Post by Pirates GM on Apr 25, 2023 13:20:00 GMT -5
Even despite being a big conspiracy guy, I never really thought modern pro sports were rigged or scripted in any way. My reason laid with watching WWE Royal Rumbles. Even when there were 5-6 superstars in the ring at a time, it was so difficult to choreograph and script that most of the wrestling always degrades into a series of punches and kicks to stall for time. And that's only 5-6 guys, not 22.
But my thoughts began to change while watching Super Bowl LVI in 2022. Despite being a Steelers' fan, I was pulling hard for the Bengals, because I know how terrible that franchise has been, and how much their fanbase has struggled. It was a super-clean game, and the Bengals had clearly outplayed the Rams until the final minutes of the 4th quarter. And then just when it looked like Cincinnati had stopped LA to seal the game...
Flag.
Flag.
Flag.
Perhaps only one was a clear-cut penalty. The rest were ticky-tack, or were football moves that could be called every play if refs wanted. It wasn't "scripted" per se, but from my vantage point, the referees just kept giving the high-powered Rams' offense just enough chances to win the game. The NFL had to much prefer their 2nd largest- and newest- market winning it all, as opposed to a small city in Ohio.
Fast forward to LVII this year, it appeared the Eagles at least had the Chiefs stopped late in the 4th quarter, to force Kansas City to OT in what had been one of the greatest Super Bowls in history to that point. Instead, one of the worst penalty calls in recent Super Bowl history gave the Chiefs a new set of downs, and the winning chip shot FG. To his credit (and probably discipline behind the scenes), announcer Greg Olson said that call should have never happened, and it was a terrible way to decide the Super Bowl.
It was weird too, because that call sucked all of the energy out of the stadium, both for Eagles and Chiefs fans alike. Like everyone collectively realized a phenomenal game had been botched by a bogus call. And once again, the more favored NFL franchise came out on top.
When you look at the hundreds of millions to billions of dollars that passes through the NFL every year, I have a tougher and tougher time believing that all of these powerful people are like, "Welp! Let's just let 'em decide it on the field, and may the best team win!" I don't think in this day and age you even need full collusion or scripting. NFL offenses are simply powerful enough that if you continue to give the preferred team extra chances, they will win.
I don't think every NFL game is pre-determined. I'm guessing they let the majority of the regular season play out as-is, and then start sorting teams out come playoff time. I also have not seen any similar signs in MLB, the NHL, or the NBA....although the crazy point swings in the NBA make you wonder.
But after watching the last 2 Super Bowls play out the way they did, I think it's highly likely an ultimate NFL winner is pre-determined.
I had been wanting to post this ever since February, and since nothing is going on right now as we await the (hopeful) start of the season, I thought I'd throw it out there.
JIm
But my thoughts began to change while watching Super Bowl LVI in 2022. Despite being a Steelers' fan, I was pulling hard for the Bengals, because I know how terrible that franchise has been, and how much their fanbase has struggled. It was a super-clean game, and the Bengals had clearly outplayed the Rams until the final minutes of the 4th quarter. And then just when it looked like Cincinnati had stopped LA to seal the game...
Flag.
Flag.
Flag.
Perhaps only one was a clear-cut penalty. The rest were ticky-tack, or were football moves that could be called every play if refs wanted. It wasn't "scripted" per se, but from my vantage point, the referees just kept giving the high-powered Rams' offense just enough chances to win the game. The NFL had to much prefer their 2nd largest- and newest- market winning it all, as opposed to a small city in Ohio.
Fast forward to LVII this year, it appeared the Eagles at least had the Chiefs stopped late in the 4th quarter, to force Kansas City to OT in what had been one of the greatest Super Bowls in history to that point. Instead, one of the worst penalty calls in recent Super Bowl history gave the Chiefs a new set of downs, and the winning chip shot FG. To his credit (and probably discipline behind the scenes), announcer Greg Olson said that call should have never happened, and it was a terrible way to decide the Super Bowl.
It was weird too, because that call sucked all of the energy out of the stadium, both for Eagles and Chiefs fans alike. Like everyone collectively realized a phenomenal game had been botched by a bogus call. And once again, the more favored NFL franchise came out on top.
When you look at the hundreds of millions to billions of dollars that passes through the NFL every year, I have a tougher and tougher time believing that all of these powerful people are like, "Welp! Let's just let 'em decide it on the field, and may the best team win!" I don't think in this day and age you even need full collusion or scripting. NFL offenses are simply powerful enough that if you continue to give the preferred team extra chances, they will win.
I don't think every NFL game is pre-determined. I'm guessing they let the majority of the regular season play out as-is, and then start sorting teams out come playoff time. I also have not seen any similar signs in MLB, the NHL, or the NBA....although the crazy point swings in the NBA make you wonder.
But after watching the last 2 Super Bowls play out the way they did, I think it's highly likely an ultimate NFL winner is pre-determined.
I had been wanting to post this ever since February, and since nothing is going on right now as we await the (hopeful) start of the season, I thought I'd throw it out there.
JIm