The Man Cave Buying Guide for Every NFL Fan

Sorry ladies, but football is a man's game. OK, so that may be a bit sexist, and I know there are a lot of exceptions to this rule. But generally, it's true.

And men need someplace to watch their games. A place where they can go to relax, have a pop or two, invite some friends over and just be a guy.

A "man cave," if you will, is in order.

So what does the essential man cave contain?

Some of these are obvious and a few are meant tongue-in-cheek. In all, it's good stuff that any guy would appreciate.

So, without further ado, here is a buying guide for every NFL fan. Read, go out and purchase, and enjoy. Repeat as necessary.

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The HD Television of Course!

It all starts with the window into the NFL and that's the TV.

Sure, you can watch football on an old tube television, or a smaller screen, but it just isn't the same.

The ideal man cave TV size depends on how big your room is, but generally speaking, it should be 42" or bigger. And it must be HD, of course.

Direct TV NFL Sunday Ticket or Similar Package

You need access to more games than just what is available to you in your area if you want to fully absorb the NFL experience.

Remember, the goal is to spend all of your time watching football, and how can you do that if the only game you watch is your local team?

So go out and spend the bucks on NFL Red Zone, Sunday Ticket or whatever package you can afford and/or get in your viewing area.

It will ensure that you are a productive football viewer. And isn't that the goal?

A Fridge Stocked with All of the Essentials

Keep in mind that you are not to ever leave your man cave. So, naturally, you're going to get hungry and thirsty.

Plus, as the commercials say, it's unmanly to watch football without drinking Miller Lite.

So, stock your mini-fridge with plenty of beer and some comfort food. Wings, salsa, left-over pizza...in short, anything goes after drinking beer and watching football.

By the way, it's optional but a microwave would be very nice here.

A Bathroom

You don't want to ever leave the man cave, even for a minute. Because your wife or girlfriend may spot you and ask you to do something for her.

The nerve!

To prevent that from happening, make sure that you have a bathroom close by.

It doesn't have to be pretty, it doesn't even have to be a bathroom. It just has to be a toilet.

If you turned all or part of your basement area into your man cave, make sure you spend the extra bucks to put it in a bathroom.

Look, if you gotta go, you gotta go. Just don't go outside the man cave. Or you may never be able to get back in.

The Furniture and Ambience Are Also Important

You want your man cave to shout to the world your allegiance to your favorite team.

So, it's critical to have your favorite NFL team's logo all over your chairs and walls.

Sports team memorabilia, such as a framed autographed jersey or a football, and other assorted decorations are key.

Now, your main chair can be a comfy recliner since you are going to be spending a lot of time there. But your buddies can sit on the team chairs if they want or they can be just for decoration.

A Computer

It's important to have access to a PC or laptop in your cave. You will want to go on the internet to check scores, research stats, settle bets and arguments among friends, etc.

Don't forget, too, that you must write and/or view quality articles on Bleacher Report. (And no, I am not being paid to say that).

Even if it's just to look up pics of your favorite WAGs (because remember, your wife or girlfriend will probably disown you).

A Lock on the Door to Keep Unwanted Guests out

It is critical that only men are in a man cave, unless a gorgeous woman wants to venture in and if that happens, God help her.

That said, you need a sturdy lock on the door to prevent unwanted intrusion form the likes of wives, girlfriends, mothers, mother-in-laws and the like.

Look, they will only want to distract you from the sport you love and the down time you deserve. After all, you worked all week and should be entitled to this time devoted to the NFL.

Pool Table, Foosball, Etc.

Even while watching football, you do need to get up once in awhile to keep the blood flowing.

All that eating and drinking takes a toll on a man, so it's important to have some basic rec-room type of stuff.

Obviously, this must be to your taste, but I think a pool table is in order. Equally as essential is darts. The standard items after that are foosball, dome hockey, air hockey, ping pong, and shuffleboard.

A lot depends on how much room you have in your cave.

A Fathead or Two on the Wall

A Fathead is essential. You simply must put up a life size picture of your favorite player on the wall or you are simply not a fan of your team.

I know it costs money, so if you can't afford the real thing, a cheap imitation will have to do.

Either way, be sure to have lots of pictures plastered on your walls so you can tell the world that you are a fan of your team and of that player.

Hey, you think this stuff is free? No way. You must do your part to contribute to the NFL's coffers or your ticket prices and Direct TV package will increase.

A Good Divorce Lawyer

As I wrote in an earlier slide, if you spend your entire Sunday (and Monday night, the occasional Thursday, and so on) watching football, your significant other won't like it.

And while a blow-up doll may help you get through the cold, lonely nights, it won't replace your marriage.