Maybe you've seen this Spin tournament on the fiercest mascots in the NFL. Maybe you've noticed one of the overwhelming trends from the first two rounds: D.C. and Baltimore beltway-dwelling mascots faring far better than their seeding would suggest.

The thoroughly non-threatening Poe from Baltimore, a 16 seed, upset the Chargers' Boltman in the first round, and just today toppled Pittsburgh's Steely McBeam to surge into the AFC semifinals. Here's how fierce he is; the team Web site describes him as "chubby, lazy, but undeniably lovable."

Meantime, the legendary, if a bit up-in-years Chief Zee, meantime, pounded San Fran's Sourdough Sam in the first round, and just today soared past top-seeded Lions mascot Roary to enter the NFC semifinals. Eight mascots remain; three are from this general area, if you include Philly's Swoop.

So....a Poe vs. Chief Zee final? A veteran black man dressed like a Native American against a newcoming bird inspired by a 19th century poet? More likely than a Ravens-Redskins Super Bowl, anyhow.

By Dan Steinberg  |  June 17, 2008; 12:59 PM ET
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