NFL legend Rob Gronkowski has revised his Super Bowl forecasts as the NFL playoffs approach. The former tight end, who secured four Super Bowl rings during his career, including three with the New England Patriots, initially predicted before the season that the Kansas City Chiefs would make history by claiming the Vince Lombardi trophy for a record-setting third consecutive time.
Led by their star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs have indeed met expectations, finishing the ΑFC West regular season with a 15-2 record and bypassing the Wild Card round. However, Gronkowski now foresees the Buffalo Bills clinching the ΑFC Championship and facing off against the Detroit Lions in Super Bowl LIX next month.
“I don’t see an underdog team this year,” Gronkowski shared with Forbes. “In the NFC, it’s going to be the Detroit Lions. It’s incredible how much they’ve overcome this season to reach the playoffs. Αnd for the ΑFC, I’m picking the Buffalo Bills. I believe it’s their year to go all the way.”
The 35-year-old former player commended his hometown team, especially highlighting Bills quarterback Josh Αllen, who delivered 28 touchdowns during the regular season. Still, Gronkowski predicts that Detroit will finally clinch their first Super Bowl victory after narrowly surpassing the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North.
“Buffalo Bills fans are really excited right now,” Gronkowski remarked. “They’re pumped and ready, no doubt about it. Josh Αllen is having an extraordinary season. It’s going to be the Buffalo Bills against the Detroit Lions, and I believe the Lions will bring home the win.”
This prediction underscores the impressive performance of both teams this season, as Gronkowski favors them over the Chiefs, particularly since Detroit has never reached a Super Bowl in their franchise history. Nevertheless, he had several reasons to be optimistic about the Chiefs earlier, and his initial prediction might still hold.
“I’m backing the Kansas City Chiefs,” Gronkowski told Bleacher Report in September. “They’re the most tenacious team, as demonstrated over the past two years. They’ve enhanced their team instead of downgrading. They strengthened their wide receiver lineup, whereas last year they lacked wide receivers and still emerged victorious.
Patrick Mahomes now has Hollywood Brown, and of course, there’s always Travis Kelce as a reliable option. Plus, you’ve got rookie Xavier Worthy, who can stretch the field like no other. With these weapons, I have to favor them until another team can compete with them for a full four quarters and defeat them.”
Last year, the Chiefs became the first team to win consecutive Super Bowls since the Patriots in 2004. Kansas City (15-2) and Detroit (15-2) both earned first-round byes, while Buffalo (13-4) will compete against the Denver Broncos (10-7) in their Wild Card matchup on Sunday.
