I have talked about this in my previous posts, but boy, this season has shown that the NFL has some major problems on the horizon. Here are the two biggest it is going to have to deal with if it wishes to continue being successful in the future.
1. Streaming options: The NFL has improved its reach on the internet by live streaming games on Twitter and NBC's app, but it still has a VERY long way to go. The NFL has, overall, been very much opposed to the rising technology of the internet. They have signed asinine deals to keep NFL games virtually unattainable for most Americans not glued to their TV (for example, the NFL has given exclusive rights to stream games to Verizon solely, meaning that if you are a competing cellular provider, you CAN NOT watch games on your phone.)
The primetime games have a huge reach thanks to streaming, however, Sunday afternoon games remain out of reach to many cord-cutters. Pirate streams are really the only viable way to watch these games (r/nflstreams on reddit is a good place to look for good-quality streams.)
With more and more people ditching cable, the NFL must fully embrace the internet, or it will die.
2. The CBA- The Collective Bargaining Agreement (essentially the contract between players, owners, and the league itself) is coming up for renewal in 2 years time. This will likely be a bloodbath. Commisioner Goodell has steadfastly stood by his power to administer and punishment he sees fit. The CBA from 2011 gave Goodell ultimate power to punish players for transgressions as he saw fit. This power has been unjustly used in many circumstances and has caused a growing furor amongst players. They wish to see this power taken from Goodell.
Goodell has resisted at every turn and has seemingly become drunk with power. If does not see the error of this, a strike is coming. And I do not know if the NFL can survive a large-scale strike like in the 80's
Friday, December 16, 2016
Late Season Notes: The Bad
The whole NFL has seen a decline in ratings along with an increase in blowouts and sloppy play. The primetime games this year have been BRUTAL to watch this year. Sunday Night, Monday Night, and Thursday Night games have all sucked hard this year. Either featuring sloppy play or lopsided blowouts, it has been a hard year for fans and the NFL's bottom line. With this being said, here are my 2 absolute teams this year. They truly highlight the garbage fire this year has been.
1. Browns- Good lord, the Browns are awful. And they are not just run-of-the-mill awful, no. They are quite possibly the worst team ever in NFL history. This isn't just hyperbole. I swear, I have not seen a team so lost and confused about its direction. They stand a good chance of being the second 0-16 team ever in NFL history. And since I am quite familiar with the previous 0-16 team (the 2008 Lions) I can say, without a doubt, this team is far worse. This team is so little hope compared to the Lions. I don't know if Cleveland can rebuild from this. Fan support is crumbling and Cleveland has become cesspool for used NFL talent.
Hey Cleveland, at least you got the Cavs!
2. The 49er's- As a Seahawks fan, this one is bittersweet. Now that our main division rival has more or less folded (being 1-12 as of writing this) it seems that the 49er's are done being a good franchise for, probably, the next decade. As much as I rejoice having an easier schedule to the playoffs, I am disappointed they are no longer our arch nemesis. They were the yin to our yang. They ensured we had to play at a higher level. For the decade prior to the 49ers bringing in Harbaugh to coach them, the Seahawks were trapped in the NFC West's terrible play. They won the division consistently, but never made much noise in the playoffs (save for their sole Super bowl trip during this time). It was the 49ers becoming great again that challenged to Seahawks to become better, to build a team that could compete. Now that they suck just like they sucked then, I can see Seattle slipping. If you are a die-hard 49ers fan, you should be pissed off. You guys went from 3 back-to-back-to-back NFC championships, to fighting the Browns for the #1 draft spot.
Oh and you guys traded in historical Candlestick Park for the gawdy awfulness of Levi's Stadium. That sucks too.
1. Browns- Good lord, the Browns are awful. And they are not just run-of-the-mill awful, no. They are quite possibly the worst team ever in NFL history. This isn't just hyperbole. I swear, I have not seen a team so lost and confused about its direction. They stand a good chance of being the second 0-16 team ever in NFL history. And since I am quite familiar with the previous 0-16 team (the 2008 Lions) I can say, without a doubt, this team is far worse. This team is so little hope compared to the Lions. I don't know if Cleveland can rebuild from this. Fan support is crumbling and Cleveland has become cesspool for used NFL talent.
Hey Cleveland, at least you got the Cavs!
