HOW TO ROOT IN THE PLAYOFFS: DIVISIONAL ROUND

by wwtb?, Pacifist Viking

Last week, I told you how to root for the NFL playoffs if your team isn't playing: root for the most long-suffering fanbase. We'll apply the same approach to the divisional rounds. If you miss rooting for your favorite team and want the feeling of rooting for somebody, then feel good about yourself and join with some fans who could really use a championship.

Seahawks v. Packers

The argument for rooting for long-suffering Seattle sports fans is easy. They've never seen their Mariners win a championship. They haven't seen their Sonics win a championship since 1979 (AND the Sonics are likely moving out of Seattle soon). And they've never seen their Seahawks win a championship. This is a fanbase that has dealt with around 30 years of emptiness, and they deserve your support.

The national media often portrays Packer fans very glowingly: they're the small-town heroes, a fun-loving bunch that's loyal to their community owned team no matter what. As a Viking fan, I see Packer fans a little like you probably see Yankee fans: obnoxious bullies that always get what they want. The Packers have won 12 championships, most recently in the 1996 season. So your typical Packer fan roots for a team with more pro football championships than anybody else, and has seen his or her favorite team win a championship. As as a Viking fans who has listened to many Packer fans taunt the Vikings' championship failings, I see no reason at all to root for the Packers (though the people on TV will do their best to get you to do so).

Jaguars v. Patriots
The Jaguars have existed since 1995 and haven't won a championship, but they also haven't given their fans a long bout of suffering, either. But let's just explore what Boston sports fans have:

They root for the Celtics, who won a record 16 NBA championships, and who now have Kevin Garnett leading them to the best record in the NBA.

They root for the Red Sox, who won two of the last four World Series.

They root for the Patriots, who won three Super Bowls this decade and just went 16-0.

If you're not a Patriot fan but you're rooting for New England, you probably also celebrated when oil went over $100 a barrel.

Chargers v. Colts
Before last season, Indianapolis fans rooting for the Pacers and the Colts watched their favorite teams play very well and get very close without winning a championship (the Colts never in Indianapolis, the Pacers three ABA championships, the last in 1975). But then the Colts rewarded their long-suffering fans with a Super Bowl win last season. They're now at a 0 on the long-suffering list.

What about San Diego fans? The Padres have never won a championship, and the Chargers won an AFL championship in 1963. They had the San Diego Clippers for a few years, but they sucked then moved to L.A. to suck some more. So San Diego sports fans haven't seen a championship since in 45 years. Cleveland last saw a title when the Browns won an NFL championship in 1964. The Buffalo Bills won an AFL championship in 1965. Everybody recognizes these fans as long-suffering, but Charger fans have certainly had just as much emptiness.

You should jump on the Charger bad-rocket (it's 2008--we don't need not stinking wagon!).

Giants v. Cowboys
You should despise each team. However, the Giants last won a Super Bowl in the 1986 season, and the Cowboys won a Super Bowl in the 1995 season. So you should despise the Giants a little less.