Following the New England Patriots’ complete destruction of the Buffalo Bills’ defense, we learned two things: Andrea Kremer would totally go out with Tom Brady, and the Patriots are offensive (pun!!1!) simply by taking the field and playing the game they’re paid to play.
It wasn’t the first time the Patriots have beaten an opponent as
severely as they beat the Bills, and, not surprisingly, it wasn’t the
first time they’ve been accused of “running up the score.”
24, 24, 31, 21, 17, 21, 45, 4, and 46. Those are the Patriots’
margins of victory in their ten games this season. That’s an average
margin of victory of over 23 points.
The latest wails of “running up the score” came after the Patriots
twice went for the touchdown on fourth down instead of settling for a
field goal in the Bills game. The oft-cited “unwritten rules” were
brought up, that it is unethical to go for it on fourth down if you’re
enjoying a comfortable lead.
This rule applies to almost any team sport, especially baseball,
where, if you’re up by about 8 runs or so, it becomes unethical to
steal bases, bunt, bring in your better pitchers, and try trick plays.
It’s just an example of how no one can be offended anymore in this
country. On this blog, as well as in many other venues, I’ve made what
some consider extremely liberal claims (e.g. drugs should be
legalized), but one liberal issue I completely abhor is political
correctness. It’s often hypocritical and almost always an infringement
on First Amendment rights. The Patriots didn’t even speak — they simply
played a game well.
Here’s a list of people you can’t offend in this country:
Homosexuals
Bisexuals
Transgenders
Christians
Jews
African-Americans
Women
Anyone who knows anyone who knows anyone who is in the armed forces
The Bush administration, and the government in general
The disabled (note: not referring to the Bush administration)
People who are squeamish when it comes to violence or “foul” language
NEW: Bad sports teams, or otherwise good teams simply getting demolished
It’s politically correct to not run up the score. It’s politically correct to not brag and to modestly acknowledge your success.
It’s politically incorrect to humorously reference a movie about
homosexuality — still a fine source of humor for many in the comedy
industry — and analogize it to basketball, as Phil Jackson did.
Back to the Patriots — what did the P.C. people want Belichick to do
instead? Kick a field goal and tack on more points? At least if he goes
for it on fourth down, he gives the Bills defense a chance to step it
up and prevent them from scoring any points. At that point, with the
Patriots leading as emphatically as they were, the difference between a
touchdown and a field goal (four points) was moot anyway.
Isn’t it more insulting to “play down” to your opponent after you
get out to a sizable lead? It says, at least to me, “I’m so good, I
don’t even need to try hard to beat you. I can take out all of our best
players and play second- and third-stringers.”
Don’t want the Patriots to run up the score? Keep them out of the end zone. That was the response Leon Grant of the Seattle Seahawks gave to reporters
when asked about Chad Johnson’s touchdown celebrations (another thing
you’re not allowed to do when the P.C. police are around):
And though none of the Seahawks wants to witness
one of Johnson’s elaborate celebrations, they are more concerned with
the reason it would occur rather than the act itself.
“My mentality is that if you don’t want a guy to do all of that on you, just keep him out of the end zone,” Grant said.
The Patriots will continue to win by at least three touchdowns, and
will kick sand in the face of their opponents as they go for the fourth
on fourth down.
Agree with the 4 and 1 vs. field goal. At least a 4 and 1 gives the defense a chance of preventing more points added to the score. A FG virtually takes them out of the play, although there is a small chance of blocking the FG.
Also, the score makes the point difference between a FG vs. a TD a moot point. The reason for going for it is to continue possession and to continue to run out the clock. A FG eats up a couple of seconds, handing off to a full back eats up 10 seconds at worst, or gives you a full set of downs to eat up more time.
Each of the late running TDs scored by the #5 running back, Kyle Eckels, I see as the coach just giving the guy a chance for some carries (and TDs) on a team that doesn't use the running game. They are most likely the guy's best and only chance to have any offensive input for the team.
This is an outstanding blog. I completely agree. If the Patriots were ahead by 35 on my Packers (which happened last year), I would be more offended by them kicking a field goal than scoring another TD. Kudos to the Patriots offense for their outstanding year, and good luck against GB in the SB.
If I was on the other team, I would not be "offended", I would be "embarrassed". As highly competitive as professional athletics should be. I Would welcome the Patriots to keep going for it on 4th and 1, It would give my team more practice.
Last edited by HELLTOPAY on November 21st at 8:42 AM.