2. The 49er's- As a Seahawks fan, this one is bittersweet. Now that our main division rival has more or less folded (being 1-12 as of writing this) it seems that the 49er's are done being a good franchise for, probably, the next decade. As much as I rejoice having an easier schedule to the playoffs, I am disappointed they are no longer our arch nemesis. They were the yin to our yang. They ensured we had to play at a higher level. For the decade prior to the 49ers bringing in Harbaugh to coach them, the Seahawks were trapped in the NFC West's terrible play. They won the division consistently, but never made much noise in the playoffs (save for their sole Super bowl trip during this time). It was the 49ers becoming great again that challenged to Seahawks to become better, to build a team that could compete. Now that they suck just like they sucked then, I can see Seattle slipping. If you are a die-hard 49ers fan, you should be pissed off. You guys went from 3 back-to-back-to-back NFC championships, to fighting the Browns for the #1 draft spot.
Oh and you guys traded in historical Candlestick Park for the gawdy awfulness of Levi's Stadium. That sucks too.
Late Season Notes: The Good
Alright so we are nearing the end of the NFL regular season, and boy, much of the league is a giant shit show. Outside of the Patriots and the better-than-expected Cowboys, there is not really a great team out there. From my beloved Seahawks to the lowly Packers, great teams only a few years ago are struggling in their own ways. With that being said, here are my picks for the 4 best teams not named "Patriots" or "Cowboys":
1. Giants- The Giants have been flying under the radar all year. They quietly are at 9-4 and, if not for the Cowboys, would have a legitimate shot at the 1st or 2nd seed in a weak NFC. They will probably make it to the playoffs as a wild card team. This doesn't damper my look on them, they have done great things in the past as a Wild Card team (can't argue with two Super Bowl wins). They are my best team outside New England and Dallas to win it all this year.
2. Raiders- Now the raiders suffered a tough loss on Sunday to the up-and-coming Chiefs. This has caused a large loss of optimism amongst NFL fans, however, I do not feel this should be the case. They still have a great, young core and are a team that is built to win for several years to come. They remind of the 2013 champion Seahawks team and I believe they have all the parts needed to challenge for a Super Bowl.
3. Chiefs- The Raiders and Chiefs are great companion teams. Both have built teams capable of winning. The Chief's are not nearly as young, being filled with seasoned veterans of the game. However, experience is key to building a great program. The Chiefs have tons of it. I don't know where they will be in 5 years, but I think they can be a great team for the next 2-3 years.
4. Lions- Like the Cowboy's, the Lions are much better than expected. Unlike the Cowboys, the Lions have been aided by an exceptionally weak NFC North but this doesn't detract from their success this season. Matthew Stafford has quietly built the case for being considered "elite" with elegant performances in numerous 4th quarter comebacks this year. This team has the grit to win. They can grind out victories in the most pressuring situations. That is key for playoff success.
With all that being said, my Super Bowl pick is:
Raiders beat the Giants: 24-10.
1. Giants- The Giants have been flying under the radar all year. They quietly are at 9-4 and, if not for the Cowboys, would have a legitimate shot at the 1st or 2nd seed in a weak NFC. They will probably make it to the playoffs as a wild card team. This doesn't damper my look on them, they have done great things in the past as a Wild Card team (can't argue with two Super Bowl wins). They are my best team outside New England and Dallas to win it all this year.
2. Raiders- Now the raiders suffered a tough loss on Sunday to the up-and-coming Chiefs. This has caused a large loss of optimism amongst NFL fans, however, I do not feel this should be the case. They still have a great, young core and are a team that is built to win for several years to come. They remind of the 2013 champion Seahawks team and I believe they have all the parts needed to challenge for a Super Bowl.
3. Chiefs- The Raiders and Chiefs are great companion teams. Both have built teams capable of winning. The Chief's are not nearly as young, being filled with seasoned veterans of the game. However, experience is key to building a great program. The Chiefs have tons of it. I don't know where they will be in 5 years, but I think they can be a great team for the next 2-3 years.
4. Lions- Like the Cowboy's, the Lions are much better than expected. Unlike the Cowboys, the Lions have been aided by an exceptionally weak NFC North but this doesn't detract from their success this season. Matthew Stafford has quietly built the case for being considered "elite" with elegant performances in numerous 4th quarter comebacks this year. This team has the grit to win. They can grind out victories in the most pressuring situations. That is key for playoff success.
With all that being said, my Super Bowl pick is:
Raiders beat the Giants: 24-10.
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