When it comes to the NFL and the new season starting, most viewers are tuned in on Sunday, Monday, or Thursday to watch their favorite teams play against their opponents, hoping that they can secure a win.
The NFL is split into 2 main divisions the NFC and the AFC, which is also looked at like a compass rose. The NFC and AFC are full of heavy-hitting teams that each individually have 16 teams per division.
According to NFL.com, the teams in the NFC are the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and the San Francisco 49ers. For the AFC teams, you have the Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and last but not least, the Tennessee Titans.
The National Football League kicked off the start of the season with The Kansas City Chiefs defeating the Baltimore Ravens with a score of 27-20 in Kansas City. Now that the season has officially started, viewers have begun to form opinions about their favorite teams and players just like sophomore and Eagle Elite Drill Team member Chloe Aguirre.
“My favorite NFL team would have to be the Chiefs because they are a very competitive and talented team who works together and accomplishes many goals,” Aguirre stated. “The chiefs have had more attention this past year and the other teams don’t really get noticed like that.”
Everyone forms their own opinion about each team, but when it comes to America’s favorite team it’s the Dallas Cowboys. According to en.as.com, ‘the Cowboys earned the nickname ‘America’s Team’ in 1978 due to Bob Ryan, who is now the editor-in-chief of NFL films, coining the moniker while preparing the highlight reels stating “I saw all these fans in away stadiums. Hey, they’re the most popular team in the country.” Sophomore Zauria Hill believes that different teams offer a community, fueling football’s popularity.
“I think a lot of people are interested in watching football, probably because of, I would say, the pull of having their own team, like how we have the Dallas Cowboys, that of having their own teams that they represent in the NFL world. So I think that is it.” Hill stated.
The Dallas Cowboys have always been ‘America’s Team’ but in recent years, the team with the most eyes has been The Kansas City Chiefs. Over the past few years, the Chiefs have had a few remarkable years with going to the Superbowl in 2020, 2023, and 2024 in February, but this isn’t the only reason.
Back in September of 2023, singer and songwriter Taylor Swift made her first appearance at a Chiefs game to cheer on her now-boyfriend tight-end Travis Kelce. Ever since they started dating, more attention has been brought to the Chiefs, and viewers speculate that she is the reason why they have been performing the way that they are right now. Business and Digital Media Teacher Jessica Tyler stated her own opinion on how she thinks Taylor Swift impacts their game.
“I do not think that she has a major impact on the way that the Chiefs play. I think that their game on the field would continue even if they weren’t dating. I feel as if it brought a lot more like notarization to the Chiefs because of her, for example, when we were watching the Chiefs play the other night, they would pan to her on the TV a lot, even if Travis Kelce didn’t have anything to do with the play. So I think she’s just kind of opened the eyes of her fans to football who might have not known football before,” Tyler stated.
ESPN.com reports that NFL regular season games averaged 17.9 million viewers, making them tied for the second-highest since the averages were tracked in 1995. SBU.com also reported that about 72% of Americans say that they are football fans. Because of the sports popularity, many Americans consider themselves football fans, Tyler emphasized her thoughts.
“My dad played football, and so it was one of those things that he always threw the football around us. And you know, way back when I grew up, you had one or two TVs in the house, and so we watched a lot, and he didn’t have any sons, so who did he explain it too? Us!” Tyler stated.
Now that football season has officially kicked off, teams are putting on their best performances and routines, so that they can make it to playoffs and then work their way up to February 9, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana for the 59th Superbowl. The NFL is one of the top-grossing sports to watch, and as the games progress, the more views it will get. Many fans are eagerly watching to see where their favorite teams end up.