02-08-2017, 07:29 PM
(02-08-2017, 09:57 AM)YoungThundercat Wrote: I disagree completely with your theory. What is this fascination recently with Bengals fans and "the NFL is fixed" narrative? I mean, my best working hypothesis is an emotional response to seeing NE v. Pitt, the two teams most Bengals fans hate most, in the AFCCG....
But who else was going to be there? Osweiler? Matt Moore? Connor Cook? Alex Smith? The NFL isn't fixed, it's weighted towards the passing game. The last 4 teams left had the NFL MVP and 3 future HOF QBs. It sucks, but it is what it is. Chicks dig the long ball and 400 yard passing games. It has nothing to do with the size of the fanbase.
I think you're conflating what's in ESPN's best interest with the NFL. ESPN wants Dallas, Pitt, NE, Seattle, GB, etc to be good directly because the size of the fanbase. ESPN is in the business of having the most people watch/listen to their programming, so they talk about the teams who will draw the most listeners/viewers in. The NFL doesn't have that problem. It is far and away the most viewed sports league in this country.
I don't know about you, but not once did I sit during that Superbowl and think to myself, "Gosh. I wish GB or Dallas were here instead of Atlanta, they have SOOOOOO many more fans." If the NFL was such an unstoppable behemoth of guaranteeing outcomes, why wasn't Dallas in the Superbowl? That'd be the biggest moneymaker. FOX made a reported $20 million additional dollars from commercials during the overtime...So why haven't they had the NFL "fix" every Superbowl to go to OT?
As to the original point about New England being "allowed" to win because they are a great story, all I can say is :New England doesn't win because they are a good story. They are a good story because they win. Same for any team in this league. Bengals go on a 5 year run of NE-esque success? ESPN will be all over our balls and Jags fans will be bitching about how it's "fixed" to "let" us win.
Grow up.
There is a lot of sense in this post, have to say. I do believe that the refs are biased for the Steelers most of the time
and especially when they are playing us. Why? Cause it is true but to say the NFL is fixed is one big damn conspiracy of
massive paranoia. The Patriots were the best team this year and had to play one hell of a game to beat the Falcons who
were the best team in the NFC by far.
Great game too, one of the best Superbowls of all time except the halftime show lmao
