Locals pick the Super Bowl

Houma native Chris Williams didn’t watch any of the NFL Playoffs two weekends ago. He was too scorned by the heartbreaking finish of the Saints and Vikings game in the Divisional Round.

“I was sick, man,” Williams said. “I couldn’t watch it. I couldn’t bring myself to watch other teams play in the game we should have been in.”

But Williams is in a couple Super Bowl pools, so he said he will watch the big game this weekend between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles.

His pick? This one is almost too close to call.

The Times spoke to several football fans this weekend, asking each to break down this weekend’s big game among NFL titans.

Of 13 people asked, nine picked the Patriots, four picked the Eagles and everyone involved said the margin of victory would be close – inside of 10 points.

“I pick New England 28-27. My pool numbers are 8 and 7, so that’s why I give you that pick,” Williams said with a laugh. “But seriously, I think it’s going to be a great game. I think these are the two best teams and they have been for most of the season. It hurts to say that as a Saints fan, but look, Philly beat the team that beat us in a blowout. Give them their props. This is going to be a fun game.”

Most locals favor New England because of Tom Brady.

Raceland man Richard Willis said he “can’t stand” New England, but said he gives Brady and coach Bill Belichick props because they always find their way into the big game.

Willis said he’s a fan of the New York Giants, so he’s followed Philadelphia throughout the season, as the two are divisional rivals.

Willis pointed to the Eagles’ late-season game with the Giants as proof that New England will exploit Philadelphia’s secondary.

In that game, the Giants scored 29 points and Eli Manning threw for more than 400 yards.

The Giants are one of the worst teams in the league.

“If we did that to them, Tom Brady will, too,” Willis said. “I think those boys are going to give him some time to throw and he’s going to find guys down the field.”

Willis’ pick is in favor of New England, 27-20.

Houma woman Rebecca Folse agrees with the idea that Brady’s arm is going to power New England to a win.

Folse said she’s been an NFL fan her whole life – a fan of the New Orleans Saints and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Saints, of course, because they’re the hometown team. The Jags are her rooting interest because of former LSU star Leonard Fournette.

Folse said she watched the Patriots play both her teams this season – the Pats faced the Saints in Week 2 and Jacksonville to get to the Super Bowl.

In both of those games, she had one major takeaway: Brady is as good as anyone she’s ever seen.

“He is incredible,” she said. “He does so many things well. You can’t hit him. He positions himself and makes sure he throws it to someone who is open.”

But there are a few people locally who believe that Brady’s glass slipper is going to splatter in Minnesota on Sunday.

Galliano man Mark Smith said he thinks New England has been skating on thin ice all season, and his reasoning is actually sound statistically.

He said the Patriots have not beaten elite teams this season and that they’ll meet their match in the Super Bowl.

New England’s division was relatively weak with just one other team above .500 in it.

In the playoffs, the Patriots beat Marcus Mariota and Blake Bortles – two of the weaker starting quarterbacks in the entire AFC.

“I think Philadelphia is going to use their extra time to get themselves ready and I think they’re going to put up a lot of points,” Smith said. “The Vikings have a great defense and the Eagles roasted them. I think Nick Foles is going to have a big day passing.”

Others think the Eagles will win, but because of their defense.

Gray native Jason Romero said he thinks the Eagles’ defensive line is the best in football. He said he watched the game with the Vikings and was amazed at how easily they pressured Minnesota quarterback Case Keenum.

Romero said Tom Brady is immobile and that the Eagles are going to sack him. He said former Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins will draw the assignment of Rob Gronkowski and he will do an admirable job.

“I don’t think New England is going to be able to score many points,” Romero said. “I think Philadelphia is playing too well on defense right now. They locked up the Falcons, crushed the Vikings and will do the same to New England. I think the Eagles win 20-13.”

And, of course, a few fans brought up special teams.

Two people asked said the game will come down to a last-second kick.

One of those favored New England. The other said the Eagles would win.

Both teams have elite kickers.

“New England wins on a 43-yard field goal on the last snap,” Houma native Bob Reiss said. “I think it ends 31-28.”

“I like Philly 20-17 on a field goal,” Houma native Alan Verret added in disagreement. “I think this has a chance to be one of the best Super Bowl games in a long, long time.”

Tom Brady

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