New to the NFL? Want a team to follow? Well, look no further.
Finally, after seven excruciating months without the NFL, we are back.
The reigning Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, take on their arch-rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, on Thursday Night Football.
However, as a sport that grows in popularity in the UK with every passing season, new followers of American football can become overwhelmed very quickly.
There so much to wrap your head around. Getting to grips with the rulebook, learning the names of an endless list of players and most importantly, becoming familiar with Taylor Swift’s discography!
In all seriousness, there is a lot of new information to retain, which leaves little room to work out which franchise a spectator should follow.
Let me help you with this life-changing decision.
Welcome to the Eagles’ dysfunctional, but incredible, family
When selecting a fanbase to join, the easy choice is to side with the reigning Super Bowl champions – Go Birds!
However, one thing you should know about the NFL is that lightning rarely strikes the same place twice.
The Kansas City Chiefs are an exception to this rule – lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy in 2023 and 2024 – so picking a team to support should be based on more than success. It should be a team that you can relate to.
In my case, as an NBA fanatic, my love for Philadelphia came from witnessing a set of irrational, emotional yet passionate fans follow their heroes into battle despite the vulgar nature of their performances on the court.
Rightfully named the ‘City of Brotherly Love’, the area represents a hard-working population who use sport as escapism.
Whether it be the NFL, Major League Baseball or the NBA, the franchises based in Philly can dictate a person’s mood until the next matchup comes along.
A talented roster always helps
Without totally branding myself as a hypocrite, the level of talent on the Eagles’ roster provided some spectacular moments in the run to Super Bowl LIX.
The explosive Saquon Barkley magically jumped backwards over Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones, leaving the crowd in awe.
Rookie sensation Cooper DeJean left the Baltimore Ravens’ powerful running back Derrick Henry in a helpless heap on the floor with a crunching tackle.
And finally, the monstrous Jalen Carter flattened LA Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in the NFC Divisional Round matchup. That sack epitomised the ruthless mentality of this squad of players.
There is no doubt that selecting a franchise to follow will be one of the hardest decisions you may ever have to make.
So why not pick a team that will always have you feeling that cardiac arrest is just around the corner?
