For the past couple years, the NFC North has been pandemonium. In my opinion, it all started with the 2010 NFC North Championship. As a reminder, that's the year when Green Bay played Chicago in Chicago.* That year, the Bears went 11-5 and the Packers went 10-6 with the Lions and Vikings having losing seasons.
The 2011 season, we saw a shift in position:
Packers went 15-1
Lions took 2nd at 10-6
Bears 8-8
Vikings 3-13.
The 2012 season brought yet another jockeying for position:
Packers: 11-5
Vikings: 10-6
Bears: 10-6
Lions: 4-12
This year is no different. Before last week, the Lions looked like they were going to take the NFC North, with the Bears nipping at their heels, the Packers in 3rd, and the Vikings dying with a losing record. But after two games the Lions the Lions are no longer in first, and the Bears are only half a game ahead of the Packers (the Vikings are still losing). If either the Packers or the Bears win out (meaning, one has to beat the other in the last game of the season) then they will win the NFC North.
Frankly, I just can't decide if winning the division will be a theft or the price of parity. To be on top for so long, and then to fall from grace just seems unjust for the Lions. On the other hand, it's their own damn fault for losing to a team that scored no touchdowns. We'll see what happens.
At the end of the day, it's really of no import who represents the NFC North. Or the NFC East for that matter. Mark my words, the NFC Championship game will comprise of teams from the NFC South and/or the NFC West. With the way they are playing, it may very well be an inter-divisional rivalry between the 49ers and the Seahawks.
*Incidentally, the first time the two have ever played in a championship game.
Showing posts with label Trivia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trivia. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Pick a Side and Stay There!
Obviously, football is more than just the NFL. It's college and high school, too. Which is why I get so confused when people say that they used to root for one team, but then they started rooting for the team's mortal enemy. We learn from very early on that when you are associated with one team, you just cannot switch sides. So, if you are born a Packers fan, you cannot switch to a Vikings fan; if you're a Titans fan, you cannot suddenly root for the Colts; and if you're a Browns fan, you cannot be a Steelers fan. It's just how the world works. But, did you know that if you're a Browns fan, rules dictate that you hate the Ravens as well? True story!
The NFL will form expansion teams every now and again. Meaning, if the market demands it, the NFL will form a new team to meet that demand. Some teams that started as expansion teams are the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Carolina Panthers, the Tennessee Titans, and the Baltimore Ravens (sort of). Now, purists will say that neither the Titans nor the Ravens are expansion teams, because they were actually teams that were just moved. The Titans were previously the Houston Oilers, and the Baltimore Ravens were the Cleveland Browns. And this is where the Browns/Ravens rivalry comes in.
As I understand it, in 1995, the Browns were on fire. They finished the season well, staying in the playoffs until losing in the 2nd round. The city loved them, the team was playing well, and all was rosy. Except, the owner wanted a new stadium. The city told him to kick rocks in flip flops. So...he did...by moving the team to Baltimore. After a major controversy, the team was allowed to leave, but they couldn't take the name*. They were deemed an expansion team and renamed the Ravens. During the next 3 years, the Browns didn't exist....and in the 3rd year, the Ravens won the Super Bowl. Understandably, Browns fans were pretty bitter. To switch from rooting for the Browns to the Ravens is tantamount to treason.
I have similar debates with people regarding my love of the Packers despite no longer living in Wisconsin. I constantly run into women who say that they've lived in thus-and-so place for so long that they just adopted their new city's team. OR, (worse, in my opinion) they began rooting for their husband's favorite team. Listen chicks. You wouldn't change from vodka to cognac just because you left your hometown or your husband liked it. Don't do it with your football team either. Show a little respect!
*Or the history, stats, or team colors. But they are totally winning on the colors aren't they? Black and purple? Hello, dope.
The NFL will form expansion teams every now and again. Meaning, if the market demands it, the NFL will form a new team to meet that demand. Some teams that started as expansion teams are the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Carolina Panthers, the Tennessee Titans, and the Baltimore Ravens (sort of). Now, purists will say that neither the Titans nor the Ravens are expansion teams, because they were actually teams that were just moved. The Titans were previously the Houston Oilers, and the Baltimore Ravens were the Cleveland Browns. And this is where the Browns/Ravens rivalry comes in.
As I understand it, in 1995, the Browns were on fire. They finished the season well, staying in the playoffs until losing in the 2nd round. The city loved them, the team was playing well, and all was rosy. Except, the owner wanted a new stadium. The city told him to kick rocks in flip flops. So...he did...by moving the team to Baltimore. After a major controversy, the team was allowed to leave, but they couldn't take the name*. They were deemed an expansion team and renamed the Ravens. During the next 3 years, the Browns didn't exist....and in the 3rd year, the Ravens won the Super Bowl. Understandably, Browns fans were pretty bitter. To switch from rooting for the Browns to the Ravens is tantamount to treason.
I have similar debates with people regarding my love of the Packers despite no longer living in Wisconsin. I constantly run into women who say that they've lived in thus-and-so place for so long that they just adopted their new city's team. OR, (worse, in my opinion) they began rooting for their husband's favorite team. Listen chicks. You wouldn't change from vodka to cognac just because you left your hometown or your husband liked it. Don't do it with your football team either. Show a little respect!
*Or the history, stats, or team colors. But they are totally winning on the colors aren't they? Black and purple? Hello, dope.
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