Fans of the Vikings and Jaguars (not to mention the Steelers, Titans, etc.) are surely disappointed – but who are NAPA Net readers rooting for – or against?
Well, whether you actually watch “the Big Game” or not (more on that in a minute), there’s little question that it’s the biggest sporting event of the year (Nielsen ratings indicate that 19 of the top 20 most watched TV broadcasts in the United States have been Super Bowls – the one exception to date is the Feb. 28, 1983 finale of M*A*S*H, which ranked #9).
Rooting Routes
But as for who those watching the game will be rooting for, among respondents to this week’s NAPA Net reader poll, a slim plurality (31%) say they are “euphoric about the Eagles,” compared with 27% who are “pulling for the Patriots.”
On the other hand, when you include the 28% who are rooting for “anybody but the Patriots,” well, let’s just say the Eagles may be underdogs, but not among our readers! “Happen to like Eagles but would have cheered any team against the Pats...” explained one reader.
Oh – but that doesn’t take into account the remainder of this week’s respondents (13%), who were (mostly) rooting for the commercials, though some were (already) looking ahead to spring training.
Recognizing that everyone might not actually be rooting for the teams that are playing, we asked readers what team they would cheer for if they had their choice of any team to win the Super Bowl this year. Despite that “latitude,” the “winners” were:
30% - Philadelphia Eagles
19% - New England Patriots
9% - Chicago Bears
6% - New York Giants
5% - New Orleans Saints
4% - Pittsburgh Steelers
The rest were scattered around the league.
‘Super’ Monday?
A recent survey from staffing firm OfficeTeam claims that nearly three-fourths (72%) of HR managers say that the day after the Super Bowl should be a paid national holiday from work. What did readers think of that idea? A plurality (42%) responded, “are you kidding?” – though it’s not completely clear whether that was a comment in favor of, or incredulity regarding the proposal. However, for another 35% (who said “you betcha!), their inclination was clearer. There was also the 17% who commented that “it might as well be,” while the remainder opined… “you mean it isn’t?”
One reader noted, “The game is always on so late, so I understand the HR managers’ perspective. Why don't they start the game at hour earlier?” Another said, “Most of us are ‘working’ during the game – working the crowd, so why not take half a day (the first half).” And then there was the reader who said, “Oh for crying out loud. Get your crap together and go to work!”
Matinee Idles?
We also asked readers to share with us their favorite sports movie. While there was quite a bit of variety in the responses, the winners here were (although, as one reader noted, “It's ridiculous to make me choose only 1”:
Field of Dreams
Hoosiers
Caddyshack
Rocky
A League of Their Own
The Sandlot
Miracle
Invincible
Rudy
Remember the Titans
Reader Comments
And comments? Oh, yes – we got reader comments! Here’s a sampling:
- The Steelers were robbed. That is all. I'm going to be sorely disappointed if some companies didn't pony up and put out some good commercials.
- These days I will tune in for the commercials and the halftime show.
- I'm looking forward to finding out who will join Justin Timberlake in the halftime show, then come on Spring! I think this is the year for the Washington Nationals!!!!!
- Hope commercials are better this year. Can’t wait for baseball to start!
- Bring on baseball! Although I do tend to watch the commercials, and eat too much, and drink beer, so I guess I can consider Super Bowl Sunday a good day.
- The halftime shows are just hyped up and awful. I would love for them to just put a good marching band in!
- Looking forward to baseball season! :)
- Best Super Bowl was XXXII. Broncos 31, Packers 24.
- I'm glad Bod Costas won't be part of it. Let's build a damn wall – between politics and sports. Enough of the political rants in sports coverage already.
- While you have to respect the talent of Brady, the Pats are cheaters and we are ready to deflate their egos.
- Dilly dilly – or should I say, “philly philly”?
- The haters need to get over the Patriots.
- I like the commercials.
- Will probably watch for the commercials and hope the Patriots lose!
- Don't believe the media coverage about Philadelphia fans. We are passionate, but most of us are good people with plenty of class. Someone decided almost 50 years ago to make a spectacle of a single event (Santa was a drunk jerk, btw), and the media has routed out negative confirmation bias coverage ever since. There's always an idiot in every city, but this is not the majority. Please also don't forget that the sheer volume of fans in Philadelphia compared to other cities means there are more jerks, but the per capita ratio is probably on par with other sizable fan bases.
- The Eagles will rush out to an early lead, and then a combination of shenanigans by shady Brady, Bill Bellicheat and the corrupt officials will give the Patriots a controversial and undeserved win. I’m considering skipping the Super Bowl this year for the first time ever. Pitchers and catchers report just over a week later!
- I'm ready to consume my weight in guacamole and drink beer.
- I never want this season to end!!! I am from Philadelphia.
- Fly Eagles Fly!
- I am so tired of the whole nation dumping on the Patriots, New England lived through all of the other dynasties, and before Brady and Belichick, the Patriots were part of every highlight reel as the team getting beat by someone else. Also, for everyone who calls them cheaters you need to look at your own team’s history of cheating, there is not one that has not been caught cheating in much more devious ways than the claims against the Pats. Get over it America and realize you are living through something special, enjoy it even if it is not your team.
- I like football season – I especially enjoy fantasy football. However, once fantasy is over and the Lions are out of it, I tend to lose interest. I can snooze on the couch to golf just as easily as I can to football – in fact, golf (which I have no interest in ever playing) is more soothing with all the polite clapping and the beautiful courses. Eventually baseball starts, and then I’m awake again. We do ‘celebrate’ Super Bowl Sunday at our house with lots of junk food, viewing of the Puppy and Kitten Bowls, and sometimes we even watch part of the actual game in case we can catch a great commercial.
- Brady = GOAT2nd
- So tired of the protests and politics entering the game... Actually looking forward to the Puppy Bowl more than the Super Bowl.
- GO EAGLES!!!
Thanks to everyone who participated in this week's – and every week’s – NAPA Net Reader Poll!
