A Cinderella Story: Analyzing the NFL's Final Four Through Folklore

I'm not sure how well you know your French folklore, but the original story of Cinderella embodies the idea of triumph through unjust oppression.

We all know the story. A widower with a daughter named Cinderella marries a vain, selfish woman with two stepdaughters just as equal as her. Cinderella is taunted by her stepmother and stepsisters, oppressed through forced labor, verbally attacked with words of hatred, blah blah blah...

But then she triumphs over them. She marries the prince, inherits innumerable wealth, gets to ride in a pumpkin, and so on.

Bearing this in mind, I'd like to suggest that this year's NFL "Cinderella" is the New York Jets. And not just because I'm positive Rex Ryan would just love to ride in a pumpkin.

If you watched the Jets' past four games, you'd be almost horrified at how much fate has played a part in their success.

First, the Colts. Then the blowout against the Bengals.

Come the playoffs and they score another solid victory against Cincy. Then yesterday's upset against the San Diego Nate Kaeding's (just kidding, but that's what it felt like).

I'm not knocking any of the other teams, but the Jets' resemblance to Cinderella is just too obvious to not take notice of.

The media consistently criticizes and downplays the Jets, no matter how grandeur their victory is. And it seems like the rest of the NFL isn't taking them seriously, evidenced by the demeanor and actions of the Chargers in yesterday's game.

I don't really understand why, though.

Just like Cinderella, the Jets are the hardest working of the bunch, the prettiest of the bunch, the most in-experienced of the bunch...

But that still doesn't give them an immediate Super Bowl victory, not by a longshot.

They'll have to triumph through oppression, beat the odds, and overcome the naysayers.

An Analysis Through Cinderella

The Evil Stepmother

Indianapolis Colts

If I were to characterize this year's NFL's final four teams using Cinderella as the theme I would have to say that the Colts most resemble the vain stepmother of the group. They have the most experience, the most hubris. The Colts aren't afraid to talk smack and easily back it up with their amazing talent. They are the big mammas.

But their week 16 loss to the Jets provides an interesting backstory to how they'll play this weekend. The main question will be: will they play for revenge? Either way, I believe the Colts feel that they have something extra to prove this week to stop the Jets' newfound momentum they caused.

Evil Stepsister No. 1

New Orleans Saints

I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I truly feel that the AFC will win the Super Bowl this year, which is why I casted the two AFC teams as the main characters. With that being said, Evil Stepsister No. 1 goes to the Saints, whom I believe have the greatest chance of suiting up on February 7.

They talk the talk, but they walk the walk. I actually really enjoy watching this team play because of their electric-styled offense, but they still don't stack up to higher than a static character.

Evil Stepsister No. 2

Minnesota Vikings

Obviously this role goes to the Minnesota Vikings, whom I believe, will wrap up a great season with a loss this Sunday. Favre still shows flashes of greatness, but I still believe the rest of the team is a little overrated. The run game hasn't shown up in awhile now and the defense is still only above-average at best. Either way, we're looking at an AFC dominated SB, so this is all fluff.

Hopefully this analysis of the NFL's final four through Cinderella does not subtract points from my manliness, but I am willing to accept the consequences if it did.

Until next week, may the oppressed become triumphant, and the oppressors become undone.