Super Bowl XXXV

For whom should a Philadelphian root?

Join the Discussion Whom should a Philadelphia sports fan root for in this year's Super Bowl? Share your thoughts in our Philadelphia Forum Related Resources • Bars and Pubs • Restaurants From Other Guides • Super Bowl Central • Half Time Show • Going to Tampa? • Super Bowl History • Super Bowl Party Ideas Elsewhere on the Web • Baltimore Ravens • New York Giants

Super Bowl XXXV is set. It's the Eagles versus... Oops, you say the Eagles lost? How did that happen? What's that? They were beaten by the New York Giants?

Yes, friends, it's the New York Giants versus the Baltimore Ravens in Tampa on Sunday, January 28, 2001.

What's a Philadelphian to do? For whom should we root? The Meadowlands, New Jersey, home of the New York Giants is 97 miles to the north of Center City, Philadelphia. Raven's Stadium in Baltimore is 95 miles to the south. Philadelphia is right smack in the middle of these two combatants.

Maybe everyone north of City Hall should root for the Giants and everyone south of City Hall should for the Ravens. No way.

No right minded Philadelphia sports fan can root for the stinking New York Giants. It's not just because they beat our Eagles 20-10 in the second round of the playoffs (which, by the way, doesn't look that bad considering the spanking that the Minnesota Vikings took in their 41-0 trouncing in the NFC title game). It's not just because the Giants have beaten the Eagles nine straight times.

It's much more basic than that. We're from Philadelphia. They're from New York. It doesn't matter whether it's the Giants, Jets, Mets, Yankees, Nicks, Rangers or any other New York team. We hate them.

So then, it's decided. We have to root for the Baltimore Ravens. It's not that hard. Baltimore folks are much more like us than New Yorkers. We'll forget that their team is owned by Art Modell who abandoned Cleveland and fled with his team in the middle on the night. That's past history.

Now, as for the game. Who will win? Here is my, albeit prejudiced opinion:

Super Bowl Prediction
Ravens
20-13

The best (and safest) place to see the game is probably in the comfort of your own living room or with friends at a local Super Bowl party. That being said, all of the bars and many of the restaurants in the Philadelphia area will have their TVs tuned to the big game.

Wherever you choose to watch the game, be sure to drink responsibly and if you do drink, don't drive. I hope your favorite team wins...as long as it's not the Giants!