The thing I think BB is doing is preparing his team for when a 4th and 1 might be a difference maker in a game. If they have a 75% success rate in the regular season you would think they would be comfortable doing it when a game is on the line. I know it seems like the Pats will never have a 'game on the line' this year they way the are playing but this is the NFL people and surprises come in surprising packages.... Just ask Pittsburgh.
If you love MNF but hate ESPN's broadcast check out:
http://ihatemondaynightfootball.blo gspot.com/
Last edited by EsseQuamVideri on November 21st at 8:39 AM.
I'm seeing more and more of PFGirl on these blogs and beginning to like the way she thinks. Smart girl. And knowledgeable too! I'm a Pats fan, and have been for many years. Sometimes in the past I was embarassed to acknowledge it, but couldn't ignore it. I have a football signed by ALL of the Patriots. It was a great sense of pride for about three weeks. Then they were beaten by the Bears 42-10 in the SB. I thought that was running up the score. It wasn't. It was the business of football. Play like a winner every game.
"The thing I think BB is doing is preparing his team for when a 4th and 1 might be a difference maker in a game."
This has been my thought all season. Bottomline, the Pats are using every game as practice for the next. You need to practice your 4th down offense, you need to try out every play you can think of. Then, when the playoffs come, your opponents have miles of tape to go through against a team confident in their ability to do what needs to be done.
Wonder what the odds are on the Pats going 38-0...
i used to feel that "running up the score" was a bad thing, but now i think it makes sense. as i see it, if you can score, you should. these are obviously not the jim kelly bills (although i think it was frank reich who made that comeback against houston back in the day), but we've all seen big leads blown. also, why not establish a big enough lead so that you can give a second or third string qb some snaps and be able to really analyze them without worrying about losing the game in the process? most importantly, demonstrating the ability to score in virtually any situation gives an opposing defense an overwhelming number of scenarios to try to prepare for... nothing wrong with that.
p.s. i really think we should take all the "spygate" criticism very, very seriously... as soon as someone can tell us how catching some jets signals in week 1 explains what happened to th chargers, bills, bengals, browns, cowboys, dolphins, redskins, colts, then bills again.
packersfangirl is giving me another reason to cheer on the Packers. Aside from the fact that I live in MN and despise the Vikings...well...another reason is another reason. And that's all I need. Even if I didn't need it.
Ultra~ I'm offended by the way you've written an article that most people agree upon. You feelin okay?
FYI, this is my one and only comment for the month of November. I'm no longer blogging here (obviously)...I look forward to seeing some of your stuff on TSN (if you still blog there). STBF/The_Phoenix
I'm tired of the PC winers too. The Patriots are professional football players who to me are giving the opponent a chance to stop them by going for it on 4th and one rather than taking a chip shot FG. Also, forget the effU NFL as the reason for the scoring (often done by non-starters and defensive plays). Try to remember that in last season's AFC championship game against the Colts, the Patriots blew a huge lead by NOT finishing the game. And in this season's showdown against the Colts, the Patriots overcame a large Colts lead and terribly biased officiating to win in the last 10 minutes of the game. I think that PLAYING HARD TO THE END is more to point in Belichick's perfectionist mind than an effu to his detractors. He is driving NE in practice and on the field to play hard for 60-minutes!!
Look I am out for good Ultra. My days here at Fox are over. It has been real fighting with ya and what not. Good luck in whatever it is you choose to do in life.
PS: If you want a political board to go to, try politicalforums.com. It is pretty good.
Ultra, while I agree more than anyone that PC has gone too far, I would argue that what the Patriots are doing has nothing to do with that. It's just bad sportsmanship, and people's reaction to it is a result of the prevailing PC undercurrent of today.
What bothers me is not the fact that the scores are what they are, but that the Pats go for it on 4th down when the game is clearly in hand.
IMO, Kicking the field goal IS the right thing to do in that situation. Basically, the other two options in that situation are going for it, which sends the message that you won't be satisfied with just 3 points and want more, and kneeling on the ball, which is overtly embarrassing.
Someone mentioned on a comment yesterday that Jim Tressel held off on the opportunity to go up 21-3 on Michigan in the waning moments of the game, even though "style points" mean a lot more in college football.
When faced with the same decision, Belichick routinely chooses the opposite.
Again, I assert that political incorectness and poor sportsmanship are two different things. Shaking hands and not being a poor loser/winner were around long before you had to call a midget a little person.
