A Reason to Root For (and Against) Every Team in the 2023-2024 NFL Postseason.

[EnglishArtsteacher]

The 2023-2024 NFL Postseason begins today, January 13th, 2024. There are 14 teams in the postseason these days.

Below, I'm going to list a hypothetical reason why the general NFL fanbase should be rooting for(and against) each of the NFL Teams. I'll also post my predictions, and list the last time each city the teams are based on has won a professional sports championship.

Obviously, fans of these teams will root for these teams no matter what, and haters of each team will root against them no matter what. Again, when I use the word "We", I'm talking about the general fanbases when talking about rooting for, and against each team.

Cleveland Browns

Why we should root for the Browns: Because they're the Browns. Since they've been back in the league(1999-2000), has any other NFL Team faced more heartbreak than the Browns? Maybe the Falcons? Lions? My Bengals? I don't know. They're just known as the lovable losers in the NFL.

Why we should root against the Browns: Because they have Deshaun Watson on their team, and it's absolutely disgusting to know he could win a Super Bowl ring.

My Prediction:The Browns lose to the Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round.

Last time a Cleveland, Ohio based team won a championship: June 19th, 2016(Cleveland Cavaliers won the 2016 NBA Finals).

Houston Texans

Why we should root for the Texans: Because they're one of five NFL Teams who have never won any form of an NFL Championship.

Why we should root against the Texans: Because they're still the newest NFL Franchise(began in 2002-2003), and there are much older franchises(like the Falcons, and Bengals) who have never won a championship either. Put your time in, Texans.

My prediction: The Browns beat the Texans in the AFC Wild Card Round.

Last time a Houston, Texas based pro team won a championship: November 5th, 2022(The Houston Astros won the 2022 MLB World Series).

Kansas City Chiefs

Why we should root for the Chiefs: Because if the Chiefs win their third Super Bowl in a five year span, they are irreftuably NFL's next dynasty, and dynasties make sports fun.

Why we should root against the Chiefs: Because they just won last season, and except for fans of the team, nobody wants to see a team repeat as champions(I'm really, really trying to avoid mentioning another famous person's name here).

My Prediction: The Chiefs lose to the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game.

The last time a Kansas City based pro team won a championship: February 12th, 2023(The Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII).

Miami Dolphins

Why we should root for the Dolphins: Because they haven't won a Super Bowl in 50 years, and they have likeable players on their team.

Why we should root against the Dolphins: Because Tyreek Hill has already won a Super Bowl. I really can't think of a widespread reason to hate them.

My Prediction: The Dolphins lose to the Chiefs in the AFC Wild Card Round.

The last time a Miami, Florida based pro team won a championship: June 20th, 2013(The Miami Heat won the 2013 NBA Finals).

Buffalo Bills

Why we should root for the Bills: Because they lost four consecutive Super Bowls in the 1990s, and it would be nice for them to avenge those losses.

Why we should root against the Bills: Because the Josh Allen nuthugging in the media is annoying. He's a great Quarterback, but we're sick of hearing the media praise him.

My prediction: The Bills lose to the Chiefs win the AFC Divisional Round.

The last time a Buffalo, New York based pro team won a championship: December 26th, 1965(The Buffalo Bills won the 1965 AFL Championship).

Pittsburgh Steelers

Why we should root for the Steelers: So T.J. Watt can get his well-deserved Super Bowl win.

Why we should root against the Steelers: The Steelers are my most hated football team, so excuse the bias, but the Steelers already have the most Super Bowl wins(tied with the Patriots), so do we really want to see them win another one?

My prediction: The Steelers will lose to the Bills in the AFC Wild Card Round.

The last time a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania based pro team won a championship: June 11th, 2017(The Pittsburgh Penguins won the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals).

Dallas Cowboys

Why we should root for the Cowboys: So Dak Prescott can finally get his well-deserved Super Bowl win.

Why we should root against the Cowboys: Take your pick: Jerry Jones, the "America's Team" label, their obnoxious fans, their bandwagon fans, "Dem Boys", and the fact they're...the Dallas Cowboys.

My Prediction: The 49ers will beat the Cowboys in the NFC Championship.

The last time a Dallas, Texas based pro team won a championship: June 12th, 2011(The Dallas Mavericks won the 2011 NBA Finals).

Green Bay Packers

Why we should root for the Packers: To see the youngest team in the NFL win the Super Bowl. How cool would that be?

Why we should root against the Packers: Because they have the most total NFL Championships in the NFL out of every team(13). That's enough.

My prediction: The Cowboys beat them in the AFC Wild Card Round.

The last time a Green Bay, Wisconsin based pro team won a championship: February 6th, 2011(The Green Bay Packers won Super Bowl XLV).

