4 reasons Super Bowl parties are so much better when the Panthers aren’t playing

Ah, the Super Bowl. That special time of year when I end up on someone’s couch surrounded by football enthusiasts all jittery with Americanized excitement, sloshing beer and gazing joyfully at the TV screen for hours while I feel … nothing.

Yet here I am again, ensnared by an invitation to a viewing party on Super Bowl Sunday for, according to the charming Facebook invitation, FIVE HOURS. Five.

But with the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons facing off, and the Carolina Panthers tucked away from the field until next season, I have hope that this party will be more enjoyable than last year’s. There are at least four reasons Super Bowl parties are so much better when the Panthers aren’t playing:

(1) I can carry on an actual conversation with the audience members.

As in, my friends. Except for the odd Falcons or Patriots fan, this group of Panthers supporters will be more subdued. They will care less about the outcome of the game, whilst I still will not care one bit.

Politics, anyone?

(2) There’s no dress code.

Since I don’t own any Panthers paraphernalia, I tend to stick out like an ogre in a meadow at Carolina-themed parties. I don’t even have a scarf with the proper shade of blue. It’s supposed to be 49 degrees and drizzling on Sunday, so I’m thinking sweaters will be in style.

(3) The emphasis can turn to food and drink.

With the Panthers settled for the season, we can drop all the Pinterest snacks blazing with unnatural blue dye. We can let go of the blue Panther punch, the blue Jell-O shots, the blue Rice Krispie Treats.

Time to get crafty with Charlotte-beer-based snacks (think Super Bowl Sriracha-Stout Chex Mix), or Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese. I will probably make hummus and bring a bottle of wine.

(4) The mood is so much brighter.

I was in San Francisco for the big game last year and watched the Panthers lose — in a huge crowd of Panthers fans organized by BREWPUBLIK and the Roaring Riot. While I was grateful to be invited, it just left me with me one feeling: Depression.

The night that began with screams of elation (like, when Jerricho Cotchery caught a pass, and when the sportscasters replayed the catching of the pass, and such) flopped in tears of misery. Human adults cried. I just sat there.

As for this year, it’s just another party.

This story was originally published January 31, 2017 at 8:00 PM with the headline "4 reasons Super Bowl parties are so much better when the Panthers aren’t playing."