I won’t blame individuals when the Cowboy’s losses have been team losses. The Redskins team outplayed the Cowboy team. Romo’s interception was the result of incredible play by the Redskins’ defenses - from the pass rush to the coverage of the receiver to the pressure to score that made that throw necessary. If the Cowboy’s defense were better, that throw would not have been necessary. Good defensive players were outplayed by the Redskin’s offense.
That’s football. The NFL has 32 teams. By the end of the season all but one will be complaining about their players and coaches.
The name of the game is entertainment. This year, the Cowboys have been VERY entertaining. That’s what sells tickets, advertising, beer, nachos, cars, big screen televisions and such. And that’s what keeps people writing and talking about “their” teams.
After working in sports for over thirty years, I have a different take on the games than others. Enjoy the playoffs!
Agreed. There is another metric to the game however. Caveat, I had no interest in who won that game. The rules have become a deterrent and allows for the “changing” of a game based on dubious calls. I watch football for the “entertainment” as you have said when I have nothing else to do.
I am a true baseball fan however. Baseball, outside of an inconsistent strike zone or the occasional blown call all things are even and based on player production. The game is played without much interference and critical penalties being called (yes I know there are exceptions but they are also very castigated when they happen).
Case and point two issues I have are the interference calls and helmet leads. I always see RB’s lowering their heads and hitting a defender’s helmet head on to make yards, but they never call it and by the letter of the rules it is illegal. Let a LB or DB lead with a helmet and the flag comes out. Another is the interference. You watch offensive receivers and they are always pushing off and using their hands but almost never get called whereas the DB’s always seem to get it when the O needs to extend a drive and in the last 2 minutes. At least do away with spot of foul, make it 15 yards and auto first. A 45 yard penalty is ridiculous and a game changer.
Just like the NBA (that I stopped watching over 20 years ago) instituting the 3 pointer, allowing traveling by the “stars” of the game, ignoring the boxing matches under the rim, it is all about running up the score to make the game appear more exciting. Also, raise the goal at least a foot then it will be a game.
A good football game is 17-14, 21-17, not 45-40. The skins and the Vikings showed yesterday that while a passing game can strike quick, a running game still controls the game (with a good defense). NFL is starting to look like 6 man football.
> That’s what sells tickets, advertising, beer, nachos, cars, big screen televisions and such.
And don’t forget couches — coaches, even bad coaches, sell couches. ;’)