Picks To Consider for “The Big Game”
Brought to you by TMJ ‘s Pro Football Staff
Alright, we know your pain.
The Denver Broncos fell short by three in the grueling AFC Championship duel at snowy Empower Field against a familiar rival, the New England Patriots. Yes, it is a game the Broncs let slip away, and discussing this debacle of a finish just chills the spine. The blame game has already entered Act 10, Scene 25, with Bronco Master Coach Sean Payton being accused of committing the worst decision of his adult life; or back-up quarterback Jarrett Stidham, yes, playing like a backup; and of course, brutal weather conditions invading our region that would have tested the best alpine skiers in the world. Local eateries, casinos and sports bars were left engulfed with floods of tears, as the Broncs may not get a chance like this one for a while.
But fret not. The future appears bright for the Denver Broncos. And Super Bowl 60, the most coveted sports event of the world, is right around the corner in sunny California, only with a slightly different lineup than what we would have preferred. Such is Pro Football.
Cheer up, and when the going gets rough, then just abide by the betting advice of our always right clan of pseudo-Monday morning arm-car quarterbacks, who will tell you how the big game will pan out and the specific scores. These community leaders are hedging their reputations on these picks. These are better odds than you may get listening to the likes of Tom Brady, Adam Schefter, Jay Glazer and more, or exploring Vegas odds. Believe us, our local experts are the way to go, when partaking in the intricacies Super Bowl 60.
Maybe, next week, we will let you know which one of our local experts fared the best, with their pick. In any case, enjoy Sunday’s Super Bowl, and remember it’s just a game. No pressure, if you get it wrong, we will just ship you to Greenland for therapy.
Dan Williams, Teller County Commissioner
“The Seattle Seahawks by a touchdown… They have been strong all season and have momentum.”
Seahawks 21, Patriots 14
Kellie Case, Woodland Park Mayor
“I’m going with the Seahawks. It’s a shot in the dark, but I have never been a Patriots supporter and because New England beat the Broncos in the championship game.”
Seahawks 24, Patriots 17
Jessica Nichols, Owner Jess’ Place Pool Hall
“I think the Seahawks will win because the Patriots are going to deflate the ball. They are cheaters!”
Seahawks 54, Patriots 0
Dennis Zerull, Host of “This Week in the Bear Cave” Podcast
“Besides Denver keeping Sean Peyton on permanent vacation and hiring (former Buffalo Bills head coach) Sean McDermott, I think Seattle will win over New England. Hiring high school referees to officiate the game would also be a big improvement.”
Seahawks 31, Patriots 24
Brad Page, Head Coach Woodland Park High School Football Team
“New England will be stout on defense but will sputter out on offense. Seattle has more of an explosive offense and a really great defense. Weather shouldn’t be as much of a factor, and the QBs may be under a lot of pressure throughout the game.”
Seahawks 24, Patriots 19
Mike Perini, Owner of Perini & Associates PR and Marketing Firm
“As a long time, Seahawk fan clearly, the Hawks have the winning advantage. No snow for the Patriots to take advantage of this time around.”
Seahawks 24, Patriots 17
Trevor Phipps, Sports Reporter/TMJ Bail Bondsman
“Just like everyone else, I think the easy pick here would be to choose the Seahawks. The hawks have battled hard all season, and I think it’s fair to say that they are the best all-around team in the league. But everyone seems to forget that the Patriots had the same record at the end of the season. You could argue that the Pats had an easier schedule than the Sea-Chickens, which led to their success. However, I feel the Patriots showed during the playoffs that they can hang against tough teams. I feel like the Patriots would have beaten the Broncos by a larger margin had the weather not dished out brutal blizzard conditions. Therefore, I think the Patriots will get the upset and pick up the win in the end. Plus, I have always liked the idea of rebelling against the crowd.”
Patriots 37, Seahawks 34
Lynn Phipps, Town Mom
“I like the Seahawks because I like where they live! And I am mad at the Patriots for beating the Broncos!”
