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On the other hand, it's possible I'm a Giants fan. The big guys can
surprise you. You expect them to be bad, they start off that way, and
bang! suddenly they win the Super Bowl. 

What are the features that cause western chess to favor white a bit? I
propose 2 reasons. First, the board is [very] small. Edge effects alone
cripple the knight and bishop on an 8x8 board. Whoever can grab more
maneuvering room is favored here, especially considering the nature of the
western chesspieces. And 1 square on an 8x8 is almost 2% of the entire
board. It's not surprising that the one who moves first gains a slight
advantage. [Given the geometries involved, it would be more surprising if
that didn't happen.] Second, the pawn is a directional piece on a small
board. Every pawn move made is irrevocable. And the pawns must move
directly toward danger, on this small board. After one or two moves, the
pawn has a high chance of being captured. Limited mobility, instant
contact with the enemy, these 2 things favor the first to move. [Wonder
what a pawns only game would play like? Set them up on the 2nd and 7th
rows, use double first move and en passant, allow queening, and see who
wins by eliminating the other side. Or force 1st promotion to king, then
allow non-king promos after.]