NFL is Rigged: Week 18 edition

[ToxSocks]

The CP consensus is that the NFL is rigged. Welp, as such, I think it’d be great to discuss this week’s script.

The NFL is rigged, so this should be easy. As easy as predicting a WWE In-Ring interview being rudely interrupted by a rival with a steel chair.

Call your shot, what kind of week 18 shenanigans is the NFL up to?

Las Vegas vs L.A: Which new stadium does the NFL prefer? TWO teams in L.A make the playoffs?

Will the NFL write in a tie game sending BOTH to the playoffs?

Will they sneak the Steelers in for one last hoorah for Ruthlessraper?

Or will they write in Lamar Jackson because he generates ratings?

Will they give the most prestigious player (Mahomes) the #1 seed, or do they want to see the Chiefs in the WC round for extra ratings?

[BlackOp]

Originally Posted by Athis

Ah yes...the Rams in the SB or bust season.

This is actually worse than the Triplett call...which was almost untouchable. The gold standard of rigged post-season ****ery...

I cant imagine watching your team, all season, minutes away from going to the SB at home...then the string pullers, out of desperation, reveal their true intentions.

New Orleans boycotted the SB and put up billboards...yet their stands are full again.

NFL lawyers are looking correct in the Supreme Court case....they stated that fans would still watch even if they knew it was rigged for entertainment.

[St. Patty's Fire]

Originally Posted by BlackOp

I cant believe people think official bias and base emotion have a say in this....it's about money and exploitation.

Maybe in rare occurrences...but not it's the norm.

The ones behind this are more pragmatic than that...and some owners have more sway in the hierarchy.

The ones that purchase a NFL franchise...are ALLOWED to purchase them. There is level above the owners...

Emotional response is for the fans...and of course they project this on the motives. Simple, narcissistic humans...

gotta love those ominous "..." littered throughout every blackop post

[Athis]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Falcons over Saints: Saints are done. No Brees, no star power, no Hurricane. Besides, the NFL wants to see the 49ers in the playoffs.....

LOL at the hurricane comment.. That's a bit stale..

[crayzkirk]

All favored teams win...

Titans, Colts, Chiefs, Chargers, Bills...

Not sure about the Bengals/Browns. Looks like a lot of Bengals aren't playing this week. Having them win the division a week early allows them to rest their players. Seems to have taken the excitement out of that division.

Raiders, even with Madden dying, seem just too toxic. Is Wentz that unpopular?

I'm not even going to think about the NFC. The Saints might sneak in with the 49ers playing the Rams. Just think of the headlines if the Saints were to shut out TB twice in one season!

Even if it's fixed or whatever, who cares? Sports are just another distraction to keep the common folk from seeing what's really going on.

[kccrow]

If we do go by approximate fanbase size and potential to make the playoffs, then the NFL will want SF or NO (they'll get one or the other for sure), PIT, and LV in the playoffs. JAX beating IND is a pretty far-fetched idea, so will the NFL push IND out for PIT?

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Azide22

I'm here too. I would not have said this about the NBA in the 80s and 90s. But I think you paint the NFL as I see it perfectly.

What I wish, is the NFL would put out something admitting the egregiousness of the officiating from Sundays game. Just admit it, apologize and we can move on (ish).

This. Won't. Happen.

The NFL won't to that, nor will they ever allow their darlings to ever be graded or judged in any way that's made public. That might be why you never hear about a crew being scolded, counselled, disciplined, admonished, or even admit that they were wrong, it would suggest that they aren't above their research. Other than the uproar that happened after the Rams/Saints deal, I can't recall any official/crew being held accountable for incompetency.

For a group of people who stand in judgement of other people, that seems wrong.

[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by kccrow

If we do go by approximate fanbase size and potential to make the playoffs, then the NFL will want SF or NO (they'll get one or the other for sure), PIT, and LV in the playoffs. JAX beating IND is a pretty far-fetched idea, so will the NFL push IND out for PIT?

I’m betting the Raiders this week.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[displacedinMN]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Alright, so i got:

Chiefs over Broncos in a blowout: Broncos are out of the playoffs. I considered the NFL trying to keep this game close as it's a featured Saturday game, but i think the NFL will instead opt to make the Chiefs look good heading into the playoffs.

