New Survey Reveals Which Super Bowl LIX Finalist is Most Hated by Lions Fans
Super Bowl LIX is almost here, and while Detroit Lions fans won’t be cheering for their own team in the big game, they certainly have strong opinions about the two finalists. A new survey conducted among Lions fans reveals which of the two Super Bowl contenders is the most despised, offering insight into the frustrations and rivalries that have shaped Detroit’s football culture.
In a season full of hope and progress, Lions fans are eager to voice their thoughts on which team represents everything they feel stands in the way of their beloved franchise. While both finalists have enjoyed success in recent years, it’s clear that one has earned the title of “most hated” among Detroit’s fanbase.
The Results: A Divisive Final Showdown
The survey, conducted on various fan forums, social media platforms, and sports talk shows, asked Lions fans to pick which of the two Super Bowl LIX contenders they disliked the most. The results came in loud and clear: the Kansas City Chiefs are the most hated.
While the Philadelphia Eagles earned a decent share of votes, it was the Chiefs who topped the survey by a wide margin. With 65% of the vote, the Chiefs were seen as the biggest thorn in the side of Lions fans—many of whom have watched Kansas City’s dominance in the league, especially with Patrick Mahomes at the helm, with a mixture of envy and frustration.
Why the Kansas City Chiefs?
There are several reasons why the Chiefs are viewed as the most disliked team by Lions fans.
1. Recent Success and Elitism:
The Chiefs have been a perennial powerhouse in the NFL in recent years, making multiple Super Bowl appearances and winning two championships in the past five seasons. Mahomes, widely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks of his generation, has led Kansas City to dominance, making the team a constant contender. For Lions fans, this success only magnifies the feeling of being left behind. The Chiefs’ continued excellence stands in stark contrast to the Lions’ struggles, including decades of playoff droughts and failed seasons.
“As a Lions fan, it’s frustrating to watch a team like the Chiefs just keep winning,” says one Detroit fan. “I respect Mahomes, but it feels like the NFL is handing them everything. Meanwhile, we can’t even get a playoff win.”
2. History of Heartbreaking Losses:
The Chiefs and the Lions have had their share of history over the years, and much of it hasn’t been kind to Detroit. In the 2003 season, the Chiefs handed the Lions a crushing 45-17 defeat. Over the years, whenever Detroit has been on the verge of breaking through or securing a key victory, Kansas City has often been the team to stand in their way. For Lions fans, seeing the Chiefs win year after year only highlights the “what ifs” of their own team’s failures.
3. Super Bowl Heartbreaks:
The Chiefs’ two most recent Super Bowl wins—one in 2020 and another in 2023—serve as painful reminders for Lions fans of what could have been. Detroit has never won a Super Bowl, and the Chiefs’ success feels like a slap in the face. The constant reminder that Kansas City has reached the top of the NFL mountain multiple times only intensifies the jealousy that many Lions fans feel toward them.
“It’s like the Chiefs are living the dream we’ve had for years,” says another fan. “They’ve had their Super Bowl moments, and we can barely get a playoff win. It stings.”
4. The Mahomes Factor:
While most fans respect the talents of Patrick Mahomes, his growing legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history doesn’t sit well with Lions fans. It’s hard for Detroit supporters to watch Mahomes make plays that seem impossible, all while their own team is trying to find a consistent leader at quarterback. The Mahomes hype only adds to the resentment that many Lions fans feel toward the Chiefs, as it’s a constant reminder of how much their team has yet to achieve.
5. The NFL Media’s Favorite:
Kansas City’s success, combined with Mahomes’ marketability, has made the Chiefs the darling of NFL media. For Lions fans, this constant coverage and praise only fuels their dislike. The Chiefs are often portrayed as the NFL’s “golden child,” and while many fans outside of Detroit admire their style of play, Lions fans can’t help but feel like their team is being overshadowed.
“The media always talks about how amazing Mahomes is, and the Chiefs are the team everyone’s rooting for,” says one Lions fan. “It’s hard to watch, knowing that we’ve been stuck in the same old cycle while they’re on top of the world.”
The Philadelphia Eagles: A Close Second
While the Chiefs may have taken the crown, the Philadelphia Eagles were not far behind. With 35% of the vote, the Eagles still have their fair share of detractors in Detroit. Many Lions fans have pointed to Philadelphia’s recent success, including their Super Bowl victory in 2018, as a reminder of how the Eagles were able to break through while Detroit has languished.
The Eagles also have a reputation for being one of the NFC’s top teams year after year, making them another symbol of the success that has eluded the Lions. However, the Eagles’ placement as the second-most disliked team can be attributed to a few specific reasons:
1. Division Rivalries:
Though the Lions and Eagles don’t meet in the same division, their meetings on the field have occasionally brought out competitive tensions. The Lions’ struggles against NFC East teams, including the Eagles, has contributed to some frustration among fans. Watching the Eagles succeed while the Lions have been stuck in the NFC North’s shadow is a source of annoyance.
2. The Super Bowl Victory:
Philadelphia’s Super Bowl LII victory against the New England Patriots is still fresh in many fans’ minds. The Eagles’ victory was a dramatic one, and for Lions fans who have never tasted such success, it felt like another reminder of the gulf between their team and the league’s top-tier franchises.
A Strong Future Ahead
Despite their resentment toward the Chiefs and Eagles, Lions fans remain hopeful for the future. With the team’s continued development, particularly with quarterback Jared Goff and emerging stars like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Aidan Hutchinson, Lions fans believe their time will come soon.
As they watch the Super Bowl LIX matchup unfold, it’s likely that many Lions fans will cheer for whichever team they feel offers them the best chance of motivation to reach the same heights. It’s not about hate—it’s about longing for that elusive taste of championship glory that their own team has yet to experience.
But for now, at least they have each other—and the hope that next year, they’ll be on the other side of the rivalry, with the Detroit Lions in the spotlight. Until then, they’ll continue to watch the Chiefs and Eagles battle it out with a mixture of frustration, envy, and, most of all, hope.