The Eagles Fan’s Guide to the 2007 NFL Playoffs

For the second time in three years, there will be no hometown rooting interests for Philadelphians now that the playoffs have begun. But many if not most Eagles fans are NFL fans too, and we’ll watch pretty much any decent game. The problem is, with the Birds hitting golf balls or putting their houses on the market, which teams and players do we root for? Or more accurately, who we rootin’ against?

The bitter question in front of us is, would we rather see the rich get richer, or another never-been franchise pass us by on their way to join the ranks of the NFL’s Nouveau Riche? Would it be harder to watch the Colts and Patriots win more rings while we have only pre-Super Bowl National Championships, or see yet another team hoist the Lombardi Trophy before us. Is there no third option?

Let’s start with the teams playing this weekend.

Washington at Seattle
Obviously we go with the Seahawks here. I’d be hard pressed to conjure a scenario in which I’d root for an NFC East team, and Seattle’s just boring enough to not really hate. There may be some sentimental bandwagon jumping surrounding this game, as montages of Sean Taylor are bound to be part of the national coverage (and rightfully so—Taylor was a huge part of this team, and his murder was amazingly tragic). Still, I hope the Skins lose, because I’m pissed they even made the playoffs.

Jacksonville at Pittsburgh
Boorrrrinnng. Don’tcha just hate how often we have to endure Steelers, Jets, Browns, and Ravens games in this market? We’ll take the Jags over our cross-state rivals, even though they’re bland as all get-out too. When it comes to sports, Philly natives have no PA pride. Eff the Stillers. They went to the Promised Land with a rookie QB at the helm, while we’ve waited a nearly decade for our system to gel. The Jags are this year’s upstart team in the AFC, and they could make some noise, starting with this game. Jacksonville fans beware: this Eagles fan will be putting his cursed support behind your squad.

Tennessee at San Diego
After playing under Buddy Ryan in Chicago, Jeff Fisher became one of his coaching assistants. When Buddy brought the 46 to Philly, he brought Fisher with him as his D-backs coach. Fisher went on to become the Eagles defensive coordinator and achieve his career highlight, meeting me and playing Frisbee with us at a barbeque at Gootman’s house. So because of the Eagles/backyard connection, I’m backing the Titans and their possible PSU QB. Also, the Chargers deserve to get smoked for firing their coach after going 14-2 last season. What happens to the guy who took them to 11-5? Waterboarding?

New York Giants at Tampa Bay
Hmm lemme think about it. Tom Coughlin, Eli Manning, and Jeremy Shockey, or our ’06 hero (Carmella DeCesare) and our former OC with his loveable Chuckie Face? As much pain as we’ve felt from the NFC Championship loss, the ominous start to the Linc Era, and the longest ever game-winning field goal, there’s no way we root for the Giants. The only consolation in a Giants win would be that they did it without Tiki Barber, my least favorite NFC East personality this side of Michael Irvin.

And the Bye-Weekers…

Green Bay
Yes, I flew out to Green Bay just to have the pleasure of seeing the Eagles dive into this season’s downward spiral firsthand. But I don’t hate the Packers, especially not compared to the NFC’s other team with a first week bye. The Favre story is so overdone that I barely notice the networks playing him up anymore, and Ryan Grant has quickly become the team’s most watchable player. The Pack is the NFC team I support the most, primarily because I hate most of the others so goddamn much.

Indianapolis
For many Patriots haters, the hardest thing about rooting against them is that it often means cheering for the Colts. Not me. Somewhere along the way, Dungy’s crew pulled me aboard. It started with Marvin Harrison, a Philly guy who is an elite receiver but comes with none of the regular baggage. Across the field, Reggie Wayne is cut from the same cloth, and he stepped up with Marvin missing much of the season. Peyton quieted the critics and Dungy handled unimaginable family tragedy when he finally won the big one last year, which has almost been forgotten since the Patriots began their tear. I’ll admit it. I actually like this team.

Dallas
I hope they lose their bye week. I hope they lose the turnover battle. I hope they lose their car keys. I hope they lose that swagger like this group has actually won anything. I hope they lose a game-winning field goal snap. Nothing would be worse than Dallas returning to the Super Bowl, except if they got there and beat…

New England
The psychological litmus test for NFL fans. Do you want to witness history so you can tell your kids and grandkids about it, or see the colossus toppled so you can point and laugh at its rubble (unless Dallas wins). Part of me wants to see another team win, but only because I’m an underdog guy. Despite the fact that the Eagles lost to the Pats in the Super Bowl, and again with me in attendance this year, and of course the dominance that is Boston sports in the modern era, I gotta admit, Belichick’s crew has made this NFL season far more interesting than it otherwise would have been. The Hoodie is easy to hate, but hard not to respect. Same with Brady. All he did was live all our dreams, becoming the best QB (maybe ever) and having a super model special lady friend. I have no advice on how to approach rooting for or against New England; this one’s just a visceral reaction.

So that’s my take. No love for any of the NFC teams, but I’ll root for Tampa Bay and Seattle in the Wild Card, with Green Bay as the team I’d like to see play in February. In the AFC we can’t really go wrong. I like the Titans because of Fisher, although they’re painful to watch, and I’d like to see Jacksonville be an upsetter, but there’s no show like the one New England and Indy can put on.

Who you rootin’ for?

Comments

[T]

Good read. After all that information though, I can't help but hope the Patriots win so that Gisele offers to make a sextape and that it somehow finds it way to the internet. A man must have his priorities.

[Lenny]

Packers vs. Pats in February. With it all on the line, Favre marches Green Bay down the field for the game-winning drive. He retires a champion, forever known as the ultimate David who took down Goliath.

Of course, I would love for New England to lose ASAP, but this scenario is just too tempting. ESPN Instant Classic.