I probably don't have the energy for the argument that will surely ensue, but I feel strongly about what Belichick is doing (and denying), so I had to say my piece.
Ultra, just as a point of info. The Boston papers this past monday were filled with comments from 8-10 players and as well as Jaurons assessment. Everyone to a man said that the Patriots did exactly what they should do in every situation. The coach pointed out that his team had to step up early, did not and suffered the consequences against a great team. At NO time did the Bills think they were being run up on. In fact, they all knew it could have been a lot worse.
Last edited by alsports101 on November 21st at 10:21 AM.
and anyways, who cares if they run up the score they win anyways. I dont like the Patriots, but they are a good team, and you cant tell players and teams who are payed well and have immense athletic ability to "Dumb Down" their abilities to give the other less superior team a chance.
Thats not what COMPETITIVENESS is. Throw your weight around...
HEY INTELLECTUAL, YOU DON'T PAY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO PLAYERS TO GO OUT AND PLAY HALF ASSED GAMES BECAUSE THE OTHER TEAM CAN'T KEEP UP!!!
IT'S NOT RUNNING UP THE SCORE, IT'S OUR TEAM IS THAT GOOD. ENOUGH SAID!
"Name just one group of people who DO tolerate anyone.....Except for Budhist monks of course."
My point wasn't that they tolerate some, it was that they tolerate no one. There is no "live and let live" Christian doctrine that is followed. The hatred and intolerance Christianity breeds is rival of some of the other most radical ideologies.
To take it a step further, our "Moral Right" hopes to establish what countries like Iran already have, an ideological state; just swap out Islam for Christianity.
I blogged about the same topic just a short while ago and i could not agree more. Like you said, it is more of an insult to throw in the scrubs than to keep the starters in or go for it on fourth down. People also forget that while players are 99% concerned with winning, they also like to have fun, and playing with a big lead is as fun as it gets. Some players will deny it, but they also like having fat stats too.
On the topic of PC overall, nothing bothers me more than somone complaining on behalf of who actually is being victimized. If the Bills wanna #### about it, they can, but people should not assume they actually are insulted by the patriots "excessive scoring," if there is such a thing. I am Jewish and it doesnt bother me at all when people throw Jewish jokes around, because after all, its just a Joke. The response to Phil Jackson's Brokeback Mountain reference was crazy. Its not like he let anybody in on some big secret, all he did was make an analogy, and he didnt even degrade the ####s while doing so. Lighten up people.
Running up the score? This is professional football being played by grown men, not Oklahoma or Florida or whoever playing some hapless team from Div. I-AA that just needs the gate money. If your feelings might get hurt if the Patriots score again, then go take up quilting!!!!
ElGallo, your commentary is about the stupidist thing I have read on this site, and given the literacy level displayed by some of the posters here that is really saying something. Go spend about, oh, a year or so in the middle east watching rival denominations kill each other and then come talk to me about intolerance. I'll be waiting.
I am a Viking Fan and I really enjoy watching the Patriots play. Keep playing hard and scoring, if they can't stop you do not stop yourself. I do not see the very wealthy in this country stop making money although some may ask when is enough enough!
Hey, I'm glad you know so much about me, since you're assuming I do not know what I am talking about or have witnessed the atrocities committed in the Middle East. Then again, you go on to assume that the intolerance over there is faith-based and not tribal. Call them what you want, regardless of which "god" they worship, their hate for one another would still run as deep.
Let's just go ahead forget about the long, bloody history of Protestants v. Catholics while we're at it too...
Hope I don't keep you waiting much longer, but what exactly does instituting a Christian state here, like Iran's Islamic state, have to do with anything you had to say?
The way I see it, if those other teams would have played better, this wouldn't happen. New England is doing what they do best and that's win when they need to. As far as running up the score, I don't see a problem with it. If the other team would have done a better job in preventing them from scoring so much, then maybe there wouldn't be this discussion now would there.
I agree with the writer's comments, but the thing I can't get past relative to the patriots "running up the score" is... isn't it the responsibility of the vanquished to waive the white flag? Why was Jason Cambell of the Redskins (1st string) still in the game to throw a td pass against the Pats with 2+ minutes left. I swear I wasn't dreaming when Jason Taylor of the dolphis, down at least 4 scores, picked off Matt Cassell and danced into the end zone. The Patriots brough out their 1st string and proceeded to retaliate with an easy td strike. If these teams are going to leave their 1st string in, then the pats are more than within their rights, or even more, are responsible to their season ticket holders and opponent to give their best effort by leaving in their starters. The team down by 40 should be the one to call "uncle".
