ctpatsfan77

Think about it for a second--all of the handwringing over the Pats-Giants game on the NFL Network is because of the potential implications of that game. As much as Roger Goodell might hate the thought of the Pats winning the Super Bowl, having an undefeated Pats team entering Week 17 is a good thing for NFLN.

Even better still would be if both the Pats and Giants had something to play for.

But here's the nightmare scenario--what if neither team has any interest in the outcome? If the Pats are 14-1 entering that game, they have HFA. And right now, the Giants may enter that game with the 5th seed in the playoffs locked up. Granted, you then have the makings of a very unpredictable game, but it could be a #@%#fest of utter proportions, rather than the Most Important Regular-Season Game Ever IV of 2007.

Either way, I'll be watching--but will America care if neither team needs to?

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"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots

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psychoPat

cavtroop

what about the vast majority of America that doens't (or can't) get NFLN?

Seems like thats a much bigger problem to me.

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What doesn't kill us only makes us stronger...

Patsfanin Philly

That nightmare will show up when people realize that they (those w/o NFLN) can't see the Cowboys-Packers this Thursday. But, as I posted elsewhere, this is a test for when the NFL goes all pay, which I think is their ultimate goal in the future.

BelichickFan

It's not a problem, the NFLN are extra games. If they didn't broadcast the games no-one would get games at that time. The local areas get them on local broadcasts, it's not a problem, it's a bonus that some get.

Regarding the "nightmare", it's not really a nightmare, it's just a common occurence that happens with late season games. They'd love it to be a big game but would have to have scheduled it knowing there's a decent chance there would be little to play for.

patsfan209

If the Pats are 15-0 and the Giants has the #5 seed and knows that - win or lose - thats written in stone, then I definitely see Coughlin having a lot of Giants starters taking the night off.

If that occurs, Don Shula should be more ticked off at the Giants for laying down than he would with the Pats getting the last win and make history.

tailgater

I think you're way off on that opinion. This is not 'a common occurance', certainly not for a primetime matchup of 10-1 teams.

This is the first time a big game won't be broadcast nationally. Fans w/o NFLN will see the game only in very limited areas for this 'boys-Giants game.

The NFL spin machine is putting all the blame on the cable networks. Goodell confirmed neither the Pats game or any other will move from NFLN to another station. I think that means most of NE will not see the Giants game; only those viewers that get wcvb (Boston ABC affiliate) will see it without NFLN.

Pat the Pats Fan

But, isn't is harder to turn it off and then on for the playoffs. I don't see Coughin taking it easy in week 17, even if they are the #5 seed.

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A sarcastic Bill Belichick on Tom Brady's finger injury, "It's not life threatening."

BelichickFan

Well it's easy for me to say as I get NFLN. On the other hand, I get DirecTV solely for football. Most people can do the same thing. Not all, I know, but a lot who don't can. My sister is a big football fan but refuses to switch from cable. I'm sure there are a lot like her. There's things I hate about DirecTV but it's a choice I make to get Sunday Ticket and NFLN.

With regard to the 10-1 matchup, that's just how it worked out but it's still just a bonus game. It's not like on Sunday all the games will be on NFLN. Those without DirecTV get the game that's chosen for them anyway. If the Dallas-GB game were on Sunday, some would get it, some wouldn't, based on blackouts, home teams, doubleheaders, etc. Although some will get a "lesser" game on Sunday due to this special Thursday game, I still look at Thursday as a bonus game that some get as opposed to a lost game for others.

borg

The majority of America gets 5 free NFL games each week. These NFL Network games fall under the heading of the "other 12 games " that one can only see if they fork over cash...Direct TV or NFLN. Nothing has changed. I wish the media and the other blubbering fools would stop their crying about their "right" to see these "Special games". The NFL is a business, and businesses need to make money. If watching these games is so important, get the dish and pay up.

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"In the end, Belichick juiced Moss like an orange, and once all the good pulp was squeezed, he tossed Moss aside. "


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