Football Sunday

The sporting world is currently thriving, with events such as the World Cup capturing the attention of sports fans all around the globe. Despite the World Cup being expected to bring in 5 billion views this year, only around 28% of adult Americans say they are likely to watch the event at all. This pales in comparison to the 65% of Americans who claim they are likely to watch the Super Bowl, which is only a few months away. With the playoffs around the corner, it seems fitting to ask a few questions: which teams are having great seasons, which teams are having disappointing seasons, and why is football so popular in America in the first place?

While there is still plenty of football to be played before Super Bowl LVII (which will occur February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona), there are several teams which currently stand out as real contenders to win this year's Super Bowl . One such team is the The Philadelphia Eagles, with a physical lineup that is simply outperforming many of the other teams in its conference. They’ve built a well rounded and highly motivated team, with veteran players, rising stars, and effective coaching. Their incredible 11-1 record is the best in the league, and cements them as an undeniable contender to win it all. The Kansas City Chiefs are another premier team, with Patrick Mahomes consistently showcasing just how high caliber of a quarterback he is. Despite Mahomes providing the Chiefs with a potent offense, the team leaves much to be desired in terms of its defensive playmaking and has a tendency to allow small missteps or missed opportunities to cost them games. The Buffalo Bills have also been a highly regarded team throughout the season and, despite facing multiple injuries, they still exist as a capable team with a talented roster and an exceptional quarterback in Josh Allen. When you start considering the San Francisco 49ers and their defense which ranks #1 in the NFL; the motivated Dallas Cowboys who are hoping to recruit star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr before the playoffs in January; and the Cincinnati Bengals with star quarterback Joe Burrow seeming to be the kryptonite of the Chiefs, it becomes clear just how much still is on the table regarding which team could win it all.

While the aforementioned teams might be having extremely successful seasons, not every team is meeting the expectations of its fans. The Denver Broncos are a prime example of one such team. In acquiring QB Russell Wilson, the Broncos had hoped to have a highly competitive team. Currently, however, they have a terrible 3-9 record and one of the lowest scoring offenses of any team in a while. This has left many Bronco fans extremely disappointed with their team, and unsure of how the franchise can rebuild moving into next year. Many Bucs fans have also been disappointed with their team’s performance this season. With their 6-6 record, they simply haven’t performed at the same level as they did last year when they won the Super Bowl. While quarterback Tom Brady will always make whatever team he is playing on dangerous, many fans are still disappointed to see the Buccaneers overall mediocre thus far and question how their team will change without Brady’s leadership upon his eventual retirement. Despite the team certainly having the potential to succeed in the playoffs, their season certainly subverts what could have been.

While it might be unclear which teams will win the Super Bowl this year, it is clear that Americans are loving football just as much as ever. Miles Lopez (freshman, business) gives a glimpse into why this is the case. When asked about what he enjoys about football, he said that he values it enabling him “to spend time with [his] dad and family,” along with it being a perfect time to “eat pizza or wings.” To Miles and many other sports fans around the world, the sense of community is what really makes football enjoyable. To them, nothing beats the feeling that comes when the whole family gets together and cheers on their hometown team, regardless of how interested they as individuals are in the sport. To many, football is a tool that brings family and friends together and gives communities something to bond over. It can help form connections between coworkers and colleagues and gives college students something to chat about. It allows for people to escape their own issues and immerse themselves within an exciting and thrilling environment. While onlookers might see football as just a wild event in which 30 year-old men run around for an hour, to many it's a game with positive implications that go way beyond the 100 yards on which its players compete.