NFL Week 16 -- Football overload

Al Michaels seemed surprised the Chargers would bother to take a timeout to force the punt. Really weird reaction when something weird can happen on a punt, like, ya know, a fair catch free kick field goal. He didn't seem super plugged in in that first half. I haven't watched a ton of Al Michaels this year, so maybe that's how it is these days.

 

Good reading here on all the experiences attending NFL games.

Mine have been fine, fun. I don’t go to many. Maybe 4-5 in the last 10 years. Slightly more often when I was younger (and tickers were a lot cheaper).

Going in person is a different experience. And usually I’ve had fun because of the friends I’ve been with.

I don’t have huge desire to go at this point though. More adverse to the effort to get there. And the growing assholishness of other people. Which seems outsized among NFL fans but is apparent at many other events.

But mostly, it’s because the home NFL experience is vastly superior. The viewing experience with a nice TV and a comfy couch. Hard to beat.

 

This reminds me of covering a playoff game in the RF stands at Fenway Park and needing to use the bathroom. Made my way to the nearest bathroom in the concourse...and the urinals were a giant fucking trough. Just a bunch of Bostonians taking wicked pissahs next to one another. I mean, you DEFINITELY can't get that on TV!!!!

 

The Chargers have a franchise QB and a good HC. I can't wait to see how it all falls apart without even a Super Bowl berth this decade.

 

Two ridiculous throws/catches on that drive. Fun game.

 

They had been second in the league in points allowed per game this season before tonight, behind only the Broncos.

 

This is one of the best catches I've seen all year. The one-handed tip, the toe tap, the awareness to pull it all together. Lots of things going on there, all in about a second and a half and he looks like he's moving in slow motion — in a good way.

 

But, to be fair, got absolutely gutted four days ago by Tampa.

 

Incredible catch on that 2-point conversion.

After nearly a full season and watching as many games as I have in several years, I’ve come to an iron-clad opinion.

I fucking hate the new kickoff.

 

I mentioned it on another thread, but it's so jarring after seeing traditional kickoff on Friday and Saturday.

 

That was the first free kick I’ve ever seen. Pretty cool.