49ers fans’ rooting guide for Super Bowl LIII between Rams, Patriots
By Peter Panacy
San Francisco 49ers fans are likely to be pretty torn between the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII. Here’s why you should root for and against each team.
Well, San Francisco 49ers fans are probably pretty upset neither the Kansas City Chiefs nor New Orleans Saints will be representing their respective conferences in Super Bowl LIII.
Instead, you’re going to be treated to the 49ers’ NFC West divisional rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, and the same old story with the New England Patriots, who are back in the Super Bowl for the third consecutive year.
Honestly, it wouldn’t be a shock if you have zero interest in either team. But you’ll watch, because you will. That’s just how it goes.
Yet if you’re having trouble deciding which team to root for this Super Bowl, Niner Noise is here to help.
Or at least try.
Los Angeles Rams
Why You Should Root for the Rams
Let the divisional rivalry go for a second. This isn’t the hated Seattle Seahawks, after all. Rooting for L.A. has its merits. For starters, head coach Sean McVay is a part of Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan’s coaching tree. That always increases a coach’s stock value, and McVay’s efforts have been exemplary over the past two years.
The Rams haven’t been in the Super Bowl since 2001 and last won back in 1999 when they were in St. Louis.
It’s time for a new story in the NFL. While the Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes would have been an excellent one, too, at least L.A. would be something vastly different than New England.
Why You Shouldn’t Root for the Rams
Well, the rivalry. Earlier this decade, the 49ers and Seahawks were the rivalry to watch. Before that, most Niners fans couldn’t care less about Seattle. But that could easily change with a Rams victory in Super Bowl LII.
Plus, there’s the geographical rivalry that already exists between Northern and Southern California. Are San Francisco fans prepared for at least a full year of SoCal fans rubbing a would-be Rams win in 49ers fans’ faces?
No. Not at all.
New England Patriots
Why You Should Root for the Patriots
Love him or hate him, but Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is still doing things we’ve never seen before and likely won’t see again. At least not for a long, long time.
Yes, another Super Bowl win would give the Pats one more championship over the Niners’ five, putting San Francisco in third place behind New England and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who’d both have six. But the Patriots’ current dynasty will come to an end sooner rather than later, so we might as well enjoy it while it lasts.
Plus, if you think the Rams got in by the way of a fluke non-call on cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman, what better thing to hope for than another New England championship.
Heck, the Boston Red Sox just did it to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, too.
Why You Shouldn’t Root for the Patriots
Well, it’s overplayed. And again. Watching Brady celebrate the overtime victory over the Chiefs was nearly sickening. It’s almost proof there’s no such thing as fairness, according to the sports gods. Unless you’re a Pats fan, you’re tired of seeing this same old show over and over again.
There’s more than that, though.
The 49ers and Patriots are tied with five Super Bowl championships. While first is best, would you rather be in second or third place? Yeah, thought so.
Plus, hearing all that chatter from New England calling itself an “underdog” is about as hollow as it gets.
And wouldn’t you rather see Brady look like this after the game?
Sure you would.
Next. Ranking 49ers' 5 best Super Bowl performances in franchise history. dark
Super Bowl LIII kicks off on Sunday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. ET.