Week 18 a bust for NFL

[Reid1boys]

The way these games are ending up, this is a total bust of a week for the NFL. I havent done a count, but so many games that mean nothing and in today's world teams are just resting starters. I honestly cant remember, but did teams used to do this back in the 80s? Im thinking players would have still played even if they were eliminated back then. Now teams are just sitting starters, and especially for those in playoffs and locked in. I am so bummed that the Giants are just mailing this game in. It makes our game so inconsequential and basically has turned it into another preseason game. What a crappy feeling for us fans.

No way in hell would I be buying tickets for these games. Only a couple of games even matter. Now, it appears the Ravens are mailing in this game, which seems nuts to me.

 

[big dog cowboy]

It's always been that way. Even the last couple of weeks there have been meaning less games.

There is no way to force teams to start their starters or make late season game relevant.

 

[Jake]

The way these games are ending up, this is a total bust of a week for the NFL. I havent done a count, but so many games that mean nothing and in today's world teams are just resting starters. I honestly cant remember, but did teams used to do this back in the 80s? Im thinking players would have still played even if they were eliminated back then.

Starters would start, but it wasn't unusual to see some pulled at halftime. What happens these days is much different, but so are the salaries and contracts.

 

[BoyzBlaster]

It's always been that way. Even the last couple of weeks there have been meaning less games.

There is no way to force teams to start their starters or make late season game relevant.

Agreed - it is what it is. Whether you are a ticket buying fan or a team, you have to be aware of that unfortunately.

 

[Flamma]

The way these games are ending up, this is a total bust of a week for the NFL. I havent done a count, but so many games that mean nothing and in today's world teams are just resting starters. I honestly cant remember, but did teams used to do this back in the 80s? Im thinking players would have still played even if they were eliminated back then. Now teams are just sitting starters, and especially for those in playoffs and locked in. I am so bummed that the Giants are just mailing this game in. It makes our game so inconsequential and basically has turned it into another preseason game. What a crappy feeling for us fans.

No way in hell would I be buying tickets for these games. Only a couple of games even matter. Now, it appears the Ravens are mailing in this game, which seems nuts to me.

I agree. Week 18 does look to be absolute garbage. Even the Packers/Lions game might be meaningless to the Lions if Seattle wins. But you're right, years ago I do seem to recall teams played spoiler. The one thing I do remember is that teams didn't seem to care whether they were the 1, 2, or 3 seed back in the 80s. Maybe because they all got the bye? That used to puzzle me.

If we had a 14 game schedule, I think only the Eagles final game wouldn't have mattered. Even with a 16 game schedule the last week would have been better.

 

[cowboys5xsbs]

They will add a week 19 eventually we just have to get used to it

 

[Jake]

They will add a week 19 eventually we just have to get used to it

My guess is we'll end up with 18 games, two byes, and a 20 week season of NFL on TV.

 

[viman96]

It has always been this way. Teams out it with nothing to play would sometimes try to win. Teams guaranteed seed rested their players.

 

[viman96]

My guess is we'll end up with 18 games, two byes, and a 20 week season of NFL on TV.

I hated the 2 byes and hope they do not bring it back. Having said that I could see them going for a 20 week season.

 

[Reid1boys]

They will add a week 19 eventually we just have to get used to it

wether they play 12, 14, 16 or 18 games doesnt change the fact that the final week will still have these exact same scenarios, so the number of games in a season has zero impact on these meaningless games the final week.

One thing interesting though is trying to play daily fantasy football. Hard to pick players when they may only play a half...lol

 

[Flamma]

I was at the last Cowboys game of the 1994 season when they played the Giants and had nothing to play for. Aikman and crew played 1 quarter.

I almost bought tickets to this week's game. The price of tickets is what stopped me. Now I wouldn't pay 50 bucks for them.

 

[Nova]

They will add a week 19 eventually we just have to get used to it

True.