Texans over the Titans: The NFL has been using the Texans as their upset special team all season. Henry will return for the WC round only to be eliminated. Chiefs get propped up as the top dog in the AFC, giving the NFL their golden boy #1 seed.

Jaguars over the Colts: No one cares about the Colts. Expect a multi turnover game from the Colts as they self sabotage their way out of the playoffs for the Shield's sake.
The Jags have to win this game so that.....

Steelers over Ravens: NFL gives Ruthlessraper one last hurrah as the Steelers are the surprise team that makes it into the playoffs. With the Colts losing, this puts the Steelers back in the playoffs.


Raiders over Chargers: There's simply no need for two L.A teams in the playoffs, especially when one literally has no fanbase. The NFL is promoting L.A through the Rams, and can now promote LV. This game was setup at the start of the season. The Raiders started hot, but the NFL knew they'd have to temper them down in order to make week 18 an unofficial playoff game. They forced the resignation of Gruden in order to slow them down. The Ruggs accident was incidental off field drama that only helped the cause.

Cowboys over Eagles: Jalen Hurts is a nice story, but there just isn't enough star power here. The NFL wants to promote "America's Team" with a strong showing headed into the playoffs. Expect some ref shenanigans as they don't want Dallas to run away with this one and make Philly look weak headed into the playoffs.

Falcons over Saints: Saints are done. No Brees, no star power, no Hurricane. Besides, the NFL wants to see the 49ers in the playoffs.....

Rams over 49ers: The Falcons beating the Saints makes a 49ers loss irrelevant. They can now promote L.A's super team w/o having to remove San Fran from the playoffs.

Now that you have predicted that....the NFL will change the narrative.

They are watching you.

[kccrow]

My Part II: Onto the NFC and then the Championship games and Super Bowl...

DAL @ PHI (W) - Philly wins because they want to put some doubt in the WC round by making DAL look weaker than they are, but DAL will still play the opening round at home as the 4 seed, a position they won't lose and are unlikely to gain on.

GB (W) @ DET - Green Bay rests their starters but Detroit wants the #1 pick. Just in case JAX does something crazy, the Lions throw the game in whatever ways they can and gift GB the win.

CHI @ MIN (W) - Doesn't matter, MIN wins.

WAS @ NYG (W) - Doesn't matter, NYG wins.

NO (W) @ ATL - The NFL wants the Saints in for their market size and it looks better than having SF in, putting 3 teams from the same division in the playoffs and cluster of West Coast teams. Diversity and still have alot of fans? Saints win. New Orleans in provides an easy win for the 2 seed, which will keep a larger fan base happy.

CAR @ TB (W) - This game hardly matters except Tom could pick end up a 2 seed if LA loses. They'll surely have Tom win but not until a little after ARZ to keep suspense and people watching. Plus, with a Rams win, TB would lock in on the 3 seed and the old man Tom could face the young, fresh face in Philly for a dramatic first round game!

SEA @ ARZ (W) - This game could put ARZ in the 2 seed if TB and LA lose but that's not going to happen. The Shield will have ARZ win early while dragging out the Bucs and Rams games and keep the viewers on a few minutes longer. ARZ @ DAL will provide for a great first round matchup that would feature plenty of fireworks and a dramatic rematch of a 3 point win for ARZ in week 17.

SF @ LAR (W) - The NFL wants nothing more than as many playoff games as possible in LA so you can bet your ass they aren't losing to the 49ers. That said, they'll drag this one out the longest, maybe even into OT. Game, set, match, 2 seed. The Rams will get NO but whoever does is likely going to blow them out. Might as well guarantee LA gets a 2nd playoff game rather than potentially ending up at DAL in week 1.

1. GB
2. LAR
3. TB
4. DAL
5. ARZ
6. PHI
7. NO

Wild Card Round

7 NO @ 2 LAR
6 PHI @ 3 TB
5 ARZ @ 4 DAL

I'm not even going to sugar coat any of these, the top seeds winning will keep butts in the seats for some excitement in the Divisional round. I think the ARZ v DAL game will be close throughout but the others only close through the half when LA and TB pull further and futher away.

Divisional Round

4 DAL @ 1 GB
This will be a game the NFL wants, two old teams with a bitter rivalry (especially amongst the fans). GB outmatches DAL and moves on.

