By Brandon Simmons
Proposals for Future Christmas Games
The NFL had its first attempt of taking over Christmas games this past week. The Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens played each other on Christmas Day, but was exclusively streamed on Netflix. It was touted as the NFL’ potential new foray into Christmas games to rival the NBA, which has traditionally featured a slate of games on the holiday. In addition to the games themselves, the league put together an Avengers-like production, stringing together talent from across the football coverage universe which included ESPN’s Mina Kimes sitting in on the in studio panel alongside her former ESPN colleague, and Heisman winner, Robert Griffin III while the games featured a set of analysts and commentators from both CBS and Fox. Of course, the biggest draw of all this was pop music megastar, and Houston native, Beyonce, performing at the halftime of the Raven/Texans game. The result of all of this: the NFL averaged 24 million viewers for the day’s 2 game slate while the NBA didn’t even match that with their 5 game total.
There was some good and bad things done for the NFL’s successful Christmas venture. First off, all the teams had something to play for. The Chiefs were on course to wrap up the number one seed while the Ravens and Steelers were battling for position of the AFC North lead. None of these teams were in danger of missing the playoffs so there was some competitiveness that drew people in. Second, the commentators for the games seemed to really make a focus on teaching the game to some of the casual audience. In the Chiefs/Steelers game, you can hear commentator Nate Burleson really break down certain aspects of the game that a regular fan already knows, but someone just coming across this broadcast would find intriguing. The bad things that happened weren’t necessarily the NFL’s fault, but obviously it was the blowouts. As mentioned, these two teams looked competitive on paper but on the field was a different result.
The NFL made a huge statement with their first holiday event. Going forward, they should probably make this flex game eligible, to ensure that the competiveness will be there. In the past, when the NFL schedule fell on Christmas, most of the games they had were nowhere close to being competitive; just a handful of them. As far as talent, consider switching it around with different former players, either as in game analysts or in the studio. Make it an announcement to get some excitement built around it. It’s Christmas time, and everybody is full of nostalgia, so strike that chord with everyone in the living room – or wherever in the house – watching the broadcast. The NFL’s Christmas pageant deemed pretty worthy in ita first year, so let’s see how it goes moving forward.
What Does the Packers/Vikings game Say about Either Team?
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in a crucial NFC showdown. Vikings QB Sam Darnold showed out with a career high 377 passing yards while also throwing for 3 touchdowns. Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson led the team with 8 catches for 92 yards while his teammate, wide receiver Jalen Nailor, had 5 catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. The Packers let the game get away from but tried to put up a small comeback in the 4th quarter that fell short. Green Bay QB Jordan Love threw 19 of 30 for 185 yards. Minnesota’s win sets up a Sunday Night matchup with the Detroit Lions for the NFC North and number one seed in the playoffs.
The main takeaway from this game is that the Vikings have kin of solidified themselves as title contenders. Darnold has went from a questionable backup who might be riding the wave of the defense but the tables have turned. Darnold has truly overachieved this season, placing the Vikings in favorable position for a title run. Aside from that, this team is just coached well. Vikings head coach Kevin O’ Connell has earned the title of “QB Whisperer”, but also should be credited with keeping this team competitive. It’ not that a journeyman quarterback can’t come in and lead a team to the postseason, it’s that Sam Darnold couldn’t do that until he arrived in Minnesota. The Vikings are literally a team of destiny right now, so don’t be surprised if their destination ends up being the Super Bowl.
Eric Dickerson Ain’t Wrong
Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson did not mince his feelings about Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley attempting to break his single season rushing yards record. Dickerson told the L.A. Times that he won’t be mad if the record gets broken but he absolutely does not want his record to be broken. Some people may view this as him being a hater, but this is a respectable move here. Dickerson has held this record for a long time, probably to the extent that it precedes who he is. So it’s a precious aspect of his career, and life, that he wants to hold on to, because he worked hard for that achievement. There is nothing wrong with that, non whatsoever. It’s better for him to express these thoughts than to hide them and any well wishes he has comes off as disingenuous.
Shoutouts/Shutouts
Shout out to Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz for getting his paper for the season. Sunday, in a win against the Atlanta Falcons, Ertz ‘s performance of 6 catches for 72 yards and 2 touchdowns got him $750,000 in incentives. The money was triggered by season totals for receptions going over 60(61) touchdown catches going over 6 and 600 receiving yards (610). Quite the late Christmas present anyone could receive.
Shut out to Aaron Rodgers for committing a weird penalty for a QB. Sunday, during a loss to to the Buffalo Bills, Rodgers threw an interception and chased the defender out of bounds. He attempted make a legal inbouds tackle but actually touched the defender when he was put of bounds. It was just another play typical of the abysmal season with Rodgers as the Jets QB.
We are now at the final week of the season, Week 18, and only one game really matters. The Minnesota Vikings will visit the Detroit Lions for essentially everything, as the winner will get the NFC North title and the number one seed in the NFC. The loser will be the 5th seed, but a very dangerous 5th seed. But until then…I’ll holla.
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