Does the NFL as an organization spin the Pats in a negative way?

[JSn]

I know we've had ups and downs this season, but I noticed an intriguing anomaly in write-up's on games this week in our division.
Link: http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80d0370b&template=without-video&confirm=true

Notice the Bills/Dolphins write-up:

The Bills and Dolphins remain in the thick of the AFC playoff picture, sitting just outside of the wild-card spots in "If the season ended today ..." scenario. With that in mind, Sunday's contest in Canada is crucial for both teams.

Now notice the Pats/Seahawks write-up:

A 33-10 loss to the Steelers last week dropped the Patriots outside of the six-team AFC playoff field in "If the season ended today ..." scenarios. If the Patriots hope to reach the postseason, victories will have to come on the road. The trip to Seattle is the first of three remaining road games for the Patriots.

Every so often I stumble across something like this, but not usually side-by-side with something else. Have we owned the AFCE and appeared in the playoffs so much that it's in the best interest of the article-scribblers to spin these stories the way they do?

I mean, really, are the Bills honestly in contention? pffft. That said, you just gotta root for them this weekend.

Anyway, maybe not worthy of a thread, but just kinda made me go "hmm?"

 

[CheerforTom]

I think the league honestly believes most NFL fans are tired of the Patriots being dominant and are thus eager to show those fans that they aren't this year.

The reality is that I read a lot of forums with really diverse levels of fans from all over the league, and lately I've been starting to hear people mention that even when the Pats aren't all that great reporters are still eager to pile on with Spygate crap. People are getting tired of the extra attention it brings us, negative or not.

The other thing this thread makes me think of was that ridiculous NFL Network promo for the Jets game that hailed them as the good guys trying to beat the bad guys.

 

[Lansdowne]

The only thing that stