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Super Bowl LIII predictions: Rams have midseason momentum

With the 2018 ¹ú²úÍâÁ÷Íøseason at its midpoint, our analysts revisit/revise their preseason award winners, playoff predictions and picks.

Participating analysts: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Who will win Super Bowl LIII?

1. Los Angeles Rams (11 votes)

: Rams over Patriots. The offseason acquisition binge pays off, as the league's most dominant and balanced team becomes the second upstart in a row to topple the Patriots.

: Rams over Chiefs. Sean McVay and Andy Reid trying to out-scheme each other on the game's biggest stage? That would be a sight to see. No matter what happens in their , I bet McVay spends hundreds of hours in the playbook prepping for a possible rematch.

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

: Rams over Chargers.Todd Gurley becomes the first running back to win MVP honors since Terrell Davis did it for the Broncos in XXXII.

: Rams over Patriots. The Rams entered the season with a ton of hype -- then they went out and backed it all up. They top it off by handing Bill Belichick the most lopsided playoff defeat of his career.

: Rams over Patriots. It's hard to imagine the Patriots could be an underdog in this game, but I don't think they will be able to keep pace with Sean McVay's squad.

: Rams over Chargers. With balanced offenses and defenses that have the personnel to do some serious damage, these two squads are built for the postseason. Goff and Gurley vs. Rivers and Gordon -- I give the edge to the league MVP (Gurley) and his squad. It's going to be so good!

: Rams over Chargers. An all-Los Angeles in Atlanta ... They should just consider heading up to the Rose Bowl instead if this matchup comes to pass. In all seriousness, I think this would surprisingly be a defensive game -- much different from their , which the Rams won 35-23.

: Rams over Chargers. Before the season, I said the Rams would win an all-L.A. classic. Even with the genius of Patrick Mahomes' Chiefs and the always-stout Patriots, I'll stay with it. Todd Gurley and Aaron Donald lead the Rams to victory.

: Rams over Patriots. While an all-L.A. sounds appetizing, the Patriots rise again (perhaps for the final time), upending the Chiefs on the way to a meeting with the unstoppable Rams. Sean McVay completes his meteoric ascension by securing the title the Dodgers couldn't bring home.

: Rams over Chiefs. The league and CBS get precisely what they desire: a game in which the last team with the ball wins.

2. New Orleans Saints (6 votes)

: Saints over Patriots. With no legitimate competition in the AFC East and an earlier win vs. Kansas City, the Patriots are looking at another scenario in which the road to the goes through Foxborough. The Saints have been electric on offense, and so have the Rams, but New Orleans has a more experienced quarterback in Drew Brees. Getting a win vs. the Rams this week will be pivotal for the Saints in gaining home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.

: Saints over Chiefs. The Saints snapped out of an early season funk and again look like the powerhouse . To say that the Chiefs have not let me down would be an understatement.

: Saints over Patriots. Sticking with . The Saints and Rams are the most balanced teams in the league, but New Orleans has the advantage of a veteran quarterback -- as well as two productive running backs for the postseason.

: Saints over Chargers. This was , and I'm not ready to hedge off it just yet. This is shaping up to be the perfect season for Drew Brees, and collecting another win.

: Saints over Chiefs. After New Orleans upsets the high-flying Rams, Sean Payton and Drew Brees cement their legacy in a points-waterfall win over K.C. Brees retires days later. Payton takes the Browns job.

: Saints over Chiefs.Drew Brees comes out on top and rides off into the sunset as a two-time champion. Patrick Mahomes will have another shot at the title down the line.

3. New England Patriots (2 votes)

: Patriots over Vikings. Against my better judgement, I'm sticking with . Neither club has totally flopped, so why shouldn't I? (Though Kirk Cousins' affinity for coming up short in big games is starting to worry me.)

: Patriots over Rams. Los Angeles enters LIII undefeated, but with two weeks to prepare, Bill Belichick is able to hold the Rams under 30 points. New England has too many weapons for L.A. and wins in a shootout.

T-4. Green Bay Packers (1 vote)

: Packers over Chargers. The Packers might not look like a contender right now, but Aaron Rodgers will get the crew going. When he does, Titletown gets another Lombardi. Go, Pack, go!

T-4. Kansas City Chiefs (1 vote)

: Chiefs over Saints. What a year for Patrick Mahomes. He backs up with a ring after out-dueling the league's all-time passing leader.