2014 NFL Season

[Simple Torture]

A lockout or an extended strike could "kill" a league, too. The NHL really hasn't been the same since 2004, when it comes to popularity, and you could make the argument that the NFL really started to make the jump past baseball around 1994 (not sure whether that's related to the strike that year or not). But I think the ritualization around football would prevent this from happening, even if an entire season was stopped due to a work stoppage.

I'd argue that since the Hawks started the previous season 24 game win streak the NHL has had really good ratings and attendence. Though we should prob do this in the NHL thread

I think the recent success of the big markets (Boston, Chicago, LA) has really helped the league rebound. But, man, when they lost their ESPN television deal, those were some dark days. There were bars I went to that didn't have Vs.

[Simple Torture]

Like, can you imagine going to a bar and they aren't subscribed to a channel that's playing an NFL game? That'd be a sign that the league is on its way out.

[Simple Torture]

For shits and giggles:

Spoiler: show

Seahawks -6 over Packers (trust me)
New Orleans -3 over Falcolns
Vikings +3 over Rams
Pittsburgh -7 over Browns
Jacksonville +10.5 over Philadelphia
NYJ -5 over Oakland
Bengels +1 over Ravens
Bears -7 over Bills
Washington +3 over Houston
KC -3 over Houston
New England -4 over Miami
Carolina +2.5 over TB
SF -3.5 over Dallas
IDN +7.5 over Denver
NYG +6.5 over Detroit
SD +3 over Arizona

6-9-1 in Week 1. Got some clawing back to do!

Spoiler: show

Seahawks -6 over Packers
Vikings +3 over Rams
Bengels +1 over Ravens
Carolina +2.5 over TB
SF -3.5 over Dallas
IND +7.5 over Denver
NYG +6.5 over Detroit
SD +3 over Arizona
Jacksonville +10.5 over Philadelphia
KC -3 over TEN
New England -4 over Miami
Pittsburgh -7 over Browns
Washington +3 over Houston
Bears -7 over Bills
New Orleans -3 over Falcolns
NYJ -5 over Oakland

[Fuck You Jobu]

A lockout or an extended strike could "kill" a league, too. The NHL really hasn't been the same since 2004, when it comes to popularity, and you could make the argument that the NFL really started to make the jump past baseball around 1994 (not sure whether that's related to the strike that year or not). But I think the ritualization around football would prevent this from happening, even if an entire season was stopped due to a work stoppage.

I'd argue that since the Hawks started the previous season 24 game win streak the NHL has had really good ratings and attendence. Though we should prob do this in the NHL thread

I think the recent success of the big markets (Boston, Chicago, LA) has really helped the league rebound. But, man, when they lost their ESPN television deal, those were some dark days. There were bars I went to that didn't have Vs.

Did they have Backspacer?

[Simple Torture]

They only had Backspacer.

[Fuck You Jobu]

They only had Backspacer.

Simply torture

[Peeps]

[E.H. Ruddock]

My two favorites:



and

[RussellManiac12]

Remember that TD that Vinny Testaverde scored with his helmet?

That was a way worse call than the Fail Mary, and it cost the Hawks a playoff spot. Non-Seahawks fans don't ever mention it because it didn't happen on a Monday night so they never really saw it - and of course because it was 1998.

[RussellManiac12]

[Peeps]

[verb_to_trust]

That hand cramp looks like it really hurts...

[verb_to_trust]

Why are we not talking about how Goodell is a big fat liar who is probably going to lose his job?

[Bammer]

I only saw this briefly before leaving the house this morning...

BUT WHO HAS BEEN SITTING ON THIS VIDEO FOR 7 MONTHS?

Isn't that weird?

I think it's safe to say I nailed this.

[BurtReynolds]

I only saw this briefly before leaving the house this morning...

BUT WHO HAS BEEN SITTING ON THIS VIDEO FOR 7 MONTHS?

Isn't that weird?

I think it's safe to say I nailed this.

waited for the first week of football to maximize profit potential.

[Green Habit]

Man, CBS is either going to have a clusterfuck or a golden opportunity tomorrow by opening its Thursday Night Package with a Ravens home game. I'm not sure which one it's going to be, though.

[Chris_H_2]

Man, CBS is either going to have a clusterfuck or a golden opportunity tomorrow by opening its Thursday Night Package with a Ravens home game. I'm not sure which one it's going to be, though.

Over/under on the number of shots of fans wearing Ray Rice jerseys - 8

[Electromatic]

Man, CBS is either going to have a clusterfuck or a golden opportunity tomorrow by opening its Thursday Night Package with a Ravens home game. I'm not sure which one it's going to be, though.

Over/under on the number of shots of fans wearing Ray Rice jerseys - 8

I say over, I've seen this before.

[Green Habit]

I'll never forget during coverage of some draft in the mid 00s when the cameras found a guy wearing a Lawrence Phillips jersey. There aren't that many more jersey choices more despicable than that.

[@SkitchP]

I'll never forget.

That's what today's all about!