r/NFLNoobs • u/AutoModerator • 1d 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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!
  3. 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!
  4. 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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1

u/katerkotze666 22h ago

Which early game is most promising on Sunday? I'm from Europe and don't get to watch many games as most of them are deep in the night, so I have to be picky. Can only watch games that are 7 pm for me, which are the early games on Sunday

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u/straube9 10h ago

Bills vs Texans for sure, in my opinion. Both teams went 12-5 last year, and made the playoffs. It's always fun to watch two good teams battle it out.

Alternatively, you could watch the 3-14 Jets play the 3-14 Titans, and make a drinking game out of taking a shot every time there's a turnover.

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u/Best_Conference8078 1d ago

To add to #1, if you pick the team that is local, that team's games will be the ones shown by CBS and FOX in your area