theScore's Super Bowl LI predictions

With the start of the 2016 season mere days away, theScore's NFL staff has assembled to predict the lone team that will remain standing as the confetti falls at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5.

AFC Championship Game

NFC Championship Game

Super Bowl LI

Justin Boone: Steelers 24, Seahawks 23

The Steelers nearly eliminated the eventual Super Bowl champion Broncos in the divisional round last season, despite being without Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell. With their stars healthy, Pittsburgh will earn a narrow victory over the Seahawks in a rematch of Super Bowl XL.

Jack Browne: Steelers 31, Cardinals 27

Eight years after the Steelers and Cardinals faced off in Super Bowl XLIII, the two will meet once again with the Lombardi Trophy on the line. The two offenses may be the best in the league, but Ben Roethlisberger's spectacular play will push the Steelers past the Cardinals once again, despite the latter boasting the better defensive talent.

Michael McClymont: Cardinals 30, Chiefs 13

The Cardinals survive the minefield that is the NFC playoffs and, with the deepest lineup in the league, advance to the Super Bowl in Houston where the fast track at NRG Stadium plays to their strengths. The Chiefs take advantage of a wide open AFC to reach the big game, but can't keep up with the Cardinals' weaponry.

Mitch Sanderson: Patriots 27, Packers 25

Tom Brady will be as fired up as ever to stick it to the NFL this season following his suspension and there's no better way to do so than becoming the first quarterback to win five Super Bowls. The re-addition of Jordy Nelson and a slimmed-down Eddie Lacy will help Aaron Rodgers and the Packers redeem their 2015 season, but it won't be enough to outdo Bill Belichick's game plan on Super Bowl Sunday.

Arun Srinivasan: Cardinals 38, Steelers 31

The Cardinals acquired the elite pass rusher they were missing in Chandler Jones, and return stronger than ever after last year's NFC Championship Game loss. The Cardinals' high-octane offense will slip past a vaunted row of outstanding NFC defenses and will edge the Steelers in what promises to be an absolute shootout.

Joe Thomson: Patriots 24, Seahawks 21

In a replay of Super Bowl XLIX the Patriots will triumph over the Seahawks once again. The Patriots are going to be extremely motivated once Tom Brady returns and are likely to punish the league for the perceived injustices they've suffered.

Dan Wilkins: Patriots 27, Cardinals 23

New England weathers the storm for the first month of the season before Brady returns and goes on an absolute tear. Another win on the big stage sees him break the tie with Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw for most Super Bowl rings by a quarterback, further solidifying his case as the all-time greatest on the heels of a suspension that should have never happened. This one would be the sweetest yet.

David P. Woods: Cardinals 24, Steelers 21

The Cardinals corrected their only weakness with the addition of pass-rushers Chandler Jones and Robert Nkemdiche. The NFL's most complete team from top to bottom will claim home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, giving it the edge its need to knock off the Seahawks. The Steelers will topple an aging Patriots squad showing signs that the end of its era is near, but won't stand a chance against Bruce Arians on a mission. Arians won't let his former team - the one that tried to force him into retirement rather than admitting it fired him - beat him on the biggest stage.