NFL Expert Predictions 2016: Picks For Patriots vs. Broncos, Panthers vs. Cardinals

julian edelman patriots 2016 — Experts have picked wide receiver Julian Edelman and the New England Patriots to beat Denver and face the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. Getty Images

NFL experts from around the country believe the two squads that came the closest to perfect regular-season records will square off in Feb. 7’s Super Bowl 50 from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. According to early estimates from NFLPickWatch.com, 76 percent of experts have selected the New England Patriots to beat the Denver Broncos, and 64 percent tab the Carolina Panthers to silence the Arizona Cardinals.

That would set up a Super Bowl XXXVIII rematch from 2004, when the Patriots defeated the Panthers, 32-29, claiming their second overall title and second in three seasons.

The expert picks, with a small sample size of 20 experts below, are also following the betting public much like they did during last week’s AFC and NFC Divisional Rounds. The Patriots are three-point road favorites over host Denver, and the Panthers are expected to beat Arizona by at least three points as well.

And the predictions certainly follow the media’s thinking and coverage throughout the regular season. Both New England and Carolina were viewed as the two favorites to win this year’s championship after they raced out to perfect 11-0 and 14-0 starts, respectively, and dominated their conferences.

The Panthers and presumed MVP quarterback Cam Newton own the NFL’s highest scoring offense with 31.3 points per game, and they only strengthened their case for Super Bowl glory by overthrowing two-time defending NFC champion Seattle in the divisional round.

Defending champion New England and Brady, despite injuries up and down its offensive and defensive lines as well as in the backfield, turned back Kansas City for their fifth consecutive trip to the AFC title game. Though they will have to contend with Denver’s top ranked defense and an unpredictable Peyton Manning.

The Broncos and Manning seek their second appearance in the Super Bowl in three years, and hope to erase their harrowing blow-out loss to Seattle in the title game two years ago.

Arizona, which clinched its first playoff victory in five years by upending the Green Bay Packers in overtime, appear in the NFC title game for the first time since 2008’s run to Super Bowl XLIII when it fell to Pittsburgh.

Here is a list of predictions from notable NFL experts and IB Times sports staff reporters.

John Breech, CBS Sports

Picks: Patriots, Panthers

Will Brinson, CBS Sports

Picks: Patriots, Panthers

Jamey Eisenberg, CBS Sports

Picks: Patriots, Panthers

Jason La Canfora, CBS Sports

Picks: Patriots, Cardinals

Eric Allen, ESPN

Picks: Patriots, Panthers

Adam Caplan, ESPN