After two days and four games of playoff action this weekend, one thing became quite clear: The NFL’s hold on the sports world is as strong as it’s ever been and only growing stronger.
It’s almost sad when you think about it from the perspective of the other sports trying to “compete” with the NFL. Sure, there’s probably enough money and time to go around for the NBA, NHL, MLB to survive well enough. But in terms of a competition, of actually trying to hook the consumer and sports fans in the way the NFL does, stop the damn fight and throw in the Terrible Towel.
Remember when Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban predicted the downfall and demise of the NFL when the league signed a new TV contract back in March of 2014?
“I think the NFL is 10 years away from an implosion," Cuban said eight years ago as the league was expanding its weekly schedule to include Thursday night games. “It's all football. At some point, the people get sick of it."
“Just watch. Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. When you try to take it too far, people turn the other way. I'm just telling you, when you've got a good thing and you get greedy, it always, always, always, always, always turns on you. That's rule No. 1 of business."
Cuban’s probably been right about a lot of stuff in his life amassing a multibillion-dollar fortune and leading his Mavericks to an NBA title. But, hey, we’re all really wrong sometimes and on this point he could not have been more wrong.
Fast forward to this weekend, last night and this January Monday morning.
Is anyone sick of football?
Lol. Nope.
Rather, a sampling of opinions on social media declared Saturday and Sunday’s NFL action maybe the best weekend of football in history.
Those inside the game and out were gushing. Men, women and children from all demographics gave a Gladiator-like emphatic thumbs up emoji to the entertainment they saw.
The four games included three decided by a game-winning field goal as time expired. The fourth and final a shootout between two of the truly great young star QBs in the game, an overtime affair that included 25 points being scored in less than two minutes at the close of regulation.
There were defensive plays in low-scoring action.
Game changing special teams plays and mistakes.
A sprinkling of snow and cold for those attracted to football being played the “way it’s supposed to be played.”
Heck, a pair of Hall of Fame, Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks may have been jettisoned into retirement and no one is batting an eye. No one is wondering what the NFL will do and or be like potentially without two of its biggest stars in Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers.
Why?
Two reasons. First, because Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow and others appear very much poised to lead the sport into its next generation of records, rivalries and entertainment.
But there’s a second, larger reason. Football is all powerful. Football is king. Football is bigger than any one man, coach, player or team.
If you have even an inkling of interest in sports and didn’t utterly enjoy this week’s nail-biting, back-and-forth NFL action that’s a you problem, nothing to do with the sport itself.
Getting sick of football, Mark Cuban? No chance. More like looking forward to our next chance to enjoy the most entertaining, addictive, universally appealing sport there is. Many fan are also actually simultaneously dreading the idea that there are only two weeks and three games left in the 2021 NFL season. Then, and only then, will some turn their attention to other sports. Sorry Celtics and Bruins, it is what it is. Even if it hurts to hear it, there truth is never mean.
Sick of football? More like sickly addicted to football.
Are we ready for more playoff football next weekend?
Of course we are. Can’t come soon enough.
Because it’s awesome.
Teams come and go. Dynasties like the Patriots fade.
Superstar players age out, even ageless ones like Brady.
But through it all the NFL is undefeated as the undisputed king of sports.
Despite what Cuban predicted and maybe even kinda hoped for almost a decade ago.
