What Team Are Arizona Cardinals Fans Rooting For In NFC?

by Jess Root on Jan 5, 2012 11:00 AM MST in General Arizona Cardinals News

As the NFL playoffs are about to start, I received an interesting question from fellow SB Nation writer. The Arizona Cardinals are not in the playoffs, and it is natural to root for a particular team that is still in, or if you have make picks or placed a wager of some sort, you have a vested interest in the outcome. So the question is this:

With the Arizona Cardinals not in the playoffs, what NFC team are you rooting for?

The writer (James Brady from Niners Nation, who also writes for other of the SB Nation sites) tweeted this to ask and elaborate:

@ninnyjams
James Brady Interested to know how @TurfShowTimes @FieldGulls and @revengeofbirds are rooting in playoffs. Recall 49ers fans rooting for NFCW once out.
Jan 05 via webFavorite RetweetReply

I know that Cardinals fans are not generally fans of the San Francisco 49ers. Do you set that hate aside for the playoffs for the good of the NFC West?

Is there another team you hope makes it, or do you root for a player instead?

Personally, because of my passion as a fan, I cannot root for the Niners now. I just can't do it. It's like like my college allegiance. No matter what happens, as an Arizona State alum and fan, I cannot wish any good thing upon the University of Arizona.

In discussing the matter with other people, I have come to the conclusion that when it comes to rivalries, only the casual fan cheers for a division rival to do well. If you are heavily invested in one team emotionally, the rival teams bring up feelings of hate. You just can't cheer for that team unless there is a player or group of players you respect greatly.

Alex Smith is the Niners' QB. I don't have great respect for him. I can't root for the no matter how much I try.

What team is my favorite in the NFC? The New Orleans Saints -- because of Drew Brees.

The question now yours -- what NFC team do want to represent the conference in the Super Bowl?

We invite you to follow Revenge of the Birds on Twitter at @revengeofbirds and like us on Facebook

Poll

Which NFC team are you rooting for in the playoffs? (Please only vote if you are a Cardinals fan) Also...please explain in the comments.

Packers

38 votes

Niners

25 votes

Saints

57 votes

Giants

16 votes

Falcons

16 votes

Lions

46 votes

None (explain)

14 votes

212 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 26 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Thanks for a poll on this, I am genuinely interested.

I’d say a large majority of 49ers fans have rooted for the NFC West over the last several years.

And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter

by James Brady on Jan 5, 2012 11:04 AM MST reply actions

Since 1975 I have been a Cardinal fan

and have never pulled for anyone else,I kinda like to see underdogs win but this year I want to see the 9ers go out in their first game just because I hate them so

by cardsfannc on Jan 5, 2012 11:10 AM MST reply actions 1 recs

Even though I know it won't happen

I’ll pull for the Lions. It’s been so long since they’ve even made the playoffs. Really like Stafford and Megatron.

Follow me on Twitter @TylerNickelASU

by Tyler Nickel on Jan 5, 2012 11:15 AM MST via iPhone app reply actions

Root for the never beens and the never wons...

…every playoff season. So the Lions get the full backing in the NFC, with the Falcons next. Texans and Bengals in the AFC, unfortunate they have to pair off in the first round.

Sorry, Niners fans. I will root for the ’Hawks and Rams before I root for your York-led franchise. Get Eddie back and I may change my tune.

Don't waste time or Time will waste you.

by Hawkwind on Jan 5, 2012 11:28 AM MST reply actions

I am not going to actively root for the 49ers, but I would not mind seeing them win so it makes the NFC Best look better

Only team I’m rooting for this year is the Ravens because of Heap and Boldin.

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Jan 5, 2012 11:39 AM MST reply actions

That's my thought process on the Niners too

by Jesse Reynolds on Jan 5, 2012 11:59 AM MST up reply actions

I hate the 9ers. Packers are too cocky. Anyone else.

When life gives you lemons... Bag them up and sell them. Fruit can be expensive these days.

by hevchv on Jan 5, 2012 11:56 AM MST via mobile reply actions

I'm going for the Niners

Not because I like them (ok I kind of do, Patrick Willis is one of my favorite NFL players) but I want the NFC West to get some respect.
I also am rooting for De-Riot because of how bad they have been.
On the AFC side I pretty much hope they all lose. Regardless of who it is I will root for the NFC over the ESPN-drooled-over AFC

by Jesse Reynolds on Jan 5, 2012 12:01 PM MST reply actions

Oh and thanks Jess you inspired me to do another post

Favorite player(s) not on the Cardinals?

by Jesse Reynolds on Jan 5, 2012 12:02 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

All time players would be Walter Payton

Currently, it is Anquan Boldin (he was a Cardinal, but not anymore so it counts for me)

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Jan 5, 2012 12:23 PM MST up reply actions

+1 on Walter

Greatest all-around player of all-time, IMO (no disrespect to Rice, but Payton could do it all – I think he even punted in a game).

by CardsFan1976 on Jan 5, 2012 12:47 PM MST up reply actions

+1 on Boldin

Clever, awesome player PLUS an ex-Cardinal!
Do you read that him and Fitz are going to Africa to do charity together? It saddens me we couldn’t keep them together, forever. :’(

by Jesse Reynolds on Jan 5, 2012 1:02 PM MST up reply actions

Yep

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Jan 5, 2012 2:00 PM MST up reply actions

Go for it!

