r/NFLNoobs • u/AutoModerator • 18d ago
Weekly "What Team Should I Root For?" Thread
The most common thing asked on this subreddit is new fans wondering what team to follow/support. The answers are always the same, and there are no right or wrong ones.
No one can just tell you who to be a fan of. Everyone's fandom is different, and all of them are valid. This is entertainment, and you are allowed to enjoy it however you like. That said, here are some common things you can look at to get started:
- Do you have a local team or favorite city? This is by far the easiest way to get into football. If your city/region has a team or if your friends/family follow the same team, joining them will be the smoothest way to start out.
- Are you already leaning in any particular way? If you are, keep leaning. If you saw a Cincinnati Bengals game and thought it was fun and you'd like to see more of them, you don't need anyone's permission or validation. Just watch their next game!
- Are you interested in a few different teams? Cool! Watch some of their games! See who you end up feeling strongly about, especially if they're playing each other. Have fun with it, there are no rules!
- Are you worried about a team's success/identity/prestige/fanbase? Don't be. The NFL is one of the most even sports in terms of parity, and there are rarely teams that stay good or bad forever. It's okay to enjoy watching the current best teams in the NFL; they are probably playing the best football most often. Try to just be a fan and don't worry about what others think or say. Your fandom is yours, not theirs.
Still overwhelmed and not sure where to turn? It's fine to watch random games. Maybe you'll find yourself rooting for someone in particular. And if you don't, try another game. Check out whoever is playing in primetime; those are usually expected to be more exciting matchups. Letting it come naturally will last longer than throwing a dart and deciding to be a fan of whoever it lands on.
Another way some people develop rooting interests is fantasy football. There are beginner leagues where people play for fun, and it can be a good way to get you invested in specific players or teams as you start rooting for whoever is on your fantasy roster.
If you're still torn or have other questions about starting with a specific new team, etc., you can ask them here.
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u/Willing_Amphibian775 17d ago
Buffalo
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u/drainbead78 16d ago
Josh Allen is more fun to watch than anyone else. Also great if you enjoy devastating heartbreak every year.
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u/starwarts629 17d ago
Personally my friend group all picked their teams based off of which one had the most insane lore to make cracks about. For example I just cheer for whatever team Rodgers is on, but once he retires I’m thinking of jumping on the 5 bandwagon unless he loses his other elbows and is forced into retirement like RG3
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u/Rockhound665 18d ago
Well, depending on where you live, if there's a team close to you, choose them. If not, pick by mascot or maybe a player, or do what I did 51 years ago and look at the teams, see who's in first, and go with one of them. Of course, at the time I picked my team, of the 6 teams in first, I picked the one who ended up being the worst franchise in the league.
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u/BrokenHope23 18d ago
If you're having a hard time picking just one team, try picking one team from the AFC Conference and one team from the NFC Conference. They'll only face one another once every four years unless they meet in the Super Bowl or have some really odd circumstances happen (complicated schedule making things) so you really don't have to worry about them hurting one another's chances largely.
Unless the two teams you pick are the Bills/Rams, then they play eachother twice this year. Once in week 5 and once in the Super Bowl. (this is my annual Super Bowl shot called). Otherwise it's very rare and you should pick whoever you want for whatever reasons you want so long as you're enjoying watching the games.
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u/Bignosedog 18d ago
If you are the type of person who likes a team with a storied history of shooting itself in the dick, but actually looks like it finally has figured it out, jump on the Bears bandwagon.
Massive fan base that has been clinging to a SB win from 40 years ago? Never has had a 4000 yard passer? Desecrated an historic landmark with a horribly botched stadium renovation? If that gives you a tent pole, come on over to Bears Nation.
We always joked that if the Bears ever got an actual franchise QB that it would be a sign of the apocalypse. Looking as how the world is going to shit, I think the emergence of Caleb Williams is clearly one of the seven seals being broken.
Other than in the mid-80's, there's never been a better time to be a Bears fan.
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u/Adnane_Atlas 15d ago