Puppy Bowl XXI is the 21st anniversary of arguably the cutest pre-Super Bowl event. The "competition" each year has two teams of dogs from shelters and rescues around the world facing off in a football game. The event encourages viewers to consider adopting a dog from an animal shelter or rescue rather than a breeder.

The dogs will compete across two teams -- one named Ruff, the other one Fluff -- with the winning one taking home the coveted "Lombarky" trophy

Puppy Bowl XXI, which airs Sunday afternoon on Animal Planet and other channels (see tune-in information below), will feature 142 rescue dogs from 40 states in three hours of play. Teams Ruff and Fluff will vie for the Lombarky Trophy, their rosters including eight dogs from New Jersey.

The Super Bowl is happening this weekend, and if you also enjoy sporting events with tail-wagging, toy-tugging and miniature limbs, you can watch good boys and girls face off in the 21st Puppy Bowl. Puppy Bowl XXI will showcase 142 rescue puppies from 80 shelters -- the biggest canine cohort yet -- before the Super Bowl airs at 6:30 p.

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