And I not only hope Dallas loses, I hope they get slaughtered. Embarrassed. And Romo puts up horrific numbers. And then Jessica Simpson dumps his sorry ass only days later. Beautiful.

[ill]

I am having dificulty focusing on the New England paragraph.

[johndewar]

Well played, sir. Agree with all of it. No way am I rooting for an NFC East team under any scenario.

If I have to pick two teams to root for, it's Jacksonville (like the way they play and they have no annoying fan base unlike the Stillers, Pats, et. al) and Green Bay, because I won my fantasy league this year with Brett Favre as my QB.

On the other hand, the last time I won a fantasy league and rooted for my QB, Carson Palmer got his knee wrecked by Kimo Van Oehlenhoffen. So, Favre oughta watch himself.

[gootman]

Nice post, I tend to agree with you in all your rooting interests. I'm just hoping for good games, I can't take any more blowouts after all these Bowl games this year.

I miss my Buddy Ryan sideline Starter Eagles hat that my Mom ruined by washing, at least I still have the '89 and '90 signed team balls.

[ForTheShorties]

Living in DC, it's gotten hard not to root for the Skins and their recent run...but then I look at the Skins fans and I quickly begin rooting for the Pack in the NFC.

And was there any text in the Patriots section? I didn't see anything...

[joe l]

If the Pats make the Super Bowl, it's over, no one can beat them... they must be taken out somewhere in the AFC playoff picture.

[mike]

As long as the gaytriots, cowgirls, giants, and redskins lose i'll be happy.

[Ki]

GO SKINS!!!!!

[GentleWhoadie Apt One]

Ever think that the only difference between the Steelers and the Eagles is that Eagles fans have a terrible attitude and cannibalize their own team?

[Adam from SoJo]

I have to pull for the Jags in the AFC. Their defense has the potential to slow down (no one can actually stop) New England, and their ability to run the ball, especially for big gains, makes them an exciting team to watch. In the NFC, I am forced to forget the image of Ronde Barber's back, as he carried the ball into the Veteran's Stadium endzone, and look to two former Birds, my favorite Eagle of this decade, Jeremiah Trotter, and Jeff Garcia. How can you not love Trot? I just can't see another Boston area team win something, I'll admit it, I am jealous. Go Trot, and Go whoever is playing the Pats.

[johndewar]

@GentleWhoadie Apt One: Wow! Thanks for reminding of another reason I don't like Steeler fans....because they actually think they had something to do with the Steelers winning 5 Super Bowls (touched on this in my own blog today).

Hate to break it to you, but fans have nothing to do with a team's success/failure in athletics outside of providing their hard earned income to the owners of these teams to pocket or build their teams with.

[Kulp]

Rooting for the Patriots all the way. Prior to this season, I've hated the Patriots. I don't like dynasties (not even the Bulls, not even Jordan) and it became personal after '04, but I could see from the beginning that this team was special.

It became even easier for me to like them once everybody started throwing the team under the bus. The cheating scandal has nothing to do with this year's success, and I did not agree with the complaints about running up the score. Simply put, this team is better than any other and I am hoping to see perfection.

[mike]

how could you root for the patriots, they are pure evil just like the cowgirls. don't forget that bob kraft has the referee's on his payroll. i've never seen someone cheat as much as they do besides the cowgirls of the 90's.

[HA]

this is great..any other eagles fans want some cheese with their whine......

should i call the wahhhhhbulance?

[Kulp]

What makes the Patriots pure evil? We're talking about a football team, not Hitler.

Let's be real. Spygate has nothing to do with this season, and the refs have called the games accurately. I'm rooting for them because they are the best team I've ever seen until someone proves otherwise.

[themajor]

kinda agree with Matt P on the teams to root for. I would like to see green bay win it and then Favre retire, would also enjoy seeing the pats lose in the divisional round. also steelers fan to continue to remind me why when I get drunk at PSU I wanna kick every steelers fans ass. Big Bens playing golf by monday.

[mike]

they're evil if you live in boston and have to put up with these douche bag patriots "fans". and no, the refs have not called the games accurately, you sound like a douche bag bandwagon jumping patriots fan.

[Steve]

As long as the scumbag Stillers lose, I will be happy. I hate the Steelers with a passion. To be honest with you, I never really had an opinion about them until I started school at Penn State. Not only are about a 1/3 of the Eagle games blocked out because of them, their fans are the WORST. Philadelphia fans get a bad name, but the scumbag Steeler fans take the cake. It is so great to see those stupid towels covered in mud and strewn across the Penn State campus whenever they lose. That being said, I hope Dallas never wins a game again and their stupid hillbilly coach just vanishes! Oh well, go birds!

[Walklett]

I really hope Dallas loses their car keys, every single player on the team.

As for a team, it's totally the Jags. I gotta disagree that they're bland. I developed a bit of a man crush on Jones-Drew and the defense is pretty beastly. Also, Dennis Northcutt is my sleeper player of the post season.

[TheCoz]

There is only one team I can root for in the entire playoffs...the Green Bay Packers. They aren't in the NFC East, have a passionate fan-base (unlike some other teams, notably the Patriots) and their leader, Brett Favre, has already won a Super Bowl so there are no Philly jealousy issues. I can't stand any other team.

[Kulp]

Mike, sounds like you're taking this whole football thing a bit too personal. I am obviously an Eagles fan all the way, but I can appreciate something great when I see it. And yes, for the last time, the games were called correctly. I remember some seemingly questionable calls against the Pats when they played the Colts. You want to explain that with some more lame conspiracy theories?

It's funny that you could be so blinded by hatred for a sports club that you would come up with such a far fetched idea when all the video evidence points to the contrary. Get yourself a copy of the rules or go spit your venom at some actual Patriots fans.