America, a Team You Hate Will Be Playing in the Super Bowl

An Associated Press football expert predicts the NFL's Conference Championship round.

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 13: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots punches the air before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 13: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots punches the air before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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America’s team is the Dallas Cowboys, but America’s least favorite team is the Patriots.

Unfortunately for the country – outside of New England – the Pats will be headed to the Super Bowl on February 3 in Atlanta.

At least that’s the opinion of Associated Press football writer Barry Wilner who likes the Patriots and the New Orleans Saints to advance in the NFL’s Conference Championship round.

The Chiefs are at home, they have a dynamic quarterback in Patrick Mahomes with talented weapons like Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Sammy Watkins and they have all the motivation in the world. 

However, the Patriots have experience on their side and they looked like a completely new team last year during last weekend’s dismantling of the San Diego Chargers in Foxborough.

Due to those factors, Wilner likes the Patriots by four points at 27-23.

“It matters that Chiefs coach Andy Reid rarely outsmarts the Patriots,” Wilner writes. “Indeed, Reid’s only Super Bowl trip was spoiled by New England when it beat Reid’s Eagles for the 2004 title. Reid is 2-6 vs. the Patriots, and lost 43-40 on Oct. 14 at Gillette Stadium. The Chiefs are 3-point favorites, which accounts for the home-field edge. Except in the upcoming arctic conditions, and with the pedigree of the Patriots, this is a matchup Kansas City won’t win.”

In the NFC Conference Championship, Wilner likes the Saints to roll at home over the New Orleans Saints 34-26.

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