Seahawks 23, Patriots 17
Charlie Chambers, Ute Pass Historical Society President and Co-Host of the “Teller Time” Podcast
“The Seahawks top-ranked defense and solid offense make them strong favorites. But quarterback performance and defensive pressure will ultimately decide the game. I’m going with a close Seahawks victory!”
Seahawks 27, Patriots 24
Tanner Coy, Owner of Tweeds Fine Furnishings
“Patriots over the Seahawks! The Patriots’ defense has been excellent all postseason. And on offense, they have who I believe is this year’s MVP, Drake Maye.”
Patriots 27, Seahawks 24
Michelle Rozell, Cripple Creek Heritage Tourism Director
“Well… bummed the Broncos lost and I really don’t like either team going to the Super Bowl, however, I predict the Seahawks will take it. The Patriots barely took the Broncos with a second-string quarterback. The Seahawks and Patriots have the same record, but the hawks might take them. I did not anticipate either of scores from the games this weekend, so it is a challenge to predict a final score for the SB. How hungry are they?”
Renee Bunting, Teller County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant
“I think it will be close, but that Seattle will win!”
Seahawks 31, Patriots 24
Stephanie Kees, Teller County Clerk and Recorder
“I’m not an odds/stats type of person. I picked New England because they won over the Broncos. And how amazing would it be to be ‘23’ years old and hold a Super Bowl ring. What an accomplishment!”
Patriots 23, Seahawks 10
Jason Nichols, Co-Owner of Jess’ Place Pool Hall
“The Seahawks will win unless it snows (or they have to play in any kind of inclement weather). The good weather team is the Seahawks.”
Seahawks 35, Patriots 14
Chris Deisler, Woodland Park Police Chief
“Let’s call the Seahawks as time expires. Why? Because NE can’t win seven titles before the Steelers do. *smirk*”
Seahawks 17, Patriots 14
George Jones, Woodland Park City Council Member and 2026 Woodland Park Mayoral Candidate
“Seattle in a rout! While New England has a beefy D Line, it will be Seattle’s dynamic offense that wins the day. The Seattle D will stymie NE’s offense and Super Bowl fans will yawn as they search for an unwatched ‘Chopped’ episode.”
Seahawks 34, Patriots 10
Seth Bryant, Woodland Park City Council Member
“Patriots have a great defense and an offense that can put points on the board, but I think the Seahawks have the edge offensively and will win Super Bowl LV. I don’t expect them to be able to rack up as many points against New England as they did with Los Angeles.”
Seahawks 24, Patriots 21
Ralph Ostlund, Local Contractor, Former Olympic Skier (Until a fated trip with TMJ’s Editor)
“Seahawks in a rout. It won’t even be close, and they will load up the board with plenty of points.”
Seahawks 38, Patriots 10
Rick Langenberg, TMJ Editor
“The better team is Seattle, but going with the Pats, as they are the more favorable Cinderella team, and always enjoy the underdogs. Sound familiar Bronco fans, as this is what we faced all year with so-called NFL Insiders and experts treating us with no respect, and getting it wrong and never admitting they are idiots. Wait until next year, when mighty Bo returns. Plus, hate the Seahawks for what they did to the Broncos in the 2014 Super Bowl.”
Patriots 27, Seahawks 21
Bruce Brown, Cripple Creek Mayor Pro Tem
“The Seahawks are the better team. The Denver Broncos were actually a better team than the Patriots, we just had trouble with the weather and there was just too much pressure on Jarrett Stidham. It was a bad day for Denver.”
Seahawks 27, Patriots 21
Jared Bowman, Cripple Creek Councilman
“The Seahawks by more than seven points. We were a better team than New England, and should have won that game. (Coach Sean (Payton) made a lot of bad calls. There were a lot of mistakes, actually, and the weather did not help. Glad I didn’t go to the game. But the future looks good for the Broncos. Maybe next year.”