Detroit Lions

Why we should root for the Lions: Because it's been nearly 70 years since they've won a championship, and similar to the Browns, Falcons, and Bengals, they have a long history of heartache.

Why we should root against the Lions: Because their Head Coach Dan Campbell is known to be an asshole.

My Prediction: The Cowboys beat the Lions in the NFC Divisional Round.

The last time a Detroit, Michigan based pro team won a championship: October 5th, 2008(The Detroit Shock won the 2008 WNBA Finals).

Los Angeles Rams

Why we should root for the Rams: Because it would be nice to see Aaron Donald win another ring to his legacy.

Why we should root against the Rams: Because they just won the Super Bowl two years ago, and they don't have many fans anyway(I'm totally not saying this because I'm a bitter Bengals fan either).

My Prediction: The Lions beat the Rams in the NFC Wild Card Round.

The last time a Los Angeles, California based team won a championship: November 5th, 2022(The LAFC won the 2022 MLS Cup).

Philadelphia Eagles

Why we should root for the Eagles: So poor Jalen Hurts can get a ring, after playing his ass off in last year's Super Bowl.

Why we should root against the Eagles: Aside from the fact they just won six years ago, they have arguably the most vile fans out of every NFL Team.

My Prediction: The Buccaneers beat the Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Round(yep, I truly mean that too).

The last time a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based pro team won a championship: February 4th, 2018(The Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl LII).

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Why we should root for the Buccaneers: Because they'd be the ultimate surprise team to win the Super Bowl. A 9-8 team winning the Super Bowl would be quite the shock.

Why we should root against the Buccaneers: Because they just won three years ago.

My prediction: The 49ers beat the Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Round.

The last time a Tampa Bay Area(Florida) based pro team won a championship: July 7th, 2021(The Tampa Bay Lightning won the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals).

Baltimore Ravens

Why we should root for the Ravens: To see Lamar Jackson get his well-deserved ring.

Why we should root against the Ravens: This is another team I absolutely hate, but excusing the bias here, they already have two Super Bowl wins in their short history. Do they really need another one?

My prediction: The Ravens will lose Super Bowl LVIII.

The last time a Baltimore, Maryland based pro team won a championship: February 3th, 2013(The Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII).

San Francisco 49ers

Why we should root for the 49ers: Aside from the fact we haven't seen them win a Super Bowl in about 30 years, it would amazing to see a "Mr. Irrelevant" start as Quarterback, and win a Super Bowl(Brock Purdy).

Why we should root against the 49ers: Because their team is stacked, and is basically a cheat code, thanks to Purdy's low salary.

My prediction: The 49ers will beat the Ravens in Super Bowl LVIII, 28-24.

The last time a San Francisco, California based pro team won a championship: June 16th, 2022(The Golden State Warriors won the 2022 NBA Finals).

[WhiteSteve]

The Patriots suck now, so I’ve kind of retired pro football as “conquered”, lmao. I just know I’ll never see better than what I just witnessed for 20 years, and I’m honestly struggling to even care anymore. Just completely satiated. I lived and breathed this stuff the whole way, and now, I think I might just be done.

Now I’m left with general well-wishes towards specific players or fan bases of certain teams. I’d love to see Lamar Jackson win one, and the SB MVP, just as a final “STFU” to all the “maybe he should be a RB/WR in the NFL” crowd. I hated the Ravens circa 2010, but they aren’t really natural rivals of the Pats, they were just good at the same time at one point, so I’ve warmed up to them.

For teams, you’d have to feel real good for Browns or Lions fans. Man, you talk about REAL fans…. that’s what it looks like. I’m no spring chicken, and both of those franchises have been laughingstocks for about as long as I’ve drawn breath on this earth.

[EnglishArtsteacher]

Ah, so you're a fairweather fan, got it lol.

[WhiteSteve]

Not at all, man, I was there through all the lean years as a kid. This is only like the third worst season I’ve seen from them. I lived through 1-15 and 2-14. And that gave us Drew Bledsoe, who, for all the hubbub about Tom Brady, saved the Patriots franchise. I put a ton of respect on his name. First game I ever watched was the ‘85 Bears blowing them out in the Super Bowl, and it was a long, dark time after that, especially from the perspective of in “kid years.”

What happened is that the Brady/Belichick regime came about, and they gave me more enjoyment and fulfillment than I could have ever dreamed of as a fan. In tandem, I got championships from all of the other pro teams in my city during that era. And I got AT LEAST twice as much unbelievable football that anyone could ever feel entitled to in a lifetime, let alone just two decades of my life. It was just an absolute embarrassment of riches. The rest of America hated us for it, and I get it. But I had my time. I’m full. I’m enjoying my post-sex cigarette, and I might just tear through the whole pack. I’m moving over and letting other fans have some fun. I have so many great sports memories I can’t even begin to remember them all. Competitively, not that they’re even my accomplishments, but in the stupid sports fan vs sports fan way…. I won. Big. And forever.

