Eli Manning. Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

Eli Manning predicts winner of Super Bowl LIX

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Jan 18, 2025 11:46 AM ET

With wild-card weekend in the books, the stage is set for some highly anticipated matchups in the divisional round, as all four top seeds advanced in the AFC, and three out of four made it through in the NFC.

Following the first round, former New York Giants star quarterback Eli Manning’s Super Bowl prediction remains intact, with just eight teams left vying for a trip to New Orleans on Feb. 9.

In an interview with “The Today Show,” Manning revealed that he has the Buffalo Bills, who just defeated the Denver Broncos, 31-7, and the Detroit Lions, who had a first-round bye, facing off in the Super Bowl. He predicts that the Lions will emerge victorious, winning the first Super Bowl in franchise history.

"My Super Bowl prediction is the Buffalo Bills and the Detroit Lions, with Detroit winning. You heard it here first," Manning said.

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Manning certainly knows what it takes to win a Super Bowl, as he capped off the 2007 and 2011 NFL seasons with championship victories, both coming in dramatic fashion over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. His brother, Peyton, also won two Super Bowls during his illustrious career.

However, the Lions and Bills are two franchises that have never experienced the joy of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, which would make Manning’s prediction historic if it were to come true.

Detroit won four NFL championships before the 1960s, but the Super Bowl era began in 1967, and the Lions are currently the only team in the NFC to never appear in the big game.

Buffalo, led by the legendary Jim Kelly, made it to four consecutive Super Bowls in the 1990s but lost every time. Nonetheless, for either of these teams to reach New Orleans this year, they’ll have to start that journey this week when the Lions host the Washington Commanders on Saturday night, and the Buffalo Bills face the Baltimore Ravens in what is expected to be a thrilling showdown in Orchard Park on Sunday evening.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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