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 t's
Super Bowl weekend, so we asked a few of our football-watching contributors
and friends to throw out predictions on the big game.
Jonathan
Adler
Assistant professor, Case Western Reserve University School of
Law
The game is rarely as good as the advertisements, and the White
House drug czar's ad won't change that. St. Louis Rams roll over
the New England Patriots, 41-17. (Bonus NHL All-Star Game Prediction:
Even without Eric Lindros the North American All-Stars beat the
World, 9-6.)
Roger Clegg
NRO Contributing Editor
Well, I'm an Aries, so I have to go with the Rams. And I'm boring,
so make it 27 to 10.
R. Joseph DeSutter
Expatriate St. Louisan professor at National Defense University
Rams will beat the gaudy point spread of 14. Martz is an offensive
genius; Beliichik is a defensive genius. Normally defense would
prevail. But (a) the Rams have far more talent; (b) the Rams themselves
had the (routinely overlooked) best defense in the NFC; and (c)
the score (24-17) of the Rams' midseason victory over the Patriots
— when Warner had a badly injured throwing thumb — grossly
understates their domination of that game.
James
S. Robbins
NRO Contributing Editor & a former Boston resident
I don't know that much about the game but I hope New England wins
so I can torment my friend Joe DeSutter.
Tim Graham
White House correspondent, World magazine
This pre-game frenzy reminds me of the Cold War: Once again, the
Patriots are getting no respect. Last weekend, all the bookies were
giving the Steelers 10 points. They gave the Rams 13 points. Cocky
gamblers took a bath. Of course the Rams are impressive — not
just the offense, but uber-corner Aeneas Williams, whose interceptions
helped foil my Packers. But a little tough Patriot defense and some
more favorable instant replays might keep it close. If I weren't
saving my nickels for our household entitlement spending —
Outback Steakhouse cheesy fries — I'd bet on the Pats to beat
the spread. Rams 31, Patriots 21.
Michael Ledeen
NRO Contributing Editor
St. Louis wins with 31; Oakland 20. Since Oakland really beat New
England, I'm focusing on the real Super Bowl, not this horrible
nightmare.
Chris McEvoy
NRO Managing Editor
The best bet, as it is every year, is that after three-hours of
mindless pre-show chatter, four baskets of buffalo wings, and a
case of Bud, the game will droop like a wet noodle. But America
knows this, and that's why we pad the day with fat, alcohol, gambling,
and stupid predictions. Here's one for the hopper: Rams 31, Patriots
10. Drew Bledsoe enters in the late second quarter and puts the
Pats on the board for the first time. Marshall Faulk: two TDs, game
MVP.
John J. Miller
NR National Political Reporter
My head says Rams, my heart says Patriots. Maybe the refs will help.
Who could cheer against a team calling itself the Patriots right
now, except maybe John Walker Lindh? Only people in St. Louis have
an excuse — and they brought home a Super Bowl two years ago.
Time to spread the wealth. Lots of Patriots fans are also Red Sox
fans. They deserve to win once in a while. Patriots 27, Rams 24
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