The curious naming contest adding spice to the Super Bowl finale: which ‘team’ are you siding with because of it?

The NFL has a long tradition of inventing accidental storylines. This year’s playoff run has delivered a particularly random one, just in time for the Super Bowl build-up: the conference finals have turned into an informal naming contest.

Welcome to Team Mike vs Team Sean

In the AFC Championship, it’s Mike Vrabel’s Patriots against Sean Payton’s Broncos. In the NFC, Mike Macdonald’s Seahawks host Sean McVay’s Rams. Two Mikes. Two Seans. All dreaming of Vince Lombardi.

That’s why the league’s official social media account jumped in with “Team Mike or Team Sean?” and why replies instantly split down those lines. “Mike sweep incoming.” “Sean vs Sean Super Bowl.” “Mike Bowl confirmed.”

Does it mean anything? Not really. Is it overly obvious? For most, yes. But, for those of us looking for the lighter side of the game away from stats, injuries and the comings and goings through the Human Resource department, it fills the dead zone.

There are, though, some curious contrasts to the pairs away from just the names. The Mikes skew hard-edged: Vrabel’s throwback Patriots and Macdonald’s defense-first Seahawks. The Seans are the offensively branded stars: Payton’s reputation-heavy Broncos and McVay’s perennially stylish Rams. There’s also the age balance. But for some of you out there, it sounds like you don’t need to study All-22 to pick a side. You just pick a name and roll with it.

None of this, of course, will decide a third-down call or fix a quarterback injury. But it gives neutral fans a hook – especially those that share the name or know someone else who does – which the NFL always loves.

By the time Super Bowl LX kicks off in Santa Clara, we can guarantee that either a Mike or a Sean will be holding the Lombardi. My guess, though, would be that there will be no headlines pointing it out.

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