Who Do You Want To Win It All?

Posted Jan 4, 2014

Ryan MinkBaltimoreRavens.com Staff Writer@Ravens All Ryan Mink Articles



Head Coach John Harbaugh is rooting for his brother and the 49ers. How about you?



Head Coach John Harbaugh turned to his family tree to sort out his rooting interests.

“I’m a 49ers fan,” he said on Tuesday after the Ravens had been eliminated from the playoffs.

Harbaugh has his brother and San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh to pull for. But it’s not quite as easy for Ravens fans.

As the wild-card round of the playoffs are set to begin today, we’re wondering, who are you pulling for?

Here are some reasons to root or not root for each team:

AFC

Denver Broncos (13-3)
For: The Ravens crushed the Broncos' Super Bowl aspirations last year with the “Mile High Miracle.” That was pretty brutal. You want to witness Peyton Manning cap a record-setting regular season with a Super Bowl that would arguably make it the greatest quarterbacking year of all-time. Hey, maybe he would retire on top.
Against: The Broncos crushed the Ravens, 49-27, to open the season and stole the regular-season opener from Baltimore. Plus, what Ravens fan likes Peyton?

New England Patriots (12-4)
For: You respect Head Coach Bill Belichick and like his memes.
Against: Ask Terrell Suggs. The Patriots also reveled in handing the Ravens a bitter 41-7 defeat at home in Week 16. And they’re big rivals.

Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)
For: Head Coach Marvin Lewis used to be the Ravens’ defensive coordinator. He has done well in Cincinnati, but has yet to win a playoff game there. And you may want the Bengals to carry the flag of the AFC North and prove the strength of the division.
Against: Because they’re AFC North division rivals and knocked the Ravens out of the playoffs.

Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
For: Head Coach Chuck Pagano used to be the Ravens’ defensive coordinator. He overcame cancer. He rooted for the Ravens to win it all last year.
Against: Because Indianapolis stole Baltimore’s team and you could never root for those Colts.

Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)
For: They’re the Cinderella of the tournament, bouncing back after a 2-14 record last year to one of the league’s top units this season.
Against: Because you don’t like Head Coach Andy Reid's moustache?

San Diego Chargers (8-8)
For: They beat out the Steelers for the last playoff spot.
Against: They beat out the Ravens for the last playoff spot.

NFC

Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
For: They play good defense (like Baltimore) and CenturyLink Field gets rocking (like Baltimore).
Against: Trash-talking cornerback Richard Sherman.

Carolina Panthers (12-4)
For: They’re the new kids on the block, and have had a pretty magical season. This will be their first playoffs trip since 2008 and fifth in franchise history.
Against: Quarterback Cam Newton's Superman celebration rubs you the wrong way.

Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
For: You like Chip Kelly’s fast-paced offense.
Against: You don’t like Eagles fans.

Green Bay Packers (8-7-1)
For: You like the discount double check.
Against: They ruined your day on Oct. 13 when they beat the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.

San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
For: You love the Harbaughs.
Against: You don’t want Jim tying John in Lombardis. Or you still want superiority after beating them in Super Bowl XLVII.

New Orleans Saints (11-5)
For: You had a great time on Bourbon Street 11 months ago.
Against: The city’s power problems almost cost the Ravens a Super Bowl.