Roger Goodell In Bed With Jerry Jones: Eagles Forced To Sleep in Wet Spot
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Flexible schedules are generally a good thing. We’ve had meaningful Sunday Night games throughout the entire season. Meanwhile, over on Monday Night Football, the Cleveland Browns have appeared far too often.
However, it appears as though the newest schedule changes actually alter the competitive balance of the league. Of course, the beneficiaries are the Dallas Cowboys. Who woulda thunk it?
Here’s whats been changed:
Schedule changes in Week 17.
Jets/Dolphins: moved from 1 PM to 4:15 PM on CBS.
Jaguars/Ravens: moved from 1 PM to 4:15 PM on CBS.
Cowboys/Eagles: moved from 1 PM to 4:15 PM on FOX.
Broncos Chargers: moved from 4:15 PM on CBS to 8:15 PM on NBC.
Which results in this:
I’ve listed the games for reference at the bottom of this article.
The NFL has moved the Cowboys game to the late time slot, which is absolutely ridiculous. Every game that has impact on the Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles game, and their respective playoff hopes, goes on at 1pm!
Odds are, one of the two teams that needed to win (Chicago or Atlanta) would win, and the Eagles would be eliminated, anyways. However, the NFL should have at least given the Eagles hope!
If this game were played at 1pm, the Eagles would come out and play their tails off because they still had a shot at a playoff game. By moving this game to 4pm, the Eagles are going to know their fate before they step foot on the field. In all likelihood, the Eagles are going to have nothing to play for when they take the field.
This works out marvelously for the Dallas Cowboys, who just need a win to clinch the wild card.
I’m sure the NFL is claiming to have done this for television purposes this week, but it’s clear to at least me that this is a big picture issue.
The NFL obviously wants the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs! More people will watch. The fact that the NFL can alter the schedule to benefit a team is ridiculous, and I cannot believe there isn’t more outcry on this issue.
1pm Games:
NE vs. BUF – Makes sense to keep this here as New England still has something to play for. A win coupled with a NYJ Win, gets NE the Division. A Miami win and Baltimore loss, gets NE the wildcard.
NYG vs. MIN – Doesn’t mean anything to Giants. Means a lot for Minnesota.
CHI vs. HOU – First Game in question. If Chicago wins this game, the Eagles have nothing to play for.
STL vs. ATL – Playoff Implications
CAR vs. NO – Playoff Implications
CLE vs. PIT – Maybe it means something, who knows.
OAK vs. TAM – Second Game in question: If Tampa Bay wins this game, the Eagles have nothing to play for.
TEN vs. IND – Doesn’t mean anything for Tennessee.
KC vs CIN – Dear God, the humanity.
and the 4pm games
JAX vs. BAL - Baltimore needs to win to ensure a wildcard birth.
MIA vs. JETS – Both teams still have something to play for as all of the games that matter to these teams go on at 4pm. If Miami wins, they got the east. If the Jets win, and Baltimore (4pm) loses: the Jets get the wildcard.
SEA vs. ARI – Means nothing, like seriously. Its on the West Coast though.
WAS vs. SF – Means nothing, but its on the west coast.
DAL vs. PHI – So here’s the point: This game hinges on what happens during the 1pm games.
and then:
8:15: DEN vs. SD - Good enough choice: This is for the division and doesn’t hinge on any other game, so it’s probably the best bet for the 8:15 game.