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Is the NFL unwatchable these days?

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AggieSteel

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Interesting articles here, which I largely agree with. We've talked about this a lot on this board, that the games (other than Steelers games) just aren't really exciting to watch. The product on the field is boring, scores are down, margin of victory up, QBs only take safe throws, offensive lines are terrible, etc. Def worth the read:

https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2017/9/19/16332762/watchability-fun-football-boring-quality-of-play

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...the-nfls-watchability/?utm_term=.bcf070a7131a

In the past five years of the NFL, offenses have reached unprecedented levels of scoring, quarterbacks have become more accurate than ever, turnovers have plummeted—and yet, it’s not fun. If you simply read the statistical markers, it would seem like every offense was as exciting as the pub scene from Inglourious Basterds. Sacks and interceptions hit all-time lows last year, but that just means that quarterbacks are getting rid of the ball quicker and opting for shorter, safer targets. We have reached one of the most frustrating eras in football history. Everything is fine and it doesn’t look good.

Through two weeks, scoring is down 2.4 points per game from last year, but this isn’t a statistical argument. This is about aesthetics. If a critical mass of fans agrees the game is ugly, then it’s ugly. If a listless 13-9 Bengals-Texans game doesn’t especially disappoint fans because everything looks like a 13-9 Bengals-Texans game, then that’s an issue. The national conversation about the NFL right now is about the game’s decreasing watchability; it doesn’t matter if offenses are hyper-efficient.

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The first two weeks of the NFL’s regular season have been, for lack of a better word, boring. Either the games were low-scoring affairs, like the combined 12 points the Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers managed on Sunday, or left little doubt as to the outcome, such as the Denver Broncos steamrolling the Dallas Cowboys by 25.

The average scoring output has been so puny — 20.3 points per game per team — it qualifies as the lowest average for the first two weeks of the season since 2010. Yet the average margin of victory is 12.9 points per game, the highest since 2011. With the games either low-scoring or lopsided, the NFL has been an early-season snoozefest.
 
AggieSteel said:
Interesting articles here, which I largely agree with. We've talked about this a lot on this board, that the games (other than Steelers games) just aren't really exciting to watch. The product on the field is boring, scores are down, margin of victory up, QBs only take safe throws, offensive lines are terrible, etc. Def worth the read:

https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2017/9/19/16332762/watchability-fun-football-boring-quality-of-play

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...the-nfls-watchability/?utm_term=.bcf070a7131a

In the past five years of the NFL, offenses have reached unprecedented levels of scoring, quarterbacks have become more accurate than ever, turnovers have plummeted—and yet, it’s not fun. If you simply read the statistical markers, it would seem like every offense was as exciting as the pub scene from Inglourious Basterds. Sacks and interceptions hit all-time lows last year, but that just means that quarterbacks are getting rid of the ball quicker and opting for shorter, safer targets. We have reached one of the most frustrating eras in football history. Everything is fine and it doesn’t look good.

Through two weeks, scoring is down 2.4 points per game from last year, but this isn’t a statistical argument. This is about aesthetics. If a critical mass of fans agrees the game is ugly, then it’s ugly. If a listless 13-9 Bengals-Texans game doesn’t especially disappoint fans because everything looks like a 13-9 Bengals-Texans game, then that’s an issue. The national conversation about the NFL right now is about the game’s decreasing watchability; it doesn’t matter if offenses are hyper-efficient.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first two weeks of the NFL’s regular season have been, for lack of a better word, boring. Either the games were low-scoring affairs, like the combined 12 points the Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers managed on Sunday, or left little doubt as to the outcome, such as the Denver Broncos steamrolling the Dallas Cowboys by 25.

The average scoring output has been so puny — 20.3 points per game per team — it qualifies as the lowest average for the first two weeks of the season since 2010. Yet the average margin of victory is 12.9 points per game, the highest since 2011. With the games either low-scoring or lopsided, the NFL has been an early-season snoozefest.
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Its not the rules, they are made for offense. The QB play sucks right now. Look at who we played, Kizer a average rookie, the Vikings back up, and next up Glennon who is lucky to start. After that Flacco, who's good, but far from great than the a bust in Blake Bortles. Two game after that we play the Colts bak up QB!

If they want to make the game more exciting, bring back kickoffs...move the kickers 5 yards back, and allow the players to actually tackle as long as there is no helmet to helmet contact.
 
