I'll be the first to say that I'm somewhat addicted to NFL football -- especially with key matchups or during a critical juncture of the season. It's not something I'm proud of but there's a certain amount of anticipation I have as a fan before a captivating matchup. In most instances, we as fans don't know how the game will turn out, which indeed ads extra intrigue. Because of my viewership habits, there are several issues, suggestions or complaints that could improve the viewing of the NFL.
Sunday and Monday Night Football
The main spotlight for NFL football is on Sunday night and Monday night. NBC hosts Sunday Night Football, and ESPN hosts Monday Night Football (just a side note: I prefer the coverage on NBC over ESPN). Regardless, both games garner more viewership than a Sunday afternoon game. It’s a standalone game, so for those who love the NFL, this is an excellent way to end the day. Because of the increased viewership, players can make a name for themselves by recovering a fumble or intercepting a pass. Especially if the player is not well known, they can get the attention of the team and viewers by helping their team win. Key plays during these nights might resonate with fans, especially those gridiron fanatics. Making a name for yourself can also apply to training camp, which occurs weeks before the start of the season. If a walk-on or a utility player makes some good plays during training camp, that may increase their chance of making the team. Difference makers are things that coaches love, because taking the ball away often changes the dynamics of the game. Again, standalone games are watched by most football fans, so the next day, around the water cooler, besides discussing your home team, much chatter might revolve around a special play or a fantastic performance by one or even both teams. Optics matter, especially among these higher rated football games.
Commercialism Run Rampant?
Even though I still enjoy watching the NFL, I watch a recorded game 90% of the time. For example, if I’m creative enough, I will begin watching a game on Sunday afternoon or night that started 90 minutes ago. That way, I can skip the commercials, and while I finish up the first half of the recording, the second half is close to completion. Another option is to skip through certain plays if the action is subpar or when the game is stopped for an injury or a questionable play. If they don't stray to a commercial and stay with the game, I may skip 60 seconds to bring me back to actual gridiron action. This commonly occurs when I’m anxious to see how this game is determined.
It’s not just the regular stoppage of play but the type of broadcast commercials. Some are cute, and some include current and former NFL stars, but after seeing them five times, you have no time to waste by reviewing them again. My life would still be complete if I never saw another Geico, iPhone, beer, or gambling commercial during an NFL game. Some viewers rarely operate the remote during NFL games; they may turn to social media, including X, to read the analysis and commentary. Again, especially if I’m viewing alone, my “go-to” option during a TV timeout is to fast forward between 120 and 150 seconds. It's common to have a lot of changes in possession during an NFL game. Because of this, it's critical I keep my remote nearby.
Too Many Rules and Penalties
The game is enjoyable, although there are typically too many penalties during an NFL game. If there are too many penalties in an NFL game, what does that represent? The players don't know all the rules? Or, players lack focus during the entire game? Or, there are too many little petty rules where some officiating crews might flag where others may not? Interestingly, different officiating crews don’t always call the game as other crews. The human element is a critical part of the game. Bill Belichick, former New England Patriots coach, would learn about the officiating crew for his upcoming match and coach his coaches and players on how the game will be called. Do they call a lot of pass interference? Are they a stickler regarding illegal procedures? Are some crews more likely to call illegal men downfield, whereas others won’t enforce that rule as strictly? That approach suggests that Belichick will be uber-prepared for what may lie ahead. It would be interesting to learn if all NFL coaches prepare their teams similarly. Indeed, because of the inconsistency between officiating crews, it's a competitive advantage when players play within how the officials will call a game.
Moving on to the rules, why do we have a rule about illegal formation? Why is this rule necessary? If Team A wants six linemen behind the quarterback for a play or two, why is this not allowed? Especially if none of these offensive players cross the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped. I don’t know why this rule exists. Unfortunately, the NFL TV coverage does not provide a valid reason why this rule is on the books. (Perhaps the TV coverage is too focused on sneaking another commercial in during the actual broadcast?) Another silly rule: ineligible man downfield. Per NFL rules, only eligible receivers can cross the line of scrimmage before a forward pass crosses the line. Typically, offensive linemen, any player numbered between 50 and 79, are considered ineligible receivers (except if a lineman reports to the referee as eligible). If it’s a running play, the offensive lineman may go past the line of scrimmage to block, but what if the quarterback decides to throw instead? There’s a reason why they have this rule, you have to give the defense some advantages as they try and stop the offense from matriculating down the field. In my mind, the advantage is miniscule so to improve the viewing, this rule needs to be shelved. I’d like to see a trend at the NFL office where their focus is on improving the flow of the game and each year, eliminate once of these petty rules.
Is Roger Goodell, the NFL commissioner, interested in improving the viewing or keeping many of these ridiculous, petty rules status quo instead? I have a better solution: I want the NFL to begin eliminating petty rules -- definitely will improve the flow of the game. If this were to happen, the officiating crew could then focus on penalties that truly impact the game.
Gambling Gone Mad
Some announcers and podcast hosts recently claimed that gambling on NFL football games is as common as a legal forward pass. If it wasn't evident several years ago, these professionals now know gambling is integral to the broadcast. Some professional announcers, analysts, and fans are weary of the legal aspect of gambling in our society. Regardless of how they feel, gambling has invaded this professional game. Gambling now is an integral part of the NFL games, half-time shows, and other related shows and podcasts. In other words, those NFL broadcasters and analyst against this trend appear to be stuck between a rock and a hard place.
About 20 years ago, some NFL executives thought fantasy football would increase viewership to grow the NFL. It certainly has increased viewership, but you hear much less about fantasy football today. In 2024, it’s gambling…what’s next? Who knows, but I’m afraid it might not benefit the game and its coverage.
Some of these gambling companies include BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel, and they typically make it easy for someone to begin gambling. The number of commercials shows that there’s so much money to make. This is not a tiny operation – these gambling companies want a larger piece of the action. I don't see an upside to the average fan and society overall. There are many viewers with addictive personalities, and once they start to gamble, it can be difficult to stop pulling out their wallets preceding an NFL weekend.
Of course, some of the ads for NFL gambling sites include a disclosure that if someone has a gambling problem, there are resources available to address it. Does the NFL force gambling companies to include that disclosure to insulate itself from criticism? If I follow that logic, then why not allow 11-year-olds to drink a little wine every once in a while? If they become addicted, there are always resources available.
Half Time Show Disappointment
Half-time shows are not too much of a value ad, regardless of the network. The break between halves is generally 15 minutes, but 11 revolve around commercial ads. At half-time, most networks will go and show commercials for the first minute or two before coming back to the half-time show. They don’t want to show too many commercials after the game has stopped for intermission. I guess too much time spent on commercials before the show might cause viewers to bail for those 15 minutes. Once the halftime show commences, it’s typically around four minutes before the rest of the commercials are shown. Even though some networks have a good halftime show with good content and highlights, in my eyes, it doesn’t warrant sitting around for those 15 minutes before the third quarter commences. Years ago, networks would provide two half-time segments of analysis and highlights, but some insidious marketing executives thought they could get away with only one segment. I suspect this will never change.
The Ying and Yang of NFL Football
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