Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates his catch in the red zone to set up a game winning touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 26-20 in overtime. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

For the first time in what seems like forever, but was really just three years, the Seahawks' season is ending in January instead of February. So now that 12s are faced with a Seattle-less Super Bowl, what to do for the big game? Who to pull for of the remaining four teams?



We posed that question to our Facebook readers and there was a pretty clear favorite: The Arizona Cardinals.

Our NFC West rivals garnered 43 percent of the vote, while old AFC West rival and Super Bowl XLVIII opponent Denver got 27 percent.

On the other hand, there was clear disdain for the New England Patriots, who only got 4 percent -- and even that probably just from people erroneously clicking the wrong button. (But we're not bitter!!)

And the team that just vanquished the Seahawks - the Carolina Panthers, only got 8 percent. (But we're not bitter!!)

(And then 17 percent chose our "none of the above" option of "When do the Mariners begin?")

In looking through the nearly 500 comments on the poll, there are some very clear themes that 12s are feeling about the remaining Final Four:

1) Veteran Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, well regarded in the league and among fans as a nice guy, is the popular choice among 12s to get a Super Bowl Ring:

"Cardinals, only because I think Fitz deserves a title. The guy is a class act. Wish he was on the Seahawks," one wrote.

"Cardinals. They are in our division, and Fitzgerald, and Palmer deserve a shot at the Superbowl! Mad respect for their team. Go Hawks, Good luck Cardinals! Show them we have the toughest division in the league."

"The Cards, for two reasons: They represent the west. Also, Fitzgerald is a class act, one of the best in the game, and he deserves it. Hawks will be back next year!"

"Arizona, because if there is a guy deserving of a championship it's Larry Fitzgerald."

2) Denver gets some votes based on respect for Peyton Manning and the fact that it would mean the Patriots can't win.

"I only cheer for the Hawks but Peyton Manning has my respect....and would love to see him knock the Pats out!"

"I pick Peyton Manning. Wouldn't it truly be "fantasy football" if the final win of his career is Super Bowl 50? He could ride off into the sunset and we fans would at least have some well-deserved history to celebrate ... except I don't know that I want to endure next season with the Broncos as "world champs"! #GoHawks"

3) I suspect Carolina might have had more popularity if their quarterback Cam Newton hadn't so publicly disgraced a '12' flag following their victory against the Seahawks Sunday.

"It's not a matter of who I'll be cheering for. It's who I don't want to see in the Super Bowl. I am supremely disappointed with Cam Newton's display of poor sportsmanship yesterday. My 9 year old saw and knew it and pointed it out."

"Cam Newton is a classless disgrace and has a long way to go in his growth."

"I will pull for anyone that can beat that classless Cam Newton. It's too bad he can't act like a professional or like an adult."



Though there were a few who thought it should be the team that bested the Seahawks, or that they're the last hope to vanquish the Patriots.

"The Panthers, because of they make it to the Super Bowl and win then we know we were defeated by the best!"

"The Panthers, because they are the only ones left that can keep the Patriots from winning the Super Bowl"



4) I think it's pretty obvious why the Patriots ranked so low. I get the sense Steve Largent could be starting at WR and Seahawks nation would still be rooting for the other team.

"I will go for anyone who plays against the patriots.... Other than that.. until next season. GO HAWKS!!"



And a very vocal group about the Super Bowl is dead to them this year:



"None of the above. I'll wait for 33 weeks for the Seahawks 2016 season to start."

Guess you can always watch the fancy Super Bowl commercials online after the game?

Hope you can all find a way to still enjoy the game, and maybe next year we'll all be back to hyperventilating over the outcome, and if we're really lucky, practicing our non-jaywalking celebration routines!







