This one goes out to all the people who don't watch all year and then, suddenly, you are on your buddies couch eating chicken wings and one too many beers.....
Photo by: Kirby Lee/USA Today
Obviously if you are a regular reader of my sports blog I am not really talking about you. Unless you are truly just a great friend (thank you!) you wouldn't take the time to scroll through a sports blog about the Super Bowl. But this is the post you have been waiting for. The one that will help you really understand who to root for, without following 7 year old Greg to the school library and checking out books on football plays and the history of the Miami Dolphins. This one isn't about the numbers, it's about the fun of it! Which is really why the Super Bowl is the #1 television broadcast year after year in the first place. But what are you looking out for this year?
Who is even playing?
I mean, we are going to start with at least a little football. Deal with me for a minute. You've got the Cincinnati Bengals taking on the Los Angles Rams and if you love a great little guy sticking it to the man story, you'll love both teams. Kind of.
The Rams went against everything everyone thinks they know about "How to Build an NFL Team" (one of those library books I would have checked out) and traded away nearly all of their major draft picks. They brought in guys from around the league like Odell Beckham Jr., Matthew Stafford, Von Miller, and others who all have been great talents but just hadn't been the same recently. And in the NFL most franchises choose longevity, can we do the same thing in 5 years as we are today. But this is L.A baby and the Rams don't care, they want a championship and they want it as soon as possible. Live today, forsake tomorrow, viva la revolution! And it might have actually worked! One game away, and if you like rooting for winners or the Yankees this is your team.
The Bengals on the other hand checked out that library book and never returned it. One of the youngest teams in the league in one of the NFL's smaller markets, Cincinnati has been built through the draft and are lead by one of the best QB-WR duos in the league in Joe Burrow and Jammar Chase. But they really aren't supposed to be here. This team feels about a year or two early to the party, but where the Rams are all in this year, the Bengals look to be in this for the long haul. And it doesn't hurt that Burrow is just so damn charismatic!
Greg, WE DON'T CARE! What's to eat? Want a beer?
Listen, this is sports blog. I had to start with sports. But you are right, most people don't go to the Super Bowl parties to watch the game. It's just another party that we pay more attention to the T.V. than normal. But when you go to load up your plate on the next round of chicken wings (hot w/ranch please) and you run into someone who wants to talk about the game, what's something you can say to really make it sound like you pay attention to this stuff? No worries, I've got you covered:
1. "(Insert Rams players name) sure looks better now that they play for the Rams." Like I said before, so many of these guys got traded here you are pretty safe saying almost any name on the team. And even the guys not traded for weren't great in college. I promise. That other person will agree too.
2. "Wow, home team in the Super Bowl huh?" Yeah, the game is in L.A. and the Rams become the second team in a row to do that. It never happened before last year. It's crazy!
3. "Man, Burrow really owes UCF for that hit. Changed his game." This will get you a "Hell yeah it did!" from UCF fans or a "F&#k UCF" from everyone else. It's fun to do. Trust me. You won't regret it.
WHY ARE YOU STILL TALKING! You never said what beer...
It's the Super Bowl, you don't need a fancy beer. What's more American that an ice cold Budweiser, chicken wings, the Super Bowl, and some gambling..... Everyone bets on the Super Bowl. And it's not just on who wins, you can bet on almost anything. From who wins the coin flip to what color the Gatorade bath will be at the end. Here are a few of my favorites:
1. Gatorade Bath Color - Most sites will give you a few options and it's hard to even guess. Last year's winning team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, usually wear red and the Gatorade color was blue.
2. Coin Toss - Literally the most 50/50 a bet will get for the Super Bowl. Easy enough to get right or wrong.
3. Halftime Show - With all the artists participating this one could get a little hazy....a little sticky....so many options. Most people will bet on the time of this one though. I think I will bet on Snoop firin' one up.
4. Non-QB Passing TD - My personal favorite, this one has long odds and can make you some money. And with OBJ on the Rams having thrown quite a few passes already this season, I think this one could be like free money.
You lied... I can't trust you anymore Greg...
That's fair. But remember, this is one of my favorite moments in the sports year. All the little bit of stuff I shared with you here, I hope you can use to enjoy the game just a little bit more. Besides, this is a sports blog anyways! It's not like I was going to give you my buffalo chicken dip recipe.
I hope you had fun reading this weeks blog. If you did, please subscribe below to receive updates on when new posts are available. Also, follow @MySportsFlorida on social media for up to the minute reactions on Twitter and Instagram.
All right fine.....
Ingredients
8 ounces cream cheese
10 ounces shredded chicken or canned chicken
1/2 cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Microwave the cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl for 20 seconds or until it is soft enough to stir.
Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl, and stir until combined, breaking up the chicken as you stir.
Transfer the mixture to an ovenproof dish and bake until bubbly, about 25 minutes.
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