Celebrities from the sports world and beyond give their picks for Super Bowl XLVIII between the Broncos and Seahawks.
DAN LAURIA
Actor (“Wonder Years,” “Lombardi”), native New Yorker
“I have always been a Giants fan and could never root against Coach Fox from his time here. Plus, Peyton, as Coach Lombardi used to say, comes from good stock. Broncos 31-20.
PETER SCOLARI
Actor (Yogi Berra in “Bronx Bombers”)
“I’m an AFC guy having grown up with Joe Willie and the Jets and still bleed a little Gang Green. I like Coach Carroll and his style and maybe since he was head coach for the Jets, it will have some extra mojo. Seahawks 31-24.
DILLON GEE
Mets pitcher
“I admire Peyton Manning’s preparation work and the way he goes about his business.” Broncos, 31-28
TERRY COLLINS
Mets manager
“Broncos 21-16. Just a guess. There is no rhyme or reason.”
JAMES BLAKE
Former tennis pro, now heading James Blake Foundation
“I love the Seahawks and their new-age style, Russell Wilson is a rising star and Pete Carroll has created a great culture. They are my choice 31-21.”
JASON TERRY
Nets guard, Seattle native
Seattle, 28-24. “The difference is our defense getting a key stop. In the fourth quarter, we’re going to hold them to zero points.”
SANDY ALDERSON
Mets GM
“Broncos 20-17: Manning.”
STEVE PHILLIPS
Former Mets GM, SiriusXM radio host
“Broncos 27-24. Peyton Manning, I think he’ll be the difference. [Matt] Prater is obviously a very good kicker as well for the Broncos. But I think the good passing game for Denver will beat the good secondary for Seattle enough to be able to win the game.”
ETHAN ZOHN
Original “Survivor” winner, founder of grassrootssoccer.com
“Seattle is the first team to run the ball more than 500 times in a season and make the Super Bowl since the 2006 Chicago Bears … and who beat [those] Bears in the Super Bowl? Peyton Manning, that’s who. Different teams, yes, but same result.”
CHRISSY TEIGEN
IMG model, Seattle native
“I’m pulling for Seattle. I was raised there and actually even had my prom at Seahawks Stadium. Plus I just ordered a Richard Sherman Fathead.”
BARBARA FIALHO
IMG model
“I think Denver will win 21-14 because Peyton is such a great quarterback, and I think he’s adorable. Denver is also such a cool city.”
GENEVIEVE MORTON
IMG model
I wish I could be cheering for the Giants on Sunday, but given the options: I’ll take Eli’s brother and root for the Broncos.”
KATHERINE WEBB
IMG model
“Broncos 28-24. It will be a great game to watch as both teams are extremely talented! However, from learning football this year, I feel like Peyton Manning is going to be hard to beat with him getting this close to another Super Bowl win.”
BRIAN McCANN
Yankees catcher
“21-17 Broncos. The weather is going to keep the game low-scoring, and Peyton Manning is one of my favorite professional athletes.”
ALLAN HOUSTON
Knicks assistant GM and former All-Star guard
“Denver 24, Seattle 17. Two words. Peyton Manning. He went to Tennessee like I did and I want those family outings with Eli to be where they each can talk about their two Super Bowls. I love Seattle’s QB but it’s Peyton Manning.”
IMAN SHUMPERT
Knicks guard
“Broncos 42, Seahawks 38. It’s the Super Bowl — they’ll be tight early, then there’ll be no defense.”
JOSEPH GANNASCOLI
Actor (Vito Spatafore in “The Sopranos”)
“If I had to make a play, it would be Seattle. Their defense is for real. We all know it’s for real. Peyton isn’t as mobile as Colin Kaepernick. I don’t think it will be more than three or four points, but I like Seattle.”
CHRIS WEIDMAN
UFC middleweight champion
“35-24 Broncos. I guarantee it. I just think the Broncos are going to pick them apart. They have too many weapons on offense, Peyton Manning obviously being No. 1. It’s an offensive game. The offense knows where the ball is going. If you have good guys and a guy who can get the ball there, advantage goes to them. They have an awesome offensive line and they can run the ball, too. Too much.”
BILL ROMANOWSKI
Former NFL linebacker
“Right now, I like the Denver Broncos, of course because of Peyton Manning. I like their matchups at receiver. They have four really good receivers. The challenge is: Can Seattle match up against all four of those and can they somehow, some way get some rush with four into Peyton Manning’s face?”
DARRYL STRAWBERRY
Former Mets and Yankees outfielder
“I think it’s the year of Peyton Manning when you look at last year and he fell short to the Ravens, and you see the kind of year he came back and had this year. He looks like he’s very determined, very focused. He’s been there before, he has a great deal of experience of all the hype coming to a Super Bowl. You’re talking about a lot of players coming for the first time. That’s a big factor how well you control the game. I think he’s going to control the game to his tempo, and do what he does best. I don’t know what the score will be, because I know Seattle has a great defense. But I know Peyton is one of the greatest quarterbacks to live and I think he’s going to do a great job.”
DERON WILLIAMS
Nets guard and Steelers fan
“Broncos 28, Seahawks 24. I don’t think it’s going to be a low-scoring game, but I don’t think it’s going to be a shootout. … Those are two high-powered offenses, especially Denver.”
JOE JOHNSON
Nets guard and Cowboys fan
Broncos 35, Seahawks 14
“I don’t think it’s going to be as close as everybody says. I think [Denver] spreads the ball out so well, and their running backs aren’t that bad. I think those guys have had a great year. So has Seattle, but I think offense is going to beat defense.”
JOE GIRARDI
Yankees manager
“20-17 Seattle, because defense wins games.”
BILL DAWES
Actor and standup comic; played both Paul Hornung and Mickey Mantle on Broadway
“I love edgy, so I have to go with Seattle 35-27. The Pacific Northwest just has more color these days.”
PLAXICO BURRESS
Former Jets, Giants receiver
“I think they match up pretty well. I’m pulling for Seattle. I think they have a good team, good defense, man, great running back. 28-25 Seattle.”
MARK MESSIER
Former Ranger, NHL Hall of Famer
“I’m going to go with my contemporary Peyton Manning. I’m going to say 28-17, Denver. It’s just a hunch. I just like the way they played this year, they had an incredible season. Their experience level is there, obviously, but I wouldn’t count Seattle out. What a dynamic, athletic team, unbelievable defense and of course their young quarterback [Russell] Wilson is a great athlete.”
CLAUDIO REYNA
Technical director, New York City Football Club
“Denver 27, Seattle 23. Low-scoring due to weather conditions. … Manning to win in brother’s home stadium. A late Peyton Manning drive to win it.”