I think it has to do with the players contracts, and how little they are playing in preseason. They just aren't up to speed.
 
The game is not a contact sport like it used to be. Everything is illegal, some QBs are favored over others, officating is not consistent, etc.

The last SB ws a mockery. It's super hard to watch for me. I think I watched six or seven games last year.
 
Disclaimer: I'm referring to the actual on-field product only
 
There are several reasons.

1. Lack of contact in practice
the fundamentals have fallen way off. Block and tackle are the most important aspects of the game but now they can't be practiced enough.

2 Nobody plays in preseason
this is an extension of practice. We are watching these guys play themselves into shape in the regular season.

3 They changed the rules to favor offense too much.
it seems like every year now, there are multiple rule changes. It seems to me like from the 80s untill about 2000, there were almost no rule changes. Sure, they went back and forth on using replay but the main rules of the game never changed

now it's too easy to complete all these short throws. It would be foolish not to base your offense around short throws. Passing used to be exciting, but now it's a long handoff. Offenses now look too similar to each other each game.

Look at what they are doing with extra points. They keep moving the 2 point line and they moved the XP back. They made these changes SOLELY for entertainment. Goodell said as much saying the old XP was boring. So just fundamentally change the game on a whim.

how about you clearly define a catch?

4 Roster construction / Salary Cap changes
they changed the cap a few years ago to limit rookie contracts which is good because now unproven rookies don't crush your cap if they are a bust. But they didn't use the savings to make stronger rosters. Instead it seems most teams have just given that money to a QB instead of spreading it out.

mediocre QBs are getting paid way too much. Look at what Osweiler got from Houston.

The effect is that we have teams that are now constructed of a handful of big money players and the rest of the roster is unproven young players who they can get for near league minimum.

Teams used to be mostly constructed of medium salaried veterans. Not stars, but solid, experienced, players who knew what they were doing. Rookies used to have to learn first and beat out a solid vet to get playing time. Now rookies are handed starting jobs and learn on gameday.


5 Millennials Suck
not all of them but many of them. Too many of these players see themselves as a "brand" first and not as team players. They need to be told Why a coach tells them what to do. They are buddies with opposing players and swap jerseys on the field. Odell Beckham is a great example. Yes he's an impact player but is the Giants winning his primary concern?
 
Let me add another. ESPN

let's face it, ESPN is the major voice in sports. Over the last 5 years, they have changed their tone on football. Now they focus more on off-field issues. They focus on injuries. They focus on negatives. It's almost as if they are saying you are a horrible person for watching football.

it's well known people are turning off ESPN in droves. This has an impact because now people don't look forward to the games as much as back when they had ESPN on in the background all week hyping up the weekend's games.
 
Like I said, September is the new preseason

Poor wittle snowflakes must be entertained 24/7 or they go crying to mommy

wah - go watch soccer
 
I disagree that high scoring games are more exciting. I don't like 3-0 games, but really high scoring games, the less significant each individual score is. It's like watching basketball, you might as well wait until midway through the final quarter before you pay attention.
 
AggieSteel said:
Disclaimer: I'm referring to the actual on-field product only
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The on-field product is noticeably neutered. It's not being so much to speed imo. I think teams have all these rules in place they are hesitant on making a hit, etc.

On the offensive side of the ball, catches are technical now. **** gets reviewed, the players helmet has to be aligned under the sun etc
 
When the NFL broadcast crew needs an NFL rules interpreter on hot standby to diagnose whether a player caught a football, your product is total ****!

My beef with the NFL started the day Goodell burned the Spy Gate evidence and allowed the Patriots to keep their championships. The evidence was so damning that it had to be burned to protect the shield. Why was Sean Peyton removed from his coaching position for full season over bounty-gate, but belichick didn't serve a single game suspension for spy gate nor deflate gate?

The game is jilted towards the offense, flags all over the field, far too many commercial breaks, political crybabies, players dressing like pimps, contract hold outs, early retirements, limited viewing markets, cheating, scandals, exploiting women, and gladiator sport that's been pussified to fit the new participation trophy generation.

**** the NFL.
 
Badcat said:
When the NFL broadcast crew needs an NFL rules interpreter on hot standby to diagnose whether a player caught a football, your product is total ****!

