Steve Mariucci. © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Former NFL HC Steve Mariucci gives his Super Bowl prediction

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Jan 13, 2025 4:21 PM ET

As the first round of the NFL postseason winds down, analysts, former players, and coaches have begun to share their predictions for the playoffs and the upcoming Super Bowl, set to take place in New Orleans on Feb. 9.

This weekend, former San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions head coach, and current NFL Network analyst, Steve Mariucci, shared his Super Bowl pick alongside the rest of the panel.

Mariucci, who coached for nine seasons in the NFL and posted a 72-67 record over his career, found the most success during his time with the 49ers. But this year, he confidently predicted that the Detroit Lions — whom he coached from 2003-05 — will be crowned Super Bowl champions.

“The Lions are pretty darn good, the Ravens are playing pretty darn good ... in the Super Bowl," Mariucci said, predicting the Lions will outlast Baltimore to take home the title.

Updated Super Bowl predictions from the @NFLGameDay crew before the playoffs get going today pic.twitter.com/g5ffYbLKlB
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 11, 2025

While the Detroit Lions franchise has won four championships prior to the Super Bowl era, they remain the only NFC team to never appear in the Super Bowl since its inception in 1967.

This year, however, the Lions, led by head coach Dan Campbell, have been nothing short of spectacular. Entering the postseason with a 15-2 record, they play the Washington Commanders at home on Saturday after securing a first-round bye. They captured the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the first time in franchise history and won the NFC North for the second consecutive season — another franchise first.

Detroit made it to the NFC Championship last season but was defeated by the San Francisco 49ers. Now, they’re determined to rewrite that chapter and accomplish something never before done in their history.

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

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