A part of me would like to see the Eagles win, for the sake of my friend and Philly native Jon Adler. But whenever someone says “Tom Brady,” I hear “Hail to the Victors” play in my head. (Do you think I should have this condition checked out?) So I’m mostly pulling for a game that remains interesting in the 4th quarter. I’m irresistably drawn to high-stakes competition, even when I don’t have a personal stake in it–and being a fan of the Detroit Lions is basically the definition of not having a personal stake in the Superbowl.

Oh, you were probably looking for a prediction. Like Tim, I enjoy going against convention. I was one of the only people in the world to pick the Pats three years ago. But I just don’t think the Eagles will do it. New England has won 31 of its last 33, it compiled a better record against a tougher schedule, and all indications are that this year’s squad is better than last year’s championship team. I’m also sobered by this factoid, which I read in the WSJ yesterday:

Finally, a history lesson. There have been 16 Super Bowls pitting a team that had won the big game at least once in the previous five seasons against a team that had not. The teams with a Super Bowl title under their belts were — sorry, Eagles fans — 15-2. Teams, such as this year’s Patriots, with more than one title in the previous five years are 4-0 against all opponents, which is why Mr. Belichick may be the most important Patriot of all.

My pick: Patriots 31, Eagles 14.