Last weekend’s games proved just how exciting the divisional round of the NFL playoffs can be. That’s why so many people say that round is their favorite round en route to the Super Bowl. The Philadelphia Eagles won a slugfest with the Atlanta Falcons that came down to a 4th and goal play. The Patriots blew out the Titans in a game that needs no more attention than this sentence. But, Sunday’s game were pure electricity.
The Jacksonville Jaguars pulled off a stunner, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 45-42 in a game that was nowhere near as close as that final score would indicate. And, thanks to the ‘Minnesota Miracle,’ the Vikings shocked the New Orleans Saints in walk-off fashion.
So, we have a championship weekend that’ll feature a Jags-Patriots AFC Championship and an Eagles-Vikings NFC Championship. Personally, I’m ecstatic. That sounds like two great match-ups to me, and it’s quite the “final four.” Raise your hand if you predicted the Eagles, Jags, or Vikings to be here.
Mmmmhhmmm….what I thought.
Two of the largest television markets in the country remain (Boston and Philadelphia). But, I hope that Roger Goodell has to answer to NBC for a Jaguars-Vikings Super Bowl. I don’t think the ratings would be anywhere near as good as if either the Pats or Eagles made it in.
At this point, anything outside of a Patriots win would be a surprise. That’s nice. But, the casual football fan isn’t going to be breaking down the game from an individual match-up level. Plus, “Patriots fatigue” is a real thing. You’re starting to see this a bit in the NBA – people are saying, “just fast forward to Cavs-Warriors in June,” for example.
So, the NFL is in a tough spot here.
The Super Bowl is a social event for a lot of people. It’s just a fact that more people tune in to see popular teams, and the larger the television markets involved, the more viewers. A lot of things have been happening to cause a decline in popularity of the NFL. But, they still have the mass marketing machine that is the Super Bowl to hang their hats on (and hell, companies are starting to realize that the millions of dollars they’re spending for an ad isn’t really worth it).
Maybe a Super Bowl that NBC deems “shitty” would force Goodell to make some of the changes we’ve talked about to improve the NFL.
They’ve already brought back touchdown celebrations, which is an indicator that they realize the heat is on. But, in my opinion, if they don’t make the game safer, simplify the rules, and hire better officials, the league is doomed.
Or, hey – Clay Travis put all of this in a gif simpler than I’ve just written it out:
NBC execs if they get a Jags-Vikings Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/LMKnvpi5Rx
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 15, 2018
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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