But even with all the parity, there’s just not enough talent in the league to have compelling football by adding more games.

The NFL’s greed is causing further dilution to the product

 

[ghst187]

Eagles should be going all in bc a win today basically equates to a playoff win round 1

 

[Irv88]

With only having one bye for the number one seed, teams like the giants, Bucs, etc. will make their own bye.

So the nfl makes money on the games, concessions, parking, tv, etc., but these teams in reality would forfeit if they could and not even bother making the trip.

It is smart to rest starters when little is too play for for. Wildcard teams always struggle in the divisional round because those teams were rested, had an extra week to game play and ready to go. It’s like at 80% win rate for those teams who got the bye and rest in the past.

 

[lukemartin79]

The way these games are ending up, this is a total bust of a week for the NFL. I havent done a count, but so many games that mean nothing and in today's world teams are just resting starters. I honestly cant remember, but did teams used to do this back in the 80s? Im thinking players would have still played even if they were eliminated back then. Now teams are just sitting starters, and especially for those in playoffs and locked in. I am so bummed that the Giants are just mailing this game in. It makes our game so inconsequential and basically has turned it into another preseason game. What a crappy feeling for us fans.

No way in hell would I be buying tickets for these games. Only a couple of games even matter. Now, it appears the Ravens are mailing in this game, which seems nuts to me.

Its always been that way, that I can remember. Its just being smart and safe. As far as the Cowboys- the game at least gives them a chance to figure out the other CB spot, hopefully.

 

[erod]

The way these games are ending up, this is a total bust of a week for the NFL. I havent done a count, but so many games that mean nothing and in today's world teams are just resting starters. I honestly cant remember, but did teams used to do this back in the 80s? Im thinking players would have still played even if they were eliminated back then. Now teams are just sitting starters, and especially for those in playoffs and locked in. I am so bummed that the Giants are just mailing this game in. It makes our game so inconsequential and basically has turned it into another preseason game. What a crappy feeling for us fans.

No way in hell would I be buying tickets for these games. Only a couple of games even matter. Now, it appears the Ravens are mailing in this game, which seems nuts to me.

This happens no matter how many games the season.

But they'll make another couple hundred million dollars this weekend.

 

[fivetwos]

The way these games are ending up, this is a total bust of a week for the NFL. I havent done a count, but so many games that mean nothing and in today's world teams are just resting starters. I honestly cant remember, but did teams used to do this back in the 80s? Im thinking players would have still played even if they were eliminated back then. Now teams are just sitting starters, and especially for those in playoffs and locked in. I am so bummed that the Giants are just mailing this game in. It makes our game so inconsequential and basically has turned it into another preseason game. What a crappy feeling for us fans.

No way in hell would I be buying tickets for these games. Only a couple of games even matter. Now, it appears the Ravens are mailing in this game, which seems nuts to me.

Used to be even worse. That’s at least part of why they went to division games only for the final week. At least they had a division rival factor there if no playoff meaning.

Off topic but have you checked out the road opponents for next year? I know you travel a lot. Some tough games but some cool destinations….Buffalo, Miami, LAC, SF, New Orleans if they win today. All assuming we finish 2nd in the division.

 

[Reid1boys]

Its always been that way, that I can remember. Its just being smart and safe. As far as the Cowboys- the game at least gives them a chance to figure out the other CB spot, hopefully.

and hopefully go to ty hilton a lot in this game.

 

[Reid1boys]

This happens no matter how many games the season.

But they'll make another couple hundred million dollars this weekend.

I dont begrudge them making money. I/we get a ton of enjoyment off of the NFL. It is ok if they make a ton of money in my book.

 

[Flamma]

This happens no matter how many games the season.

But they'll make another couple hundred million dollars this weekend.

I'm not sure about that. With 17 or 18 games, I think it opens up the possibility for more than one game to rest players. Had the Eagles beaten the Cowboys, they could have just relaxed the rest of the season.