San Francisco 49ers: Who Deserves to Hate Them The Most?

Jan 5, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) is tackled by Green Bay Packers cornerback Jarrett Bush (24) after catching a pass during the fourth quarter of the 2013 NFC wild card playoff football game at Lambeau Field. San Francisco won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

It’s not a secret that the San Francisco 49ers are one of the best teams in the NFL, but are they better than the Seattle Seahawks? Well, the obvious answer to this question, unfortunately for the Niners, is no. Still, as a high-powered team, the Niners have earned themselves a couple of enemies.

What was the Niners’ transformation into the worst of the bay, to the top of the NFL?

Well, when Jim Harbaugh was hired, the Niners were immediately pulled out from the slumps. They proceeded to make it all the way to the NFC Championship game in Harbaugh’s first season as well as the Super Bowl next year and the NFC Championship game this year. Before the Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl, they had made the playoffs for quite a while before actually winning it all: this is why there’s reason for the Niners to have their heads up.

What were we talking about? Oh yeah, I got lost in the amazing turnaround that occurred thanks to that hiring. Which team deserves to hate the Niners with a passion? Posed with this question, my obvious choice would be the Green Bay Packers.

Following their disappointing loss to the New York Giants 37-20 in the 2011 playoffs after a 15-1 regular season, the Packers came back strong with another phenomenal season, finishing at 11-5. Unfortunately for them, however, they were stopped by the upsurging 49ers who silenced them into a 45-31 loss and early playoff exit. What are the chances that this happens to them again, right?

Well, as luck would have it, the Packers’ showed true braveness and high mental capacity when they played in the 2013 season. Losing Aaron Rodgers, the man with the highest Career Quarterback Rating of all time, they seemed as if they may be dead in the water. But suddenly, they had the chance to make the playoffs when Rodgers returned after being sidelined for 6 games. In a weak NFC North, the Packers came ahead and won the division for the playoff spot with a meager 8-7-1 record.

Still, rules are rules and they claimed  home-field advantage in the Wild Card Game: against the 49ers, of course. What could possibly go wrong this time, though!? Home-field in the frigid tundra, something that they’re used to. Well – you see where I’m going with this.

The Niners played their hearts out and won on a field goal in the final seconds of the game, exhibiting great clock management. Despite this loss, the Packers are still one of the better teams in the NFL at full strength, and in this game, the Niners almost got more than they could handle, but were lucky to come away with the victory in the final drive.

Arguably, if not for the Niners, the Packers may have made it to the Super Bowl a couple of times and possibly won another ring. As much as it hurts Niner fans, I’m very much okay with the Packers hating the 49ers. It’s pretty justified. The Packers’ biggest obstacle in the past couple of years has been the 49ers, and they’re going to have to find a way around them. The Packers play a great game and are one of the most solid teams in the NFL, but what does that mean in the NFC, really?

So what about the mutual hatred between the fans of the Seattle Seahawks and the Niners? Sorry to pose so many questions, but I think that they may also have justified hatred. Sorry to say this, Niner fans, but the Super Bowl Championships won are little outdated. Sure, San Francisco has a much bigger and clearly better legacy, but tip your hats to the Seahawks: they’re NFL’s best team.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t hate them because every team has a rival, but I’m saying that you should show a little respect once in a while. The same goes for the Seahawks fans. These petty battles are getting a bit too heated, although interesting to watch.