatile offensive attack, while Blake Bortles does just enough.

T-4. Minnesota Vikings (2 votes)

: Vikings over Patriots. The Vikings' defense does what the "Purple People Eaters" could not do, leading Minnesota to its first win. The Pats' secondary does not have an answer for Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen.

: Vikings over Texans. The Kirk Cousins investment pays immediate dividends in a surprisingly high-scoring for two defense-heavy teams.

T-6. Green Bay Packers (1 vote)

: Packers over Patriots. It comes down to this: Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Graham vs. Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. You know I'm taking Rodgers all day.

T-6. New England Patriots (1 vote)

: Patriots over Vikings. The more things change, the more they stay the same. New England ekes out its sixth title over Minnesota's league-leading defense by controlling the clock with a thousand-papercuts attack. Kirk Cousins tosses a pair of picks. Rex Burkhead claims MVP.

T-6. Philadelphia Eagles (1 vote)

: Eagles over Jaguars. This time, it's Carson Wentz holding up the MVP trophy, as the Eagles become the first team since the Patriots in the early 2000s to win back-to-back titles. And you thought Philadelphia celebrated last year ...

T-6. Pittsburgh Steelers (1 vote)

: Steelers over Falcons. The Falcons become the first team to play at home in the , but Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell know how to handle Atlanta's fast defense, and they outgun Matt Ryan and Co.