Former All-Pro LB Shawne Merriman Predicts Winner of Super Bowl LIX

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Jan 17, 2025 12:05 PM ET

Heading into the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, eight teams are still alive in their quest to reach Super Bowl LIX, which takes place Feb. 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Ahead of this weekend's games, former NFL star linebacker and three-time Pro Bowler Shawne Merriman shared his thoughts on who he believes will win it all this year during an appearance on FanDuel's " Up & Adams."

Merriman, who played eight seasons in the league — six with he Chargers, two with the Bills — focused on the highly anticipated showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills this weekend. After picking Buffalo to win the matchup, he emphasized that he believes this is the Bills' year.

"I think this is the year the Bills have a real shot to go all the way," he said. "I truly believe they've been there enough times now. I can speak from experience — when you're a team that's been close but hasn't quite made it all the way, you're seasoned enough to make that run. So, I think if they can get past the Ravens, which I believe they can, they have what it takes to go all the way this year."

3x Pro Bowler @shawnemerriman isn't just picking the #Bills to BEAT the Ravens on Sunday...

️: "I think this is the year that the BILLS got a shot to go ALL THE WAY." @heykayadams @BuffaloBills | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/igicpQssA0
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) January 17, 2025

While Bills quarterback Josh Allen is firmly in the MVP conversation, the biggest cloud lingering over him and his team is the fact that they've never reached the Super Bowl in Allen's seven seasons in the league.

The closest the Bills came was back in 2020 but they were ultimately eliminated by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game.

Buffalo made it to the Super Bowl four straight years from 1991 to 1994 with the legendary Jim Kelly at quarterback, but they lost each one.

This year may be the highest the franchise's expectations have been to finally accomplish that goal since the 90s.

However, to get there the Bills first have to get through the Ravens on Sunday evening, and then they potentially have to face the back-to-back Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs if they defeat the Houston Texans on Saturday.

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

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