The NFL GAME is doomed!

[BLUTO]

The NFL has major issues that seem to be converging at once to form a cesspool of negativity. Television ratings were down last season and have been falling his year. The polarizing national anthem protests and now black-power salutes when a white player is tackled certainly are a part of the mix (Michael Bennett - Seahawks).

So is the rising price of attending the game that serves to disenfranchise the average fan. And, the growing debate over concussions and head trauma has cast a pall over the sport at all levels and led to a decline in youth participation. That’s an extremely ominous sign for football’s future.

But really, it seems to come down to a gut feeling that the games themselves just aren’t as well-played or compelling or as aesthetically pleasing as they used to be. Everyone has a theory as to why. Too many interruptions — commercials, replay reviews, etc. —- that disrupt the flow.
Too many rule changes designed to help the offense. Too much reliance on a short, risk-averse passing game, and too much conservative play-calling in general.
Too few good quarterbacks.
Too much restriction on padded practices ( which is designed to protect players health) has hampered the development of offensive linemen with their play agreed to be at an all-time low.
It seems the players have taken over the GAME. But, is it really a GAME anymore or a money-making slick media production ????

[Cali512]

Re: The NFL GAME is doomed!

The NFL has major issues that seem to be converging at once to form a cesspool of negativity. Television ratings were down last season and have been falling his year. The polarizing national anthem protests and now black-power salutes when a white player is tackled certainly are a part of the mix (Michael Bennett - Seahawks).

So is the rising price of attending the game that serves to disenfranchise the average fan. And, the growing debate over concussions and head trauma has cast a pall over the sport at all levels and led to a decline in youth participation. That’s an extremely ominous sign for football’s future.

But really, it seems to come down to a gut feeling that the games themselves just aren’t as well-played or compelling or as aesthetically pleasing as they used to be. Everyone has a theory as to why. Too many interruptions — commercials, replay reviews, etc. —- that disrupt the flow.
Too many rule changes designed to help the offense. Too much reliance on a short, risk-averse passing game, and too much conservative play-calling in general.
Too few good quarterbacks.
Too much restriction on padded practices ( which is designed to protect players health) has hampered the development of offensive linemen with their play agreed to be at an all-time low.
It seems the players have taken over the GAME. But, is it really a GAME anymore or a money-making slick media production ????

Its the annoyance of games. The NFL has become annoying to watch. Personalities are not allowed to be showcased like they used to, no one can celebrate, the violence is at an all time low. I spend most Sundays being annoyed, not just at bills games but every game. I used to only get emotional about stupid calls vs buffalo, but now I even get mad at calls vs other teams, sometimes even ones we are playing. I'm sick of penalties being called that shouldn't, and every rule to protect the player isn't that even called evenly. I'm sick of officials not letting turnovers fully play out, there is no reason to blow a play dead during a fumble because all turnovers are reviewable.


Kick returns and punt returns used to be some of the most exciting parts of the NFL. The NFL literally made Devin Hester useless if he came out now, which is so depressing to think about. There can never be another Devin Hester, its literally impossible now. If Hester just came out of the draft no one would of ever cared about him. Its amazing that the NFL can actually do this to the game. Also the NFL is trying disparately to make the passing game better and as easy as possible, but it handicaps defenses now.

Also the stupid relocating is getting out of control, and the fact that people say Jerry Jones was a major force in getting a team in LA bothers the **** out of me. Why should any owner have any say in where any other team plays? Meanwhile Jacksonville who has been a huge failure is still where they are. I've heard that the NFL is talking about a london team, which is stupid as **** and proves all they care about is money. The fact that 2 of the greatest franchises of the past 20 years were forced to move is downright sickening. STL and Oakland had a great fan bases and their fans were all over the country. I've met fans of both teams that loved their teams to death, and now the NFL used them for a marketing opportunity. Oakland may win a superbowl then immediately move to LV, which just is wrong

[alohabillsfan]

Re: The NFL GAME is doomed!

