(Image Source: ESPN ) BY JOHN O’CONNOR Writer and statistician Nate Silver — widely known for his crazy accurate prediction of the 2012 presidential election — is now taking his math skills for a more “hard-hitting” matter... Super Bowl XLVII (47). The creator the New York Times’ FiveThirtyEight blog appeared on ESPN’s First Take to announce his prediction that the New England Patriots will play the Seattle Seahawks in New Orleans for the NFL Championship.  Silver says he used statistical data from the website “Football Outsiders” to make his picks, explaining the site brings “objective analysis to football.” But according to CBS Sports , “… just because he got his Super Bowl pick using stats from Football Outsiders, doesn't mean he agrees with their pick. Football Outsiders gives the Broncos and 49ers the best statistical chance to make the Super Bowl.”  The Huffington Post says Silver’s New England pick isn’t likely to raise any eyebrows, but choosing the NFC’s 5th seed Seattle may draw some criticism. “ … why Seattle over the Atlanta Falcons or San Francisco 49ers?” They are the No. 1 and 2 seeds in the NFC respectively.    A writer for NBC Sports admits Silver’s prediction is a little out there, but there’s no way he’s going to make a bet against the guy after his presidential election prediction. “Nerds predicting sports? Madness! But will I bet against him? What, and end up like poor Karl Rove? No thanks.”  Super Bowl XLVII (47) is scheduled to be played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on February 3rd.