The author of the bombshell ESPN story that led many to believe the sky is falling in New England has made his pick for the Super Bowl, and he must feel that his piece is serving as a great source of motivation for the Patriots.
ESPN released its expert Super Bowl picks on Thursday, and 41 of 57 writers, editors, analysts, columnists and pundits are picking the Patriots to beat the Eagles. Most are expecting a close game, but guess who is anticipating the biggest blowout? Seth Wickersham of Outside the Lines, who picked New England to cruise to a 38-9 win.
Wickersham, who wrote a lengthy piece about a supposed power struggle between Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and Robert Kraft, is not the only ESPN expert who expects the Patriots to win by a wide margin. Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley is calling for a 34-7 New England win, and Patriots beat writer Mike Reiss has the Pats winning 30-17.
With his headline, Wickersham wondered out loud last month if this could be “the beginning of the end” for the Patriots dynasty as we know it. He has since backtracked from one of the most surprising takeaways from the feature, but his score prediction for the Super Bowl is still a bit shocking. Perhaps Wickersham is anticipating that the greatest dynasty in pro sports will end on a very high note.
