Super Bowl predictions never pan out

By Josh Griffin

Every year, the week leading up to the Super Bowl is correlated with two events in my life. The first, of course, is the bold and daring prediction of the champion through rational analysis. The second, and less flattering, are the flashbacks to all of the horrifying picks I have made in years past.

I am currently on a three-year losing streak thanks to the Titans, Giants and Rams. In fact, the only pick I remember getting right in the last 12 years was Super Bowl XXXIII, known more for John Elway's swan song than my gambling prowess.

I did think that the Bills would win every Super Bowl that they played in. I thought the odds of the Broncos upsetting the Packers in Super Bowl XXXII were similar to the odds of Frosty surviving a balmy day in Hell.

Here we are in 2003, about to witness the marquee matchup of Super Bowl XXXVII between the team that Jon Gruden coaches and the team that Jon Gruden built. The Bucs defense has the ingredients that the Dolphins demonstrated are necessary to stop Grandfather Gannon and the Retirement Home Raiders. Speed rushers on the edge, linebackers who can cover and blitz and an aggressive defensive backfield should be all that it takes for the Buccaneers to pull off the upset.

Brad Johnson is an upper-middle class Rich Gannon and should be able to use his precision passing to score three touchdowns against the Raider defense. The Bucs are on fire as a team, having annihilated Philadelphia in a game that started at below 40 degrees, en route to the Super Bowl.

All forces point to the Buccaneers to win their first Super Bowl in their first appearance.

Who am I kidding?

The Griff's Prediction: Oakland Raiders 31, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17