Keyboard Quarterbacks

By Mark La Monica

Let's review.

In 2006, it was Chiefs vs. Cowboys. In 2005, it was Jets vs. Redskins. In both seasons, I wasn't even close to coming close to predicting the Super Bowl teams.

There's a reason for that. I loathe chalk. Anyone with a keyboard and five minutes of free time can predict the Patriots, Colts, Saints or Bears to reach Super Bowl XLII in Arizona this February.

Anyone with a keyboard and eight minutes of free time can predict the Chargers to reach Super Bowl XLII in Arizona this February.

Here in the Keyboard Quarterbacks home office, we praise bold and brash predictions. So here we go with a bold and brash prediction for Super Bowl XLII:

Willis McGahee, Steve McNair and an always-nasty defense will carry the 12-4 Ravens to the AFC North division title and first-round bye in the playoffs. The Ravens will go into New England and beat the Patriots in the AFC Championship.

An old Brett Favre surrounded by his fountain of youth (Packers are one of the two youngest teams in the NFL) combined with Rex Grossman as quarterback of the Chicago Bears will propel the 11-5 Packers to the NFC North crown and a first-round bye in the playoffs. With home-field advantage in the NFC Championship, Favre will throw three touchdown passes and carry his team to another Super Bowl appearance.

And on that final weekend of the NFL season: Packers 23, Ravens 17.

These are bold, brash and crazy Super Bowl predictions. Will it happen? Likely not. But if it does, meet me in Arizona during Super Bowl week. I'll be the guy signing printed copies of this piece.