The Casual Fan's Guide to NFL Rooting
How to pick a football team to cheer for, whether you love the underdog or want a proven winner.
For football fans, yesterday was undoubtedly the best Monday of the year. Monday Night Football returned, and even the Dolphins are only a game out of first place. But as hope is reborn for all the fantasy-playing, jersey-wearing diehards, millions of their friends need a little extra motivation to waste away their Sunday afternoons, Monday nights, and occasional Thursdays rooting for men in the right colors to give concussions to men in the wrong colors.
I’ve always believed that the only acceptable forms of fandom involve rooting for your hometown team (or whatever is closest) or one with significance to your family. But I’ve realized that doesn’t always work, particularly for newbie sports fans who live far from where they grew up. Taking on the colors of your adopted city is one option, but that doesn’t work for 20-somethings who may relocate several times before settling down. No, if you’re going to buy a hat, you’ve got to do it for the right reasons.
With that in mind, here’s a guide to picking a football team to root for based on whatever factor you prioritize. Pick a path, learn the players, and spend the rest of the season rooting your heart out with the rest of us.
If You Love the Underdog: Cleveland Browns
Other options: Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals
If You Want to Hop on the Bandwagon Early:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Other options: Lions, Houston Texans, St. Louis Rams
If You Want to Be Part of the Ultimate Fan Base: Pittsburgh Steelers
Other options: Browns, Green Bay Packers, my hometown Oakland Raiders
If You Just Want a Winner: New England Patriots
Expert predictions for this year’s Super Bowl winner tilt heavily toward the San Diego Chargers, but I don’t buy it. The Patriots are proven winners who are looking for redemption after early playoff exits the last two years. And with Peyton Manning possibly out for the season, the Pats’ Tom Brady is easily the best quarterback in the league. I can’t promise they’ll win you a championship t-shirt in your first season of rooting, but they’ve got as good a shot as anyone.
Other options: Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles
One rule: Declaring yourself a fan of last year's Super Bowl champ is never acceptable, so no new Green Bay fans this year. You can buy your Cheesehead after the Packers are upset in the divisional playoffs next January.