I think you are right on the money. Going for it on 4th and 1, like it or not for the opponent, basically amounts to practice for when it really counts and when it might mean the difference between a loss and a win. Repetition repetition repetition makes for comfort and good execution when it counts. Nothing is a given in the NFL. The Patriots know that if they do not execute, they can lose. ANY team can lose. They know it. So they are not taking their foot off the gas but using every minute to focus and practice execution. As well, putting in 2nd and third string players gives them game time, an important factor. And, anyone who thinks that Brady is just reaping the benefits o####ood system, a cog, take a look at was Cassell and the other backup has done when they go in. Brady threw 5 touchdowns in 3 quarters. Cassell threw zero. When Cassell came in in the Miami game he instantly threw an INT. Keep it up Pats!
How can you respect a team that lets you go up 35-7 in half. As John Madden said in reference to all this crazy talk about running up the score "They got a third string running back in there who's name nobody know running the most basic of plays, a run up the middle. What more do you want the Patriots to do?"
Even if the Patriots kick two field goals instead of two TDs the score is still 48-10.
Give me a break. This is pro football. Quit whining. The whole idea that you should STOP scoring to show respect is childish.
..."intimidation is at the heart of the NFL game, a factor in every matchup—team vs. team or one on one. Right now every talking head is making the case that the Patriots are unbeatable, quite possibly the best team in NFL history. That works to the Pats' advantage. They do not want to take their feet off the opposition's throats. They don't want to give future opponents even a glimpse of vulnerability.
Brady says a loss can be more than a loss. He notes that two seasons ago, when the Indianapolis Colts went 13-0 before losing to the San Diego Chargers, the Pittsburgh Steelers used a game plan similar to the Chargers' to whip the Colts in the playoffs. That's how, Brady says, one loss can turn into two losses.
As Brady explains it, he has had only 10 games to work with his three new wideouts, Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth. It may not seem as if there is any room for improvement in the Patriots offense, but Brady believes that the more they work and play together, the better the chances they will click in the future.
I am not exactly clear why kicking a field goal with a big lead on fourth and short to make the score 45-7 is good form while going for it—a 0- or 7-point option—is inhumane. Brady points out that going for it gives the offense a chance to work on something that may come up later in a more critical situation. The Patriots view everything as a learning experience.
Last edited by ChevSS44 on November 21st at 12:51 PM.
"For the record, here's a little sampler from the championship seasons of the most storied coaches in NFL history, hall-of-famers all. George Halas's 1940 Chicago Bears: 41-10 vs. Packers; 47-25 vs. Rams; 73-0 vs. Redskins. Paul Brown's 1954 Cleveland Browns; 62-3 vs. Rams; 42-7 vs. Steelers; 56-10 vs. Lions. Vince Lombardi's 1962 Green Bay Packers: 49-0 vs. Bears; 49-0 vs. Eagles; 41-10 vs. Rams. Tom Landry's 1971 Dallas Cowboys: 42-7 vs. Eagles; 56-17 vs. Falcons; 41-14 vs. Steelers. Don Shula's 1972 Miami Dolphins: 52-0 vs. Patriots. Bill Walsh's 1984 San Francisco 49ers: 41-7 vs. Bears; 51-7 vs. Falcons. Joe Gibbs's 1991 Washington Redskins: 45-0 vs. Lions; 56-17 vs. Falcons; 41-14 vs. Steelers.
Sure, I understand what goes around comes around, that the shoe will someday be on the other foot and every other cliché that sportswriters and sportscasters can bandy about. Trust me, having attended the very first Patriots game ever and having followed the team all of its life, the shoe was most often on the other foot. And what goes around already went around. For years our team was the Patsies and nobody wept for us, Argentina.
When the Pats finally made it to their first Super Bowl, XX in 1986, I don't recall anything but laughter and cheers when Chicago handed the ball off to a nose guard, "The Fridge," for a TD that put the Bears up 44-3. Maybe everybody was just too busy dancing to "The Super Bowl Shuffle" to worry about ethics."
