So that was Christmas. And what have we done?
Not much. The playoff picture is only slightly less murky. And now we are entering the final week of the NFL, also known as the Week of Shame. This is the week that teams throw games.
OK, not literally throw games, but a team with nothing to gain has absolutely no incentive to play starters or even give 100%. You paid hundreds of dollars for tickets, parking and flat beer? Sorry, the team's taking the day off. Caught in a do or die playoff hunt with a hated rival? Sorry, your rival's playing the top seed but they've already locked up home field advantage, they may as well be playing the Lions. Have a website where you painstakingly track games and monitor statistics in an effort to get an idea of who the strongest teams actually are? Sorry, the better the team, the more likely they can sleep through the weekend and screw up your stats.
Last year at this time was a real mess — remember, the Colts went on cruise control as soon as the lost their shot at the undefeated season, and the Pats executed a drop kick — it seemed like everyone was taking a little personal time.
This year, the Bears had nothing to play for last week, but they were playing the Lions, so it was six of one, half-dozen of the other. This week they play the Pack, who are technically still alive for a wild card (which caused me to do a double take). A holiday gift for the Pack.
The Saints have locked up the other NFC bye and they play the Panthers, who are also still alive for a wild card. A holiday gift for the Cats.
The Seahawks managed to clinch their so-called division when the Cards beat the 49ers. They play the Bucs in an entirely inconsequential game. It will be interesting to see if the 'Hawks play their scrubs. Even though there is no benefit to winning, are they shameless enough to take their division at 8-8?
Over in the AFC things are better. The only division winner that cannot improve their position with a win is New England. They have the division locked up but no chance at a bye. A holiday gift for the Titans, who need a win and Festivus miracle to catch a post-season berth.
Article comments
1 - RJ Elliott
Why didn't you pick Dallas over Detroit on the Money Line? Dallas needs to win, and Detroit wants to lose.
Hell, even I picked the Lions to lose!
2 - RJ Elliott
Er, please delete comment #1... :-/
3 - david mazzotta
Oh, RJ, so sad. Now we don't get to see how Millen screws up the first pick.
Fittingly for this season I finished with a grinding loss of 3-5 against the spread.
Also fittingly, though the money line was only 4-6, the big payoffs mean I came out up. Woot!
4 - Matthew T. Sussman
Exactly how much is the editor's cut?
5 - RJ Elliott
Yes, but looking on the bright side, we get to see how will Millen screw up the 2nd pick!