Belmont students' 2023 NFL Predictions

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This Thursday features the first regular season football game of the NFL season between the Detroit Lions and the defending champions of Super Bowl LVII, the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite Belmont not having a football team, many students think they have a strong knowledge of the gridiron and made their own prediction of who will win Super Bowl LVIII under the bright lights of Allegiant Stadium.

Freshman Tanner Fowers, a die-hard Seattle Seahawks fan, cannot deny a division rivals' firepower.

“As a Seahawks fan, I hate to say it, but I think it will be the 49ers,” he said. “They have a system over there that I do not see many teams beating.” Despite going through three quarterbacks last season, the San Francisco 49ers went 13-4, ending last year's season with a loss in the NFC Championship.

With head coach Kyle Shanahan calling the shots, and a healthy roster, the 49ers have a shot of becoming Super Bowl champions.

But one team could ruin San Francisco’s chances of winning it all: the Philadelphia Eagles which ended the 49ers’ journey last season.

Freshman Ethan Nickerson, a loyal fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, simply stated that those birds were “Too good.” The Eagles boast a strong offensive front led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is surrounded with weapons such as AJ Brown, Devonta Smith and Dallas Goedert. The Chiefs were also mentioned as a favorite to repeat.

Freshman Amelia Perona claimed: “They are always good.”

Freshman Benton Drake, however, predicts a first-time Super Bowl winner saying, “I think the Browns are gonna do it.”

His reasoning, “I have a feeling.” The Browns offense boasts offensive weapons such as Nick Chubb and Amari Cooper. While the defense is anchored by Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward.

Other students were loyal to their hometown teams, despite them not being the popular pick.

Freshman Austin Vero fully supports his New York Giants, saying, “I don’t know much about football, but I hope the Giants can make it far.” The Giants traded for one of the league's best tight ends Darren Waller. The team also earned accolades last season when head coach Brian Daboll was named AP Coach of the Year. Whether they made the safe pick or went for the hail mary, students will have to wait till February to see if they’re right.

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This article was written by Reece Leddy