But it got me thinking…why do we hate teams? There are many reasons we develop such a strong disdain for certain franchises. If you play the same team over and over, you are bound to pick sides. Cubs-Cardinals and Bears-Packers come to mind. Could be geographic proximity, like a lot of your deep-seeded college rivalries (Michigan-Michigan State, USC-UCLA, Florida-Georgia). Maybe two teams play each other in the playoffs for a few years in a row, like the Lakers and Celtics or Red Wings and Avalanche. My podcast partner would tell you that people hate the Patriots because they’re jealous of their success, whereas a non-Chowd like myself would tell you that people hate them because of their arrogant, entitled fan base or because they’ve been accused of cheating. I also think the way a franchise is perceived by the national media has something to do with it, especially when it’s not always deserved. It’s why you either love Notre Dame or hate them, with not much room in between.
Truth is, sports hate is born out of a combination of all these things. If it was only based on location, an Indians fan would fear for his life walking around Pittsburgh. If it was just success, why wouldn’t there be a vehement uprising against the Chicago Bulls, St. Louis Cardinals, or San Antonio Spurs? As much run as the Cubs have gotten over the last couple of years, why are we all rooting for them?
It’s all about perspective. If you’re from the Bronx and grew up a Yankees fan, you see a model franchise with 27 world championships. The rest of us see a team that hasn’t won a title since 2009 yet holds themselves up as the Gold Standard. The Montreal Canadiens have 24 Stanley Cups to their credit, but none since 1993. Why are they hailed over a team like the Blackhawks, who have won three of the last six championships? Green Bay bills itself as “Titletown,” and Pittsburgh as “Six-burgh,” and their fans act like it’s their birth right to be grandfathered into the Super Bowl every year. Imagine how annoying that is to a Vikings or Ravens fan. Don’t even get me started on the self-titled “America’s Team.” Talk about entitlement despite the recent lack of success.
When my son was born more than 14 years ago, I promised my wife I wouldn’t force him to be a Philly fan. He would, however, be disowned if he was a Cowboys, Penguins, or Mets fan. But I also had to teach him “hate” versus “sports hate.” I hate Sidney Crosby because I think he’s a whiny little bitch, but respect his talent. I couldn’t stand Michael Irvin as a player, and yet have heard him interviewed and find him to be enjoyable. Bill Belichick may be a prickly jerk with the media, but I’d let him coach my team any day.
So does this perspective make me hate “The U,” the Pens, or the ‘Boys any less? Not at all. In fact, as a parting shot, We Are ND, Let’s Go Flyers, and Fly Eagles Fly. And if you’re a Miami, Pittsburgh, or Dallas fan…I don’t hate you, but wish you the worst of luck this weekend.
TENNESSEE (-3.5) over Jacksonville – Another Thursday night “Color Rush” game, which have been as ugly as the
Jaguars’ mustard yellow uniforms. Titans 24, Jaguars 20
CINCINNATI (-3) over Washington – So we’re still doing the London thing, huh? Think the Brits know what a Redskin is, or that it’s a socially offensive term? Think they care? Bengals 19, Redskins 14
ATLANTA (-3) over Green Bay – I struggled with this one, since as soon as I start to buy the Falcons as a legit contender they go all San Diego and come from ahead to lose to…San Diego. But I think I’m third on Green Bay’s depth chart at running back right now, and given their secondary problems, Julio Jones should go for a few hundred yards. Falcons 34, Packers 28
HOUSTON (-2.5) over Detroit – Bizarro pick. The Lions would seem to have momentum after their last second win last week, whereas the Texans should be having buyer’s remorse with their $72 million quarterback. They’ll flip this week. Texans 23, Lions 17
NEW ORLEANS (+3) over Seattle – This one tripped me up, too. I’m predicting a bad week. Hard to go against the Saints at home, even against a defense like Seattle. Saints 27, Seahawks 25
New England (-6.5) over BUFFALO – It’s not often that the Patriots need to avenge a loss, but when they do they’ll pull out all the stops. Or the cameras. Or some of the air. Patriots 35, Bills 12
New York Jets (-3.5) over CLEVELAND – RIP to the Geno Smith experiment in New York, which means the Jets are back to Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Browns should pick off a few passes. But that won’t be enough for the Browns. Jets 20, Browns 13
TAMPA BAY (-1) over Oakland – Anyone check the temperature in Hell this week? I’m guessing it’s freezing since I actually won a fantasy football match last week. I could use a big game from Jameis Winston and Mike Evans to keep that streak going. Buccaneers 30, Raiders 28
Kansas City (-2.5) over INDIANAPOLIS – Just don’t think the Colts are very good. Chiefs 23, Colts 20
San Diego (+5.5) over DENVER – Potentially a let down here for the Broncos, on a short week after the emotional dispatching of Brock Osweiler and the Texans. The Chargers, meanwhile, always seem to hold their own at Mile High. Broncos 22, Chargers 20
CAROLINA (-3) over Arizona – Remember when these two teams were good enough to play each other in the NFC Championship game? That was fun. Panthers 25, Cardinals 21
Philadelphia (+4.5) over DALLAS – I mean, if you can’t figure this one out by now… Eagles 30, Cowboys 27
Minnesota (-5.5) over CHICAGO – Good news, Chicago fans. The Cubs are in the World Series. The bad? Jay Cutler is back! Vikings 22, Bears 13
Bye: Baltimore, Los Angeles, Miami, New York Giants, Pittsburgh, San Francisco
Week 6: 9-5-1 Straight up; 9-6 Against the spread
2016 Season: 64-42-1; 52-55