1. mandatory Bike Helmets
2. Water costs more than Soft Drinks.
3. Obesity is a disease not a choice
4. Every one is a winner even if you lose. (I remeber a time when I lost and tried harder the next time)
5.Smokers are looked at as less than human and shunned socially
6. The Patriots are hurting other teams feelings and should have their pippy's slapped
I DONT THINK THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE WAY THE PATS PLAYED VS BILLS OR VS ANY OTHER TEAM THIS SEASON. IT'S A GAME. EITHER THEY WIN OR LOSE-PERIOD. THE MARGIN OF VICTORY IS JUST FOR THE BOOKS. IT DOESNT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. OTHER TEAMS HAVE LEAD 20PTS OR MORE TOO AT ONE POINT. I DONT EVEN SEE AN ETHICAL ISSUE THERE. WHAT IS UNETHICAL IS WHEN SOMEBODY CREATES AN ISSUE OUT OF THEIR WIN LIKE, "RUNNING UP THE SCORE," OR THINGS LIKE THAT. LET'S BE FAIR TO THE PATS. THEY HAVE BEEN DOWN FOR MANY YEARS TOO. THEY HAVE EARNED THEIR RIGHT TO BE ON TOP THIS SEASON. SOMEDAY, IT WILL BE SOMEBODY ELSE'S.
While much of what you say is true, two things jump out at me. Can't criticize Christians? They are the only religious group that is routinely and regularly criticized.
Can't criticize Bush and the government? Where have you been for the last 7 years. Your liberal bias is poking thru here I think.
Kelly, that's another example of political correctness. You can write a book about it, almost.
Slap, simple advice.
rgronovius, good point about Eckels, I hadn't caught that.
Shooter, it's almost like crying wolf. You complain about menial issues like someone offending you, no one's going to take you seriously when you complain about the real stuff.
PFG, thanks. I have to admit that I was not at all sold on the Packers this year and they really proved me wrong. A NE/GB Super Bowl is very realistic.
Mikers, Christians are the majority in this country. Laws are passed simply on their behalf. Along with the Jews, they have the most powerful lobby in politics. You even put "evolution" and "public school" in the same sentence and most Christians can't wait to explode in their pants about how intelligent design (i.e. factless pseudo-science) should be on equal footing.
Helltopay, if I was on the other team I'd be embarrassed, too.
Esse, I don't know if Belichick's doing it just for "practice," but he certainly marches to the beat of his own drum, so you never know.
Weekend, people often confuse "running up the score" with "playing solid football."
Pete, if you ask me, someone going for it on fourth down with a 28-point lead not only would fail to offend me, but would only motivate me even more to stop them.
FTL, thanks. Undefeated two seasons in a row? They might be the most explosive offense in NFL history, but I think Lady Luck can have enough of an effect to hand them a loss sometime between now and the end of next season.
badkarma, good points. Belichick has definitely shown that the Patriots don't need to nab the other team's signals to succeed.
gcoach, a traitor, eh? Well, I'm a Cowboys fan in Eagles country. Can I hand you my Benedict Arnold jersey?
ThePhoenix, it's one of those rare days where I say something insightful and I'm actually backed by the majority opinion. I'm fine, but there are a couple of empty bottles of cough syrup, and I can't remember the last 7 hours. I haven't blogged on TSN for a while, I don't like the feel of it.
Otis, good points, and just more evidence of the future Hall of Fame coach's mentality.
LSU, as much as we've argued, I hate to see you go. Any way I can convince you not to? If not, please E-Mail me (my information is here) and let me know how you're doing.
TSI, finally, a dissenting voice.
going for it, which sends the message that you won't be satisfied with just 3 points and want more
As I mentioned, I feel that the difference between 3 and 7 points, at that point in the game, is moot. The field goal is almost automatic, but the touchdown most certainly is not. And if the Bills didn't like them going for it on fourth down, they could have stopped them, but were too inferior to do so.
I assert that political incorectness and poor sportsmanship are two different things
Hmm... perhaps political correctness stems from a broad idea of sportsmanship.
alsports, I am glad to see that the Buffalo Bills took their death-by-Brady like grown men.
allbowdown, you're right, I made an error in his name.
Wright, the Patriots certainly are "that good."
slapntickle, many groups tolerate other groups. They tolerate them, but that does not imply that they like said group. Christians are heavily intolerant, much more so than Muslims. Read the Bible and you'll see child massacres, sexism towards women, racism towards blacks, and so many other kinds of intolerance. Today's average American Christian is intolerant of: atheists, agnostics, Muslims, homosexuals, bisexuals, transgenders, women who get abortions, doctors who perform abortions, soldiers who do not agree with their ideologies, and so on.