Great points from both of you! I agree 1000% on the overuse and inconsistent penalties! Now it's confusing to call a completed pass!!! It use to be easy, hands on the ball, both feet in bounds... now, hands on ball, both feet in bounds, total control of ball to ground or a football move, (whatever the **** that is). It's stupid !

[imbondz]

Re: The NFL GAME is doomed!

Only a matter of time until football is on the same level as boxing. It’ll become a niche sport. All because of the reasons you all stated above. 100% agree. My wife bought me tickets to the Bills/Atlanta game for my birthday. New stadium, ticket prices were ridiculous. If I never go to a game again I won’t care.

[Skooby]

Re: The NFL GAME is doomed!

Our team has sucked for almost 2 decades and it's boring to watch eventual losses.....

[YardRat]

Re: The NFL GAME is doomed!

Just another example of the widening gap between the haves and have nots.

[feldspar]

Re: The NFL GAME is doomed!

Gotta say that I'm getting a little sick of it too...that's all.

I have my own life. A guy catches a pass, the refs make a bad call...blah, blah, blah. My life is still what it is regardless of sporting events.

No rationale to care in the first place. Must be the cool logo on the helmet. Do they really represent my home-town? How come? They'll bolt for more money.

I don't even hate other teams that much anymore. I think the NFL will sink a bit. The elephant in the room is gambling, and to lesser degree fantasy football, which you can also wager on.

[streetkings01]

Re: The NFL GAME is doomed!

TV rating are down because fans have found different ways to watch games. Nobody wants to pay these crazy ticket prices or NFL Sunday Ticket prices for a bad product.

[alohabillsfan]

Re: The NFL GAME is doomed!

While the hip new young NFL fans love their fantasy football it does not even come close to the allegiance us veterans devote for our team!

[alohabillsfan]

Re: The NFL GAME is doomed!

Oh ****... and lastly, the announcers are horrible!

[Thurmal]

Re: The NFL GAME is doomed!

The officials are terrible and WAY too visible. Look at last night -- the best game of the year, and it gets decided on a ticky-tack offensive PI call. Not only have they ruined kickoffs with the new rule, but even if a guy actually gets a chance to return one (or a punt return) and actually breaks it -- arguably the most exciting play in all of football -- there is probably a 65% chance it's coming back on some penalty called 30 yards away from the carrier. Holding and PI calls are completely arbitrary, safeties now get penalized for breaking up passes, no one knows what constitutes a catch, you can't hit the quarterback unless you're actively in the process of sacking him, etc. Flow of the game is ruined.

[sukie]

Re: The NFL GAME is doomed!

As long as there is Vegas and Fantasy Football... the NFL will be fine. I agree on the following points:

Cost to attend is silly but with only 8 home games and 2 pre season games. I understand the prices especially with salaries being dolled out.

Concussion and parental reaction to them.. Less youth participation but it IS a payday for those with athletic talent. I feel that is valid but not a huge issue.

The kneeling and protests... Meh. Real football fans could care less.



Relocation... Only has an effect on those markets that got the rug pulled out from under them.


I feel the real reason ratings are down IS the different ways the game is viewed. Advertisers will still line up. even if ratings dropping... it was a high pedestal to fall from.

I think the entertainment level IS diminished with the rule changes but unfortunately most were necessary. physics can kill. Celebrations? Let it happen for the most part. Minor taunting? Who cares. It's a natural human reaction.

[Pennywise]

Re: The NFL GAME is doomed!

TV rating are down because fans have found different ways to watch games. Nobody wants to pay these crazy ticket prices or NFL Sunday Ticket prices for a bad product.

I believe TVratings are down because it has become a very boring product. I still get the Sunday Ticket, but I am not newrly as enthused about football as I was even five years ago.

[Mouldsie]

Re: The NFL GAME is doomed!

It's become too corporate

[Generalissimus Gibby]

Re: The NFL GAME is doomed!

I believe TVratings are down because it has become a very boring product. I still get the Sunday Ticket, but I am not newrly as enthused about football as I was even five years ago.

If the Bills had made the post season four out of those five years and made a Superbowl would you still feel this way?