Like the Cardinals? Revenge of the Birds is where to go.
Like Arizona Sports in general? SB Nation Arizona is where you'll get it all.
Follow me on Twitter! @senorjessroot

by Jess Root on Jan 5, 2012 12:30 PM MST up reply actions

It's tough, for me.

When I was younger, I was a 49er fan (because of Montana/Rice and Young/Rice). They were a likable team and they were a lot of fun to watch. Now that they are rivals (and have been for a little while), I found myself rooting against them. But I like Harbaugh as a coach, so I found myself not hating them, though I never actually rooted for them (okay, maybe against Dallas).

In the end, I like Brees, so I’ll be rooting for the Saints. I like Rodgers too, because he made my fantasy season respectable, so I wouldn’t be upset if the Packers find NFC success and play against (by my guess) the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

by psknapp on Jan 5, 2012 12:25 PM MST reply actions

Lions

As a fan of another formerly downtrodden team, it’s nice to see those teams/fans that have had so many rough years get their shot at glory.

by CardsFan1976 on Jan 5, 2012 12:46 PM MST reply actions

I like the NFC field.

I’ve never been anything but a Cardinals fan, but I just don’t have it out for the 49ers this year. Most years I’ve despised them; and certainly I couldn’t stand them the whole time Mike Singletary was head coach. But I have to applaud Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers’ accomplishments this year. Their playoff appearance is well deserved, and if they went all the way I would be perfectly happy for them.

That said, I have good things to say about every playoff team in the NFC except the Giants. I think New Orleans is the team I’d most like to see in the Super Bowl. I’d love to see a New Orleans / Green Bay showdown in the NFC Championship.

by Vaegrin on Jan 5, 2012 1:44 PM MST reply actions

I voted none.

i rather see any team in the AFC win. Go Broncos! Texans!

i’m really hoping the Niners get pounded in their first game…

by forget on Jan 5, 2012 1:52 PM MST reply actions

Falcons and Lions

I like a couple of the Falcons players and I kind of want Matt Ryan to get a playoff win, especially now that we’re not in the hunt. As for the Lions, I think they’re still such a bad team that they’re hard to root against. Their success depends entirely on Stafford’s arm. If they go deep into the playoffs Stafford will get an early lock on top 5 QB status in my view.

by tw3kr on Jan 5, 2012 2:28 PM MST reply actions

I won't cheer for any team but the Cardinals

I watch all the games and hope for good to great games, but won’t actively cheer for one team over the other.

We all bleed Cardinal Red, but most of us don't recognize it!

"It takes no talent to give great effort"--Chris Petersen

Patrick Peterson is the 2nd coming of Deion Sanders. They even wear the same number.

by robloosli on Jan 5, 2012 2:49 PM MST reply actions

Giants.

It was my dads team. They won the Superbowl the year he passed. For some reason I keep thinking of some angels in the outfield scenario went down that day…

Insert epic quote here: "I got nothin'"

by The_Knife on Jan 5, 2012 2:53 PM MST reply actions

Torn

Packers and Saints. Love the offense of both teams and love both quarterbacks. Would definitely be all for the Saints if they were still in that old underdog mode, but they aren’t . I voted for the Packers at the end since I was rooting for them to finally break the unbeaten streak so we could quit watching the annual champagne toast at the old folks home. Oh well.

"The true test of a person's intellligence is how much they agree with you."

by pthesz on Jan 5, 2012 3:18 PM MST reply actions

I voted none...

…simply because my favorite of the playoff teams is the Broncos.
If I had to put an NFC team it’d be the Lions because of Suh.

by EnglishCard on Jan 5, 2012 3:32 PM MST reply actions

I refuse to root for teams with multiple Super Bowl titles

I despise most of those teams, thanks mainly to their bandwagon fans. You know the type: “5 RINGS!! How many rings have you got?? LOL!!” They’re everywhere, especially the internet. F them all. If the Packers, Niners, or Giants reach the Super Bowl and their opponent is the Steelers, I won’t even be watching.

I usually root for a team that hasn’t won a Super Bowl before. Maybe it is empathy for their fans since I know exactly what it’s like. So, Falcons or Lions for me. Unfortunately both are long shots. Of the higher-seeded NFC teams the only one I can tolerate is the Saints.

by Zapf on Jan 5, 2012 5:21 PM MST reply actions

While I hope the Niners,

represent the west well, my disdain for them cannot allow me to cheer for them. I’m rooting for a fellow NFL doormat..Go Lions!!! I hope Suh gets the chance to abuse Aaron Rodgers

Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.

by INSOMAN1ATIC on Jan 5, 2012 6:57 PM MST reply actions