My beef with the NFL started the day Goodell burned the Spy Gate evidence and allowed the Patriots to keep their championships. The evidence was so damning that it had to be burned to protect the shield. Why was Sean Peyton removed from his coaching position for full season over bounty-gate, but belichick didn't serve a single game suspension for spy gate nor deflate gate?

The game is jilted towards the offense, flags all over the field, far too many commercial breaks, political crybabies, players dressing like pimps, contract hold outs, early retirements, limited viewing markets, cheating, scandals, exploiting women, and gladiator sport that's been pussified to fit the new participation trophy generation.

**** the NFL.
Click to expand...

what he said. . .
 
I'll tell you how "unwatchable" the league is after the high-powered Thursday night game this week. Rams at 49ers. Woooo this one is going to pull all the ratings right back up.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
Fire Goodell, burn the rule book and give them one page to put the rules on, make instant replay more instant. Take away the head ref from the decision and have three people in a booth reviewing the play immediately after. If they aren't certain they can stop play for no longer than 60 seconds for a ruling. If a team runs a hurry up after a play the booth can signal the ref to hold the ball for 15 seconds while the booth gets a quick replay. If it's worth reviewing they now have 45 seconds to make up their mind. During the review is when a commercial (30 seconds) will be ran. Once back they will show one or two replays to fans while the booth relays the decision. Decisions need to be unanimous or call on the field stands.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
If there was a compelling late game after the Steelers game, I would watch. Now, I just pretty much watch the Steelers. After that, who gives a ****?
 
I actually don't give a **** about the Steelers anymore. My son and wife watch the game and I sit there like a salty sarcastic prick making snide comments and bad jokes at team and a game I used to love to my core. Now, it's nothing more than an excuse to drink scotch...not that I need an excuse.
 
Badcat said:
When the NFL broadcast crew needs an NFL rules interpreter on hot standby to diagnose whether a player caught a football, your product is total ****!

My beef with the NFL started the day Goodell burned the Spy Gate evidence and allowed the Patriots to keep their championships. The evidence was so damning that it had to be burned to protect the shield. Why was Sean Peyton removed from his coaching position for full season over bounty-gate, but belichick didn't serve a single game suspension for spy gate nor deflate gate?

The game is jilted towards the offense, flags all over the field, far too many commercial breaks, political crybabies, players dressing like pimps, contract hold outs, early retirements, limited viewing markets, cheating, scandals, exploiting women, and gladiator sport that's been pussified to fit the new participation trophy generation.

**** the NFL.
Click to expand...

What he said as well. The passion for watching the NFL left when they placed the pats***** up on some pedestal and let them do what the **** ever. Burning evidence my ***. Those clowns came back with a vengeance making everyone else look like high school teams. Sorry but everyone drops. The Lombardi packers,70's Steelers, 80's 49'ers,90,s cowboys. I'm convinced beyond any doubt some horseshit is going on with that group and it never ended. It just got better. They're privy to stuff those other great qbs never had or the NFL is just a big put on come playoff time. You add in they took hitting out of the game and it's pretty easy. Not a ******* thing is changing my mind about that.

I enjoy watching the Steelers. That's about it. I think the rules of engagement are bullshit. Make them wear better helmets and let's get back to bringing the wood. This pass happy ***** can't hit anyone ball sucks ***.******* flags on **** that shouldn't be flagged and no flags on blatant things. Too many flags. If you're going to take away hitting you should take away the Mel Blount rule. Let's level things out a little. I won't even get started on the political ****. Football and politics don't mix.Period.

For me if I see those asshats frauds pats***** standing up with another trophy with some miracle b.s. comeback or a goal line int crap on 1st n goal when you have the best power back around ready to go. I'm done. If I ever see Steelers players kneeling for our national anthem I'm done. I'll turn that **** off and never look back. Some other sucker can take my place. I won't be missed.
 
Badcat said:
My beef with the NFL started the day Goodell burned the Spy Gate evidence and allowed the Patriots to keep their championships. The evidence was so damning that it had to be burned to protect the shield. Why was Sean Peyton removed from his coaching position for full season over bounty-gate, but belichick didn't serve a single game suspension for spy gate nor deflate gate? .
Click to expand...

Yes. I don't think the fact that the current dynasty has been caught cheating twice is helping the NFLs popularity.
 
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