"They're the team to beat" - In-demand HC Sean Payton names his favorite to win Super Bowl LVII

Sean Payton has been an NFL head coach for 15 seasons and knows a thing or two about appearing in the Super Bowl.

He led the Saints to Super Bowl XLIV and beat the Indianapolis Colts.

As the regular season nears an end with Week 17 concluding on Monday night, many teams have clinched a playoff spot with some early favorites.

On "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," Payton gave his Super Bowl prediction. He thinks the San Francisco 49ers will win the Super Bowl and also complimented the Kansas City Chiefs on their roster.

"They tie so much together," Payton said. "And, you know, there's terms, complimentary football, but we're seeing it in San Francisco, and even when Kansas City's going with the weapons they have.

"There's still something that they can attack versus the cover twos of the world, the cover fours of the world, the six, the light boxes and the heavy-coverage looks and especially when we get down the stretch, and we're here where I said this yesterday, I feel like, you know, occasionally go somewhere nice.

"I think San Francisco is the team to beat in this tournament, in the whole tournament. The whole thing.

"And I do because – look, they had a moment defensively yesterday, though; they'll bounce back off of that – but if you use the analytics of defense, scoring, run game, and you factored in some of these things, and I think look, (wide receiver) Deebo (Samuel) has been kind of quiet. And I just feel like they're a team that's won – what? – nine in a row now.

"You know, we're gonna see a good game tonight. That's really going to tell us a little bit more about the AFC."

Sean Payton is expected to return to coaching in the NFL next season

Former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton

Sean Payton coached the New Orleans Saints from 2006 to 2021. He took a break from coaching following the 2021 season, leaving with a record of 161–97.

The Miami Dolphins were in contact with Payton months later regarding their head coaching position replacing Brian Flores. They were then penalized for tampering, but the specualtion of Payton wanting to return to coaching was true.

The Saints are expecting to receive at least a first-round pick for the rights of Payton if he chooses to return to the league for a different team. Payton signed an extension with the team in 2019, so the Saints still hold his rights through 2024.

Payton was the AP Coach of the Year in 2006, his first season with the Saints. Payton led the team to its deepest playoff run at the time, reaching the NFC Championship Game. The year before, with the Saints displaced from the Superdome and having to play in San Antonio and LSU's Tiger Stadium in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, they finished 3-13.

If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Sean Payton, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, and H/T Sportskeeda.