FanPost

Who’s crying now?

Who’s crying now is not just one of Journey’s greatest hits; it’s also the theme of sportswriters lamenting the fact that the winner of the NFC South will be in the playoffs. Boo fricking hoo.

The NFC South plays a schedule based on a formula the league has used for several years. The NFL WANTS parity. Parity is a result of the salary cap and the division realignment of 2002. Since 2008, this will be the fifth time in seven seasons in which one or more teams with better records than a division winner have been left at the playoff alter. Ironically, the honor of becoming the playoff goat team has been spread around the league. In other words, more parity.

The San Diego Chargers started this trend in 2008 by finishing with a record of 8-8. That year, the New England Patriots finished 11-5 and the N.Y. Jets finished at 9-7. Two teams with better records than a division winner were left out of the playoffs.

In 2010, the Seattle Seahawks made the playoffs with an invigorating 7-9 record while the New York Giants and Tampa Buccaneers records of 10-6 were undeserving of such an honor.

In 2011, the Denver Broncos played a home playoff game with an 8-8 record while the Tennessee Titans watched because they had a 9-7 record.

In 2013, the Green Bay Packers advanced to the playoffs with a record of 8-7-1 while the more deserving Arizona Cardinals were left out even with a record of 10-6.

My point is this. The NFL wants parity because it prevents dynasties. The NFL wants different teams to rotate through the playoffs because it makes the fan base happy. Actually that’s a lie. The NFL makes more money. The fans are buying more merchandise when their team is "playoff quality." Fans pay more for tickets than ever before. The only way to stop parity in the NFL is to stop buying merchandise and paying huge ticket prices. I won’t be holding my breath.


This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.