Battle for Supremacy: Who Are the Most Loyal Fans in the NFC North?

There's nothing more important in sports than feeling superior to another team, player or group of fans.

Whether your a Peyton Manning fan constantly looking down your nose at Eli, or a Green Bay Packers fan that ultimately thinks Aaron Rodgers is better than Jay Cutler, feeling superior comes as second nature to sports fans, and it's something that we all enjoy.

With tough divisions all throughout the NFL, it's easy to get lost in the hype of "Are Dallas really better than Philadelphia?" or "Can New Orleans once again topple Atlanta in the NFC South?"  Yes, those are all valid points, but the NFC North is a four way battle for supremacy, and quite frankly, it's never going to ease up.

Green Bay, Chicago, Detroit and Minnesota.  All four are sworn enemies of one team or another, and there sure as hell isn't much mutual respect to be shared between the four.

However, aside from the teams themselves, it's the fans that wear their hearts on their sleeve when it comes to defending their respected teams, and instead of taking a laid back approach, either one of the four fan groups believe that they are indeed the most loyal fans in the NFC North.

But who does the honor really belong to?  Well it's tough to say, but it is an argument that needs an answer, as this debate has gone on long enough.  Here's a look at all four teams, and the case they make toward having the most loyal fan base in the NFC North.

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are quite possibly the most criticised, joked about and talked about team in the league.  0-16 in 2008, and a long list of draft busts and quarterback failures, Detroit makes it easy for many fans to criticise and laugh at when it comes to putting Detroit faithfuls under the microscope.

However, the Lions fans themselves tend to be a classy bunch for the most part.  I think I speak for everyone in saying, if you are willing to pay to see a team completely embarrass themselves on the field, then you are definitely a loyal fan.

When I think of the Detroit Lions, I think of two things.  0-16 and Matt Millen.  Maybe it's due to Detroit's lack of wins in the past ten or so years, but their inconsistent play but great fan base still leaves me no choice but to respect the city of Detroit.

Maybe one day Detroit will be the Barry Sanders team of old that had every fan watching on any given Sunday, but my guess is as good as yours when it comes to predicting when that eventful day might just happen.  Hopefully though, it is in the near future.

Green Bay Packers

I can narrow this argument down to two words.  Lambeau Field.  It's rocking all year round, there's never an empty seat in the house, and when the "Go Pack Go!" chant goes up it damn sure grabs your attention.

When you think of the Packers, you think of a rich history.  Vince Lombardi, Ray Nitschke and Brett Favre just to name a few, make up not only the Packers team, but also their fan base as well.

One important factor I look at when considering the Green Bay Packers for the most loyal award, is the fact that former quarterback Bart Starr often attends games, and that in itself says a lot.

For an old timer such as Starr to show up at a loud and often hostile stadium, proves to everyone that the Green Bay blood runs through each and every player that has put on the green and gold.

Aside from players though, it is also the tradition that comes with the Green Bay Packers.  The bikini girls, the cheese-heads and the picture perfect signs of "This is Rodgers neighbourhood" that flow through the stands season in and season out.  

Yes, Green Bay has had it's share or worries, but has it affected the Packer fans' passion?  God no.  If anything, it makes them more loud, more excited and more ready for the next best thing.  Sold out for 40 years, the Green Bay Packers are the team for every small town American.

Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota wouldn't have been mentioned in this argument ten years ago, but since the arrival of Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, Brad Childress and Percy Harvin, the Vikings fan base has taken off like a rocket launching into outer space. 

For those out there that criticise the Metrodome, I'd agree with you.  That stadium is dull, lousy and downright depressing to see.  But it does have an atmosphere to it, and aside from the loud and sometimes annoying Viking horn that echoes through the stands, the sea of purple is a sight to behold.

More importantly however, it's the fans of the Vikings that have become an important factor in this argument.

Years ago, the Vikings fan base was strong with Fran Tarkenton leading the way as a more than impressive quarterback, but compared to today's numbers, it's nowhere near as impressive. 

Although I don't have to remind you all that Brett Favre is a Viking, it's important to realise that he draws a crowd nearly everywhere he goes.  In Minnesota, he has not only drawn the crowds, but he has amped up a rivalry with the Green Bay Packers that  is set to last decades.

For now it's Brett Favre vs. Green Bay, and as a Packer fan myself, I can't help but love it.

Chicago Bears

Last but not least, we have the Bears.

The historic, defensive powerhouse type team that has become famous for it's prolific play and highlight reel material over the years.  Unfortunately for Chicago, the Bears recent antics on the football field has let them down, and quite frankly the crowd just isn't what it used to be.

With that said, it doesn't take away from the impressive numbers that show up to Soldier Field each and every week to see their beloved Bears try and pull off a win against the biggest or smallest of teams.

In present times, things look positive for Chicago.  Due to Julius Peppers' recent signing, numbers are guaranteed to increase for the Bears fan base, and if Jay Cutler gets his throwing arm going, it will continue to skyrocket.

Like I mentioned earlier with Minnesota though, the Bears don't have that rivalry they once had with Green Bay.  Respect is now felt between the two teams, and although you'll see a few curse words thrown between the fans of both, not very often are Bears vs. Packer games quite as hostile as they used to be.

In the future things may heat up again, but for now the Bears are going to have to take a backseat to Minnesota and Green Bay.  A sour taste for Chicago fans to swallow, but one that just simply can't top Brett Favre.

Conclusion

So with all this said, who has the most loyal fan base in the NFC North?  Well I'll give you the easy, but controversial rankings.

1. Green Bay Packers

2. Detroit Lions

3. Chicago Bears

4. Minnesota Vikings

When I look at the most loyal fan base, I look at who sells out stadiums year in and year out, something Green Bay can't be beat on.

Detroit are lucky to half fill Ford Field, but yet they continue to support their team through thick and thin.

Chicago is a historic fan base that will always remain that way, and Minnesota are on the verge of taking the third or possibly second spot.

However, Green Bay are still the winners.

Maybe even the most loyal fan base in the league, Packer fans can't be beat on spirit and commitment.  As long as the NFC North is around, it will be a Fatal Four way for who can come out on top.  Right now, Green Bay have the strength in numbers.