How ESPN’s ‘NFL Live’ Picked Patriots-Broncos After Texans Debacle

Most of ESPN’s “NFL Live” personalities didn’t dare to go against the New England Patriots again.

The panel went viral after unanimously picking the Houston Texans to defeat the Patriots in last weekend’s AFC Divisional Round matchup. That realization shocked the five ESPN personalities, who all appeared to think they were making a contrarian pick.

The Patriots and Cardi B mocked them after New England’s 28-16 win, and some players cited perceived disrespect after advancing to the AFC Championship Game. They can’t draw any more motivation from “NFL Live” this Sunday.

Most of the ESPN crew changed its tune on Friday, as four of the five panelists predicted a Patriots win. The lone holdover, host Laura Rutledge, was the only one not on last week’s show to pick the second-round clash.

Rutledge suggested she intentionally backed the Broncos to avoid risking more public humiliation if everyone got it wrong again.

“I’m a little nervous for all of us here because something happened last week when you all got dunked on,” Rutledge said when introducing the game picks. “But look at this. Somebody here saved the day for you. Y’all can thank me later.

“… Listen, I don’t like to see the team get dunked on like that, so I picked the Broncos. I realize Jarrett Stidham hasn’t played in forever, and maybe I did this for the Patriots. I don’t know.”

Mina Kimes picked a 24-20 Patriots victory days after calling it “an honor and a privilege” to get trolled by Cardi B. However, she wouldn’t rule out a Broncos upset.

“There’s a path,” Kimes said. “It’s not impossible.”