3 TB @ 2 LAR
As big of a draw as LA is, Tom brings viewers. You have to feel like the NFL wants Tom vs Aaron and that's the way I'm leaning but Stafford back in Green Bay to renew that rivalry is something I can't ignore either. I flipped a coin on this one and have LA winning on a last-second FG.

NFC Championship

2 LAR @ 1 GB

AFC Championship

4 CIN @ 2 KC

Earlier I said that I would wait on the championship game until I put out my thoughts on the NFC so here we are. Two new bloods in CIN v LAR? Or the faceoff everyone has been waiting for in Aaron v Pat and a rematch of Super Bowl I? A last hurrah for Rodgers in GB?

55 years later, I'm going with what I think would be the biggest game the NFL could hope for in KC v GB. Two masterful QBs with defenses that are just good enough to make a difference but bad enough to let these two duke it out all night.

Super Bowl LVI

2 KC @ 1 GB

And then it comes down to who wins. The NFL is going to make sure this one stays close. Rodgers is a HOF QB already in the twilight of his career, so does he need the win to cement a legacy? Pat can be the NFLs next golden goose ala Brady and the NFL could leverage talk of the next great dynasty all offseason. Which do they prefer? I have to go with putting the bullseye on Pat. The next Tom everyone chases but when the chips are down they just can't catch him.

KC wins.

[durtyrute]

Originally Posted by kccrow

My Part II: Onto the NFC and then the Championship games and Super Bowl...

DAL @ PHI (W) - Philly wins because they want to put some doubt in the WC round by making DAL look weaker than they are, but DAL will still play the opening round at home as the 4 seed, a position they won't lose and are unlikely to gain on.

GB (W) @ DET - Green Bay rests their starters but Detroit wants the #1 pick. Just in case JAX does something crazy, the Lions throw the game in whatever ways they can and gift GB the win.

CHI @ MIN (W) - Doesn't matter, MIN wins.

WAS @ NYG (W) - Doesn't matter, NYG wins.

NO (W) @ ATL - The NFL wants the Saints in for their market size and it looks better than having SF in, putting 3 teams from the same division in the playoffs and cluster of West Coast teams. Diversity and still have alot of fans? Saints win. New Orleans in provides an easy win for the 2 seed, which will keep a larger fan base happy.

CAR @ TB (W) - This game hardly matters except Tom could pick end up a 2 seed if LA loses. They'll surely have Tom win but not until a little after ARZ to keep suspense and people watching. Plus, with a Rams win, TB would lock in on the 3 seed and the old man Tom could face the young, fresh face in Philly for a dramatic first round game!

SEA @ ARZ (W) - This game could put ARZ in the 2 seed if TB and LA lose but that's not going to happen. The Shield will have ARZ win early while dragging out the Bucs and Rams games and keep the viewers on a few minutes longer. ARZ @ DAL will provide for a great first round matchup that would feature plenty of fireworks and a dramatic rematch of a 3 point win for ARZ in week 17.

SF @ LAR (W) - The NFL wants nothing more than as many playoff games as possible in LA so you can bet your ass they aren't losing to the 49ers. That said, they'll drag this one out the longest, maybe even into OT. Game, set, match, 2 seed. The Rams will get NO but whoever does is likely going to blow them out. Might as well guarantee LA gets a 2nd playoff game rather than potentially ending up at DAL in week 1.

1. GB
2. LAR
3. TB
4. DAL
5. ARZ
6. PHI
7. NO

Wild Card Round

7 NO @ 2 LAR
6 PHI @ 3 TB
5 ARZ @ 4 DAL

I'm not even going to sugar coat any of these, the top seeds winning will keep butts in the seats for some excitement in the Divisional round. I think the ARZ v DAL game will be close throughout but the others only close through the half when LA and TB pull further and futher away.

Divisional Round

4 DAL @ 1 GB
This will be a game the NFL wants, two old teams with a bitter rivalry (especially amongst the fans). GB outmatches DAL and moves on.

3 TB @ 2 LAR
As big of a draw as LA is, Tom brings viewers. You have to feel like the NFL wants Tom vs Aaron and that's the way I'm leaning but Stafford back in Green Bay to renew that rivalry is something I can't ignore either. I flipped a coin on this one and have LA winning on a last-second FG.

