The NFL regular season is complete, which means the Super Bowl is just around the corner. More importantly, of course, that means the 2017 Puppy Bowl is also just around the corner.
Puppy Bowl 2017 starting lineups are full of great dogs
The puppy bowl lineups are here!
Animal Planet
In case you are unaware of the Puppy Bowl, it is a serious sporting competition involving a lot of puppies. Here is one example of how the game goes.
With the 2017 Puppy Bowl now just weeks away, the players have finally been chosen and announced. There are two teams this year, with Team Fluff taking on Team Ruff for the Puppy Bowl championship. A total of 39 puppies cracked the starting lineup, so we decided to preview the contest by ranking the starting puppies from best to worst, based on a variety of characteristics.
The very good dogs
T1. — Alexander Hamilpup | Team Fluff
Alexander is 19 weeks old and appears to be very agile. He also looks a little bit like a raccoon, which could confuse the other pups and be an advantage.
T1. — Archimedes | Team Fluff
Archimedes is only 15 weeks old, but is an Otterhound/Lab mix. That seems like the mix of a MVP candidate.
T1. — Beebop | Team Ruff
Beebop is simply a very good dog.
T1. — Bizmark | Team Ruff
Bizmark has extremely floppy ears. Only time will tell if they will impact the game.
T1. — Blitz | Team Fluff
With a name like Blitz, we expect him to be a defensive standout.
T1. — Bo | Team Ruff
Named after Bo Jackson, probably.
T1. — Buddy Love | Team Fluff
Has arguably the best smile of any dog in Puppy Bowl history.
Animal Planet
T1. — Buttons | Team Fluff
A Pomeranian and Schnauzer mix, Buttons is extremely fluffy and on the right team.
T1. — Daisy Moses | Team Ruff
We’ll see if she can part defenses like the Red Sea.
T1. — Daphne | Team Ruff
At 19 weeks old, Daphne is one of the bigger competitors in the game. Should be a force on the offensive or defensive lines.
T1. — Dawson | Team Fluff
A 14-week-old Jack Russell Terrier, Dawson is a raw prospect, but with loads of potential.
T1. — Doobert | Team Ruff
Doobert is completely deaf and one of three special-needs puppies competing. The lack of hearing, however, should be an advantage, because he won’t be distracted by the cheering crowd like his opponents.
T1. — Foster | Team Ruff
A Burmese Mountain Dog, Foster is big and fast and put on a show at the Puppy Bowl Combine.
T1. — Hope | Team Fluff
Hope has one of the longest wingspans in the game.
T1. — Lucky | Team Fluff
Lucky is another special-needs puppy. He lost a leg in a crate accident, but is still a spry pup.
Animal Planet
T1. — Max | Team Fluff
Max is here to eat treats and kick tail, and he’s all out of treats.
T1. — Nikita | Team Fluff
Don’t let her fluffy white coat fool you. Nikita will lay you out if you try and come over the middle.
T1. — Nyquist | Team Fluff
New Jersey isn’t usually a fertile Puppy Bowl recruiting ground, but Nyquist is trying to prove not all the best prospects are from the South.
T1. - Oliver | Team Fluff
Only 12 weeks old, but fluffy beyond his years.
T1. — Panda | Team Fluff
From Puerto Rico, Panda was a top international recruit.
T1. - Parfait | Team Fluff
Delicious name, even better tackler.
T1. — Peanut | Team Fluff
With her small size and brown coat, Peanut could blend in with the playing area at times. Watch for a hidden trick play.
T1. — Precious | Team Fluff
From New York, Precious is already used to playing on the biggest stage.
T1. — Puddles | Team Ruff
While she appears small and unassuming, Puddles is from Florida and definitely has SEC speed.
T1. — Rory | Team Fluff
The James Harrison of Team Fluff. Rory has the most intimidating game face of all the puppies.
Animal Planet
T1. — Sable | Team Fluff
Demonstrates great body control on sideline catches. Always manages to get two paws down in bounds.
T1. — Slippers | Team Fluff
Will need to avoid being mistaken for a big fuzzy slipper and get stepped on during the game.
T1. — Smooshie | Team Ruff
The most offensive lineman looking dog of all time.
Animal Planet
T1. — Squirt | Team Rough
Extremely tiny, but quick and elusive in open space. Should be a real threat on kick returns and screen passes.
T1. — Stormy | Team Ruff
From the “Big Fluffy Dog Rescue” in Tennessee, but spurned Team Fluff during the recruiting process. There could be some animosity on the other sideline.
T1. — Stretch | Team Fluff
Expert at running vertical routes and taking the top off the defense.
T1. — Striker | Team Ruff
Striker may be a Miniature Pinscher and Shih Tzu mix, but he’s a ferocious one.
T1. — Sully | Team Ruff
Slid in the draft due to character concerns. That said, if he can control his bite during the game, he could be a major contributor.
T1. — Tucker | Team Fluff
Team leader. Also has some experience long-snapping and can fill in if there is an injury.
T1. — Wesley | Team Ruff
At 21 weeks old, Wesley will be counted on for his maturity in leading the team.
T1. — Wilma | Team Fluff
The Darren Sproles of the Puppy Bowl.
T1. — Winston | Team Fluff
Both sight and hearing impaired, Winston will be counted on for his excellent smelling abilities.
T1. — Winter | Team Ruff
Ironically, summer is her favorite time of the year.
T1. — Woody | Team Ruff
Considered going the JUCO route after a lack of early interest, but a late bloomer who should play a big role on Sundays.
Well, there you have it. It should be a tightly contested matchup between a lot of very good dogs.
