Patriot haters: Root for the Eagles, not just against the Patriots

By Joe Smeltzer

The dog masks are certainly fitting for this Super Bowl matchup. (Photo creds to NJ.Com)

In Pittsburgh, Some are billing this Super Bowl as a "battle of Evil vs. Evil."

On one side, there's the dreaded Patriots, who have owned our beloved Steelers so much so over the past 15 years that a franchise that prides itself on being a cut above everyone else has developed an obsession with them. On the other side, hated "Filthadelphia," -not Pittsburgh- is flying the Pennsylvania flag in the pinnacle of North American sports. So it's understandable that Steelers fans and a lot of others find themselves in a no-win situation of sorts come Sunday. But one of these two teams is quite likable, and for that, they should have the support of any football fan outside of the Northeast.

What's there not to like about this Eagles team? As far as neutral fans go, Philly checks off all the boxes on being the team to root for in the Super Bowl- and not just because the Eagles aren't the Patriots.

Fans love underdog stories. The Eagles fit the bill for that, not only because they got to the big dance coming off a 7-9 season, but they also overcame several injuries- most notably Carson Wentz- along the way. The fact that Nick Foles has a shot to stop Tom Terrific from winning his sixth Super Bowl says it all about Philly's long shot status. Even the head coach fits the bill.

Doug Pederson spent a total of three seasons as an NFL coordinator and had never been a head coach above the high school level before being hired to clean up Chip Kelly's mess. After a rocky (no pun intended) rookie campaign, now has a chance to do what no Eagles head coach has ever done in bringing a Super Bowl to the City of Brotherly Love. Underdogs make for a great story, and the Eagles are a great story.

Fans love personalities, and the Eagles have plenty of them. From the "take home to mom and dad" Wentz to the borderline frat-boy attitude of offensive tackle Lane Johnson, and even to the best baseball player in the world, Mike Trout, attending every home game, the Eagles enjoy what they do, and understand that games are made to be fun. Personalities make for entertainment, and the Eagles are entertaining.

Fans love teams that haven't been there before. Given that Philly has just two Super Bowl appearances in its' history and lost both of them, it's fair to say the Eagles and their fans check that box. While Philly has an ugly image- and have done more to deserve that image than a lot of fanbases have, there are Eagles fans, some of which are friends of mine, that deserve to see their beloved franchise hoist the Lombardi trophy for the first time. Fans love first-time winners, and the Eagles could bring it all home for the first time Sunday.

So for those of you outside of the Northeast, when your buddy asks you who you are rooting in the big game, you'll likely say the Eagles. But don't say that just because you don't like the Patriots. Say it because this Philly team is fun to watch, and easy to get behind.