NFC Championship

2 LAR @ 1 GB

AFC Championship

4 CIN @ 2 KC

Earlier I said that I would wait on the championship game until I put out my thoughts on the NFC so here we are. Two new bloods in CIN v LAR? Or the faceoff everyone has been waiting for in Aaron v Pat and a rematch of Super Bowl I? A last hurrah for Rodgers in GB?

55 years later, I'm going with what I think would be the biggest game the NFL could hope for in KC v GB. Two masterful QBs with defenses that are just good enough to make a difference but bad enough to let these two duke it out all night.

Super Bowl LVI

2 KC @ 1 GB

And then it comes down to who wins. The NFL is going to make sure this one stays close. Rodgers is a HOF QB already in the twilight of his career, so does he need the win to cement a legacy? Pat can be the NFLs next golden goose ala Brady and the NFL could leverage talk of the next great dynasty all offseason. Which do they prefer? I have to go with putting the bullseye on Pat. The next Tom everyone chases but when the chips are down they just can't catch him.

KC wins.

I have those exact same championship games and the same Superbowl except I think GB will win. It pains me to say that as a Chiefs fan, but it's beyond fandom for me. I don't think the league is ready to fully "pass on the torch" to Mahomes just yet. Rodgers has to get at least one more before he moves on.

[BlackOp]

Using that replay of the NO/Rams game as a reminder...the teams that the NFL wants in the SB will be in the SB. That play happened the same day as the ruffing call on Jones and the challenge overruled on the Hogan catch...then the infamous neutral zone on Ford. No one will ever convince me that if the uniforms had been reversed...that call is still made.

If last year's record breaking flag-fest SB is an indicator...the team they want to win...will win.

I made a post after last year's SB...on how paying attention to the draft was pointless. The refs can neutralize any physical advantage a team has with the simple toss of a cloth.

Chiefs had 4 DPIs in their favor in 2020...Brady/Bucs had 27.

Mahomes/Rodgers in their first ever match-up "should" be the play...but we all thought an epic Chiefs/Rams rematch was the play that year...or Brees/Mahomes....Nope...we got the lowest rated, worst SB of the last 25 years instead.

The NFL actually manufactured Jared Goff to a SB....amazing accomplishment. He's won 2 games this year...

[ClevelandBronco]

I predict that for the 17th week in a row I will not watch any NFL football.

[TimBone]

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

I predict that for the 17th week in a row I will not watch any NFL football.

How come, bud?

[durtyrute]

Originally Posted by BlackOp

Using that replay of the NO/Rams game as a reminder...the teams that the NFL wants in the SB will be in the SB. That play happened the same day as the ruffing call on Jones and the challenge overruled on the Hogan catch...then the infamous neutral zone on Ford. No one will ever convince me that if the uniforms had been reversed...that call is still made.

If last year's record breaking flag-fest SB is an indicator...the team they want to win...will win.

I made a post after last year's SB...on how paying attention to the draft was pointless. The ref's can neutralize any physical advantage a team has with the simple toss of a cloth.

Chiefs had 4 DPIs in their favor...Brady had 27.

I remember watching the SB last year and at half time I was telling some friends that either the Chiefs would make a comeback, because without the bs calls and league help, there was and is no way that Tampa is better than KC OR the flags would continue to fly and TB would win.

The whole, Tom Brady gets traded to the shitty ass Bucs and all of a sudden they are good enough to go to the Superbowl the same year where it just so happens that the SB was being played, is pure bs. This isn't freaking Disney, things, games...life doesn't happen like that.

[BlackOp]

Originally Posted by durtyrute

I remember watching the SB last year and at half time I was telling some friends that either the Chiefs would make a comeback, because without the bs calls and league help, there was and is no way that Tampa is better than KC OR the flags would continue to fly and TB would win.

The whole, Tom Brady gets traded to the shitty ass Bucs and all of a sudden they are good enough to go to the Superbowl the same year where it just so happens that the SB was being played, is pure bs. This isn't freaking Disney, things, games...life doesn't happen like that.

I was just amazed how overt is was...still am. I've been watching football for decades and have NEVER seen anything like that in a SB.

They usually make it at least watchable entertainment...that was a deliberate statement...possibly on several fronts. One...reminding Reid/Mahomes who truly runs the show and they better get in line. No more 14-1 seasons. Two...a reminder to Kraft that they do not like unwanted attention drawn to their human trafficking operations.

That is the reason Brady bailed...the powers that be were NOT happy with little Bobby.