Chitown, I've read and heard responses from many ####- and bi-sexuals about Jackson's joke and I don't think even one of them was offended. Yeah, Kremer put up a gem there.
GoPurple, that's a good suggestion: quilting.
Hunterdog, good analogy. I'm offended by Bill Gates' wealth. Now he has to foreclose his Microsoft business. :)
tophat, it's amazing who gets offended at this stuff, because it's usually people who aren't even part of the group being "victimized." For instance, I've told some jokes about Jews to my Jewish friends, and none of them got upset. I tell the same jokes to my atheist friend, and he blows a gasket.
neverfirst, as has been mentioned, isn't it more disrespectful to play with kid gloves?
isn't it the responsibility of the vanquished to waive the white flag?
Yes, you're right, drwnh.
Chev, thanks for posting parts of that article.
marty, is that George Carlin I'm reading?
nautz, it's a made-up issue.
They are the only religious group that is routinely and regularly criticized.
Really? Muslims and atheists (technically not a religious group, but for the sake of argument) are much more heavily criticized. Atheists are the least-trusted group in this country.
Can't criticize Bush and the government?
What I meant by that is their pro-censorship and pro-spying agendas. If you criticize the Bush administration, they've passed laws (USA PATRIOT Act and Military Commissions Act of 2006) that allow them to pretty much break into your home, grab you by the throat, throw you in jail for an undetermined amount of time, and beat the #### out of you.
i dont necessarily have a problem with NE going for it on 4th down in the 4th quarter o####ame they're already up by 5 TD's in.
i do, however, question the logic behind having all the starters in the game at that point, particularly tom brady and randy moss.
the obvious conclusion i come to, based on this knowledge, is that it's not even so much about running up the score as it is padding brady's, moss's, and the season point total of the team.
if belichick, brady and co. are trying to deny that they're intentionally trying to score as many points (touchdowns, mind you) as they possibly can, maybe they should at least put in the backups in these blowouts.
i mean, seriously, its not like in baseball when you take out the starting pitcher after he puts up 6 shutout innings with 10 K's, 1 hit and 0 walks, AND a 13-0 lead, only to see the bullpen blow it and wish you could put him back in. does uncle bill not realize he could put his starters back in if, god forbid (and yeah, i know you're an athiest, it's a figure of speech) the opposing team manages to score a couple TD's and make it "close" (if you consider being down 3 TD's close)?
in general, i agree PC is getting way out of hand. PC is a nice way of saying we are no longer entitled to our own opinions.
I couldnt agree more with almost all of you. Its not the fans crying "running up the score" its just the press finding a lazy way to find something to write about. period.
The many excellent points in this blog have been uplifting, as opposed to the disappointing signs of widespread sour grapes and resentment shown toward the Patriots in recent weeks.
The insident at the Jets game in Week 1 was indeed disappointing and duly punished severely. Nevertheless, ChevSS44 and others make good points. The Patriots did not win a Super Bowl from 1960 until 2000, were often called Patsies and often victims of lob-sided scores (including the 52-10 demolition by the Chicago Bears in the 1086 Super Bowl)--but I never heard any talk about "piling on" or "running up the score" (nor when Peyton Manning was using each entire game to throw TD passes to beat Marino's record in 2004).
Since 2001, the Pats have won 3 Super Bowls, and the way they won made their fans very proud by showing character traits that reminded many of the Celtics teams of the past: teamwork, hard work, smart coaching and playing, focussing on the next play or game, not bragging, winning games against teams that were better on paper (until this year), etc.
Finally, if you were a Patriot, would you be motivated if sports writers, bloggers, coaches, fans, and players from teams who had lost to the Patriots in recent post-season games "piled on" with insinuations that the Patriots' accomplishments were tainted?
Last edited by JackDHU89 on November 21st at 5:00 PM.
One of the tie-breakers used in deciding who makes it into the playoffs and how seeding is done is points for and against. If NFL coaches have a problem with teams running up the score then they should change this rule.
One day a team is going to miss the playoffs when one of two 10-6 teams are out of the post season due to it being settled by this particular tie-breaker. One may go home simply because of their trying to be ’sportsmanlinke.’
As long as it is a factor in making the playoffs, teams should put as many points on the board as possible. It can mean the difference between playing in January or staying home or who gets homefield throughout the postseason.
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I'm a diehard Phillies fan who is still reeling from the 1993 World Series and Joe Carter's three-run homerun in Game 6.