[WhiteSteve]

Maybe Mahomes and Reid can tear off another five Super Bowls and top it, but I doubt I’ll see it again in my lifetime, and that includes here in New England. So I’ll be waiting for a bus that’s never coming. What do I have left to want for as a fan? I collected all the Infinity Stones already, lmao, the quest is over. Like I’ve seen my team LOSE Super Bowls, in the most unbelievably heartbreaking fashion, and I don’t even fucking care because there was so much other winning that it’s been drowned out. I’ll cry over the other six Lombardis, lmfao. And the Atlanta comeback and the Malcolm Butler INT vs Seattle trounce the helmet catch. And one of my good
buddies was on that Giants team in ‘07, so I’m happy he got his ring.

I have my own pathetic amateur adult sports career to pour myself into emotionally. At this point, and now at an age where some of the athletes are young enough to be my kids, I just can’t get the same emotion going to watch other men play sports and live vicariously through it. I don’t begrudge anyone being a sports fan, and ultimately, I still am I, but I’m just in a position where I’ve seen everything I need to see, so maybe now I can enjoy it more sporadically and casually, and pursue my own athletic exploits instead, while I’m still (heavy air quotes) “young” enough. I’m intrigued as to how the Pats move forward with Jerod Mayo and maybe some new personnel, but I just don’t have emotions tied to it anymore. I’d rather see fans in Buffalo and Detroit and Cincinnati and Cleveland have their turn to have some fun👍

[EnglishArtsteacher]

Well, since you already suffered through the worst Patriots seasons, why not watch the 2020s Patriots?

[WhiteSteve]

Oh, I’m sure I WILL watch, just because I love football. I played semipro myself til I was 33, football has always been my “thing.” I’m not a halfway football fan, just as far as the NFL goes, I’ve seen just about everything already, that’s all. Only so many hours in a day, and sitting still in front of a TV just isn’t how I spend most of my free time. Still, three hours a week go to the Pats, it’s always been that way. I’m more talking theoretically, it’s not that I won’t watch, I just won’t care as much because I’m no longer hungry. I hope Mac Jones gets his game back together, but ultimately, whether he’s in New England or elsewhere, but I’d rather watch Mahomes or Joe Burrow play, in terms of quality football. Joe Sheisty is my fuckin’ guy, I love that kid. I’ve just had so much success that I’ve witnessed in my backyard that I’m ready to see others win. Every fan should get to see their team win a championship at least once in their lifetime.

[WhiteSteve]

Honestly, the pressure, even as a fan, of being a championship-or-bust team…. it’s almost not fun. 13-3 and losing in the Conference Championship round is a great season, but we had like 15 years where we couldn’t even appreciate that because it was always like “dude, Brady and Belichick have a chance to do something real special, but there’s only so much time.” Brady surprised us and played an extra ten years but all you heard was naysaying, so your confidence could waver. Even the Super Bowls…. I didn’t enjoy a single one of them, because they were always close, we never got that blowout win where you could be celebrating by the third quarter. They either lost or looked like they might lose every time. The Seattle and Atlanta Super Bowls were UNFORGETTABLE, but they absolutely shaved years off of my life, lmfao, especially Atlanta, because I thought they’d come back and make it respectable, but fall short. Honestly, hated every Super Bowl until it was over, haha. So I’m relieved to just have a few years where the pressure and expectations aren’t there, and I can more watch as a football nerd than a football fan, and play Madden Franchise Mode in my mind and try to figure out how to fix what’s broken, haha

[abc3643]

I need to correct this for you:

The last time a Buffalo, New York based pro team won a championship: December 26th, 1965(The Buffalo Bills won the 1965 AFL Championship).

====

No, the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League just won their 5th NLL Championship on 03 JUN 2023.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/uxZ84pH28UQ

Buffalo won in 1992, 1993, 1996, 2008, 2023.

I was in Buffalo at the 2008 Championship and the 2006 Championship which they lost at home to the Colorado Mammoth who also defeated Buffalo in the 2022 Championship, but whom the Bandits defeated in the 2023 Championship.

Here's the whole 2008 Championship. Watch and learn.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/aKoWXRcpmC0

[EnglishArtsteacher]

I wasn't aware this was even a team lol.

Well, thanks for correcting me, and letting me know.

[abc3643]

The National Lacrosse League is the most disrespected top-tier professional sports league, yet it is 3rd in average attendance for indoor professional sports behind the NHL and NBA.

