Every league has that owner who wins a little too often. Every dog has its day, but this dog seems to get long, extended weekends in the spotlight. They make the playoffs year after year and end up in the title game several times, while other owners never make it that far.
And deep down, you always root against them.
I'm not saying you don't respect them, or acknowledge their success. But we have a deep-rooted, innate desire to see the underdog win. That's why "Rocky" spawned so many sequels. It's why we like comeback stories in sports and entertainment. And, ironically, it's why the New England Patriots were such a great story back in 2002 when they beat the St. Louis Rams.
Since then, the Patriots have won three more Super Bowls (and lost a couple as well). Now they're back again, and their opponent is one of a handful of teams to have never won a Super Bowl, NFL or AFL title. The team that wins all the time vs. the team that never wins. In fantasy football you know who'd you support.
Atlanta is the owner who's a good guy and a competent fantasy manager, but never gets over the hump. His team is usually respectable but isn't a real contender. Until now. They need just one more win to finally get a championship under their belt.
New England is the owner who wins so often, you just get sick of their name on the trophy. You imagine them as cocky and unfriendly, and you start hoping things don't go their way. Still, they make the playoffs year after year. And then they're in the championship game. And you just want someone -- anyone -- to stop them.
So if this was fantasy football, Atlanta would be the obvious favorite. But is it that easy in real football? Don't we have a little more respect for what Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have created? In 50 years that group will still be a model for putting a winning franchise together, and we've seen them in action for their entire run. Brady has a chance to eclipse Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw for most Super Bowl wins by a quarterback. A win would also give New England five titles, tied with Dallas and San Francisco and one behind Pittsburgh.
Yes, there was Spygate and Deflategate. But that doesn't explain 14 division titles and seven Super Bowl appearances in 16 years. A New England win wouldn't just be an annual celebration and crowning of the NFL's best. It would be record-breaking history. Who wouldn't root for that?
Well, how about anyone who wants to see a new team win it all? The Falcons aren't considered doormats, or a team with dirty players, or malcontents. They don't have a cheap owner. They don't threaten to leave Atlanta every season. They're a good, solid franchise. They didn't luck their way into Houston. They belong there.
Do you know what it would look like to see Brady and Belichick hoist the Lombardi trophy? Exactly what it looked like all the other times. But Matt Ryan? Julio Jones? Those guys helped a lot of you win fantasy titles this season. Wouldn't it be nice to see them get one for themselves?
It usually comes down to geography. If you're from Atlanta, or have family up north, it could affect who gets your support. Likewise, if you're the guy who wins a lot in fantasy football, maybe you want to see your real-life counterparts get the job done.
But if you've ever been the underdog, or just get tired of seeing the same guys get the same accolades, you'll be looking for a first-timer take the trophy. I think that will be me. My mom is from Boston, and she'll be sporting the Brady jersey I bought her, but she'll get over it. You can't win them all, right? Then again, with those guys, maybe you can.
In any case, we'll looking for a good game to close out a pretty entertaining season. I hope we all get what we want in that regard.
If you didn't already root for one of the teams, who are you going with on Super Bowl Sunday, and why? Share your thoughts below.