The Red King

In a game that the Rams got back in to off a bad call that somehow gave a dual-possession catch to the defense. At least the critical bad calls were split evenly.

Rams @ Saints. NFC Championship Game?

Last game Brady lost due to a critical call/no call? I'll wait. If you don't see it, you're delusional. I get it, you don't want to think something you love to watch/follow isn't influened by the NFL. It is. Bills/Bucs, Lions/Ravens earlier this season. I could go on...

Delusional? Let me repeat... " Alright, to those defending the refs, a simple yes/no question. Had the roles been reversed, had Brady and Tampa mounted a huge comeback and the play unfold identically where the Tampa reciever been mugged, can you look me in the eyes and honestly say there is any doubt there would have been a flag. Go on, I dare you. Now, two refs were looking right at it. The only change in my scenario were the QB and jerseys. Why would there be a flag there for them? Either both refs are biased Brady fans, in which case neither should ever work a Brady game again...or the refs were encouraged to nudge the game for Tampa, which is what we're suggesting." If you're going to call us delusional, I still await your rebuttal.

As I said earlier, I still follow it, but I don't watch the games anymore. I make better use of my time, and my blood pressure thanks me. As to why I still follow, it's in my blood. Football carries wonderful memories of me and my father.

It was the right call. The play showed it. The defender was beat, which would have been a TD, PI, or holding at the worst, had the refs done their job Alright, to those defending the refs, a simple yes/no question. Had the roles been reversed, had Brady and Tampa mounted a huge comeback and the play unfold identically where the Tampa reciever been mugged, can you look me in the eyes and honestly say there is any doubt there would have been a flag. Go on, I dare you. Now, two refs were looking right at it. The only change in my scenario were the QB and jerseys. Why would there be a flag there for them? Either both refs are biased Brady fans, in which case neither should ever work a Brady game again...or the refs were encouraged to nudge the game for Tampa, which is what we're suggesting. I welcome rebuttal.

And? I already said the refs nudge games. It's not scripted. For example, Bills/Jags I believe refs were told to keep it close, then let the Bills win. Bad calls kept it close, then the bad calls stopped. Bufallo had ample chance to win, and blew it. Can you honestly explain the no-call at the end of regulation coupled with the PI in OT?

50+ passing attemps and not a single defensive hold or PI? I mean that must be some amazing discipline. C'mon. Its gotta be obvious by now. The NFL wants their TB/NE Super Bowl. How do two refs stare down that 3rd down and not throw a flag? It's not scripted, but the refs are told to nudge games certain ways if they can. And it's not just the Bills. Ravens/Lions anyone? I still follow the Bills, but no longer watch. Thank god. I would have screamed myself hoarce.

It's not about ability. It's about popularity. What draws the most attention. Anyone remember when Tebow hit cult status with the sports media? This is no different. Mac is the new shiny. Should Buffalo make him look terrible, the media will move on. It's what they do.

See, this is what has me wondering. I mean, if the NFL could script a season, isn't this what they'd write? All they need now is a NE/Tampa Super Bowl.

As noted, one extra week of rest for injured players, one less game to play (with chance for injury or outright loss). All that even if you overlook homefield. Now, you might argue something like 2nd vs. 3rd or such, but top seed is very, very much worth it.

Did you even read the thread? The win/loss record has nothing to do with it. Stop reading thread titles and knee-jerk posting to them.

Thank you for the replies. Think I'm gonna try taking a step back. Not gonna watch the Jets game. Will check the score on my phone from time to time. Honestly, I already do that for the KC Royals (born in Buffalo, raised in Omaha) and the Sabres, and it seems to work well enough. Gonna have to trade in my die-hard fan card, but this might well be better for me. Thanks again!

I remember when the time between when I woke up and kickoff was torture. OMG is it 1 yet? I'll watch the pregame show, but hrrrgh! The thought of even missing the opening kickoff was blasphemy. If I had to miss a game, if possible I'd be checking my phone for updates. I was excited, regardless of how good or bad the Bills or their opponents were. This season is different. Today, it was, "Oh, wait. It's 12:55? Guess I better put the game on."

My condolences. Maybe that's part of it for me. My daughter was a fan for a couple years, but no longer. I'm watching these alone now.

That's exactly it. The losses don't bother me any more then they used to, even during the drought. Just, the wins don't feel as good as they did, resulting in a much lower baseline.

It's not more attention, just how I've felt. This isn't about how football itself is, or how others should feel. This is just a question of, if I feel this way, should I keep watching. And a question of if others may feel the same.

Actually made my point for me, thank you. Already said the highs just aren't as high for me anymore.

The KC win felt amazing. The Titans loss was crushing. As far as emotional high/lows, they equaled out. At this point the Steelers and Jags losses caused more torment then all the other wins caused euphoria. As I said, this is not just a one-game thing.

Not reactionary. Reread my posts please.

To be clear, since tone is not clear on the internet, my OP, and my responses, are not said in anger. This is not "!@#$ these !#$%@ pieces of !@#$%!!! Why the !@#$ do I even watch?!?". No, this is quiet reflection, and an honest question for something I've felt all season actually, just brought into focus again today.

As I said, wasn't just this game. Felt the same before this one started. This isn't just a reaction to one game. The lows feel just as low to me, the highs not as high. I know what the '90s felt like. I know what the drought felt like. Today was not the start of feeling it. It simply brought the question up in my head again.

Yeah, call it a potential overreaction to today, but even before the game started, watching felt like a chore, not a boon. Football meant everything to me. It was quality time with my dad, who taught me all about it. One of my best memories of my dad was being together at the stadium for The Comeback. It was in my blood. But now it seems the wins feel good, but the losses feel so much worse. I'm watching the games on my own now, my kids aren't into football. My stress levels are through the roof on close games. Today was miserable. A loss, bad coaching, bad playing, abyssmal officiating (for the first time I am seriously wondering if the NFL is fixed/scripted). And it's not over. This loss is going to stay with me and haunt me. I'm wondering if it's worth it anymore. If the good feelings are worth the bad feelings and time commited. Yes, a Super Bowl win would be euphoric. But the odds are against that. Would anything else, even a season ending in a Super Bowl loss, be worth the time and torment invested? It's like buying an expensive emotional lottery ticket. I'm...kinda starting to think not, that this just isn't worth it. Anyone else feel the same, or at least understand?

These refs...my god... O.O

Taunting...when you failed on a stop? WTF is with these refs?