Cat Crave
FanSided

Panthers fan guide to Super Bowl LII

By Brandon Scott

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 31: A general view of US Bank Stadium on January 31, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Super Bowl LII will be played between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles on February 4. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 31: A general view of US Bank Stadium on January 31, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Super Bowl LII will be played between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles on February 4. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

In a Super Bowl minus the Carolina Panthers, how do fans decide which team to support in the big game…

The Carolina Panthers enjoyed a rebound season this year following a six win let down after their own Super Bowl appearance. Expectations were high for the Panthers and although they failed to win the division, earned a wild-card berth with 11 regular season wins.

After being eliminated in the first round to divisional rival New Orleans, Panthers fans were faced with choosing loyalty to the NFC South or pulling against their rivals. Not too difficult of a decision for most, as many Carolina fans rejoiced with Minnesota as Stefon Diggs launched his helmet into the air after scoring the game winning touchdown over the Saints one week later.

Atlanta had gone down earlier to this year’s NFC representative, the Philadelphia Eagles. Following the 28-3 let down from the Falcons one year ago, seeing them eliminated again to remain with the Panthers as two teams from the NFC South without a world championship also felt pretty good.

Now, Panthers fans must choose between the New England Patriots and Eagles, both of whom faced Carolina this season. The Panthers shocked New England in Foxboro with a 33-30 win over quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick’s team. Later in the year, Philadelphia would leave Bank of America Stadium with a win after handing the Panthers a 28-23 loss in front of a national audience on Thursday night.

The Patriots are appearing in their tenth Super Bowl and third in the last four years. Every team strives to emulate their success and their confidence is seen as arrogance from those who don’t support New England. However, if the Panthers or any team of which you’re a fan had the same track record it’s hard to argue against feeling the same way.

More from Cat Crave

Philadelphia has been to the big game twice before, losing both. An unfortunate but familiar feeling for fans of the Panthers. However, the Eagles were in existence for 84 years and played 62 seasons before Carolina came into the league. Three times they won NFL titles in 1948, 1949 and 1960 but never the Super Bowl.

Their overall struggle has been rough considering they hail from a city known for its sports passion and championships. Every other major sports team in Philadelphia has hoisted their current respective trophies at the end of a year, the 76ers (NBA), Flyers (NHL) and Phillies (MLB) all have won their respective world championships but not the Eagles.

Carolina remains one of 12 or 13 teams, depending on if you count the Chargers together in both San Diego and Los Angeles, not to win the Super Bowl. A Philadelphia win on Sunday lessens that number but a Patriots win gives them back-to-back titles for the second time and sixth overall championship.

Next: First Order of Business for New Owner

Essentially, there is no easy decision for Panthers fans as many will likely be split in their support for either. Let’s just hope to be entertained by all three phases on Sunday – commercials, halftime and the football.

Home/Carolina Panthers News