Catch it on ESPN+.

[spartan55]

I guess this is a flex if it draws more than... arena league football? Monster truck?

[abc3643]

@spartan55 "I guess this is a flex if it draws more than..."
What does that even mean?

By the way...
While "monster truck" isn't a professional team sport, the AFL is... was... The Buffalo Destroyers never won the Arena Bowl though.

As for the NLL, the Buffalo Bandits draw very well. Their average attendance last season was 14731. The NHL Buffalo Sabres average attendance so far for last season was 15567. That's a difference of less than 1000.

[spartan55]

That's great man.

[LazerBean]

You need to apologize for that picture.

[EnglishArtsteacher]

Which picture?

[Jamie05rhs]

😅😅

[Anonymous]

I'm really interested in Cleveland, what they can do. They matchup well against Baltimore, Flacco isn't turning the ball over, they get Cooper back now, and their defense is tough on pretty much anyone. Not fancy, and overlooked. Other than Baltimore, the rest of the AFC teams have significant weaknesses that can be exploited. Baltimore doesn't, but Cleveland matches up well with them. It'll be interesting. Man, how far Miami fell... and how FAST too.👀That meltdown against Tennessee was a portent of things to come for them. They folded their tent on their season right then and there. The Niners are clear favorites out of the NFC. Dallas can't play off the turf in Irving, and the rest of the squads are either untested, injury riddled or lack firepower.

[EnglishArtsteacher]

This is a good analysis.

The Browns may be a dark horse.

[EnglishArtsteacher]

Well, so much for the Browns lol.

[spartan55]

Saw this after wild card weekend, but enjoyed the read. Diehard Eagles fan since 1988 (the Randall Cunningham, Reggie White era) so I've been through some VERY poor football (Rich Kotite anyone?) I must give you credit as a Bengals fan writing something positive about all three of your division rivals lol... my picks from here on out are Bills v 49ers Super Bowl with Buffalo finally breaking the curse and hoisting the Lombardi.

[shortster]

This year it seems like the Ravens are the team to beat. I expect that they will likely win the Superbowl. Though I would love to see San Francisco win after last year's heartbreaking loss to the Eagles. Aside from that I hope the Chiefs win; so we can talk less about how Brady is somehow the GOAT. I mean, how many times did he win a Superbowl only to get punished the following season for some cheating scandal? He wasn't even the best quarterback of his time.

[EnglishArtsteacher]

I agree with you about Tom Brady.

[Iron_Man]

I will root for the Detroit Lions against Tampa Bay. I normally would pick Tampa Bay but they’ve already won a Super Bowl not long ago recently enough and Detroit has never done anything they never even reached a Super Bowl. I like the coach old throwback style coach he was the dolphins intern coach for a while

[NathanDavis]

well damn... I do agree with all of these predictions...

but these, are kind of the obvious ones, so...

I do have my bet on the Bills to beat the Chiefs instead...

[EnglishArtsteacher]

That game can go either way.

[NathanDavis]

a few, yes...

[exitseven]

I gave up on the NFL 4 or 5 years ago when players that refused to stand for the national anthem were not punished. I know I am not the only one

[EnglishArtsteacher]

So, it didn't bother you that players that refused to stand for the National Anthem were not punished prior to 2019?

[exitseven]

I cannot ever remember seeing Amy players do rhat.

[EnglishArtsteacher]

Who's Amy?

[exitseven]

Amy played wide receiver for the Jets. 😊😊😊😊

[strateguy632]

the browns might win one but get excluded before semifinals

[EnglishArtsteacher]

They didn't.

I can't believe they lost in a blowout like that.

[LiamJHayden]

I doubt they'll get there but I'd love to see the Lions win it all. They have not won the NFL Championship since 1957. If not, then I'd like to see the Bills since they have not won a championship since 1965 and that was in the old AFL.

[handsomelad70]

You'd think you'd show a buxom blonde or two instead of a bunch of blobs.(Seriously, what sort of a** is that?)

[EnglishArtsteacher]

Who are you talking about?

[handsomelad70]

The chick in the Roethlisberger pants.

[coachTanthony]

Go browns only because the bengals didn’t make it

[EnglishArtsteacher]

Unfortunately, they're already out.

[coachTanthony]

Yup.

[Pudsmucker]

90% of the people I seen in this pro football fans I was totally grossed out.

[EnglishArtsteacher]

I don't understand what you're even saying.

[QuietRunner]

@EnglishArtsteacher Question?

Are you an Eagles fan?

[EnglishArtsteacher]

No, I'm not an Eagles fan.

[RingOfFire]

That butt is just plain terrifying. 😮

[EnglishArtsteacher]

What are you talking about?

[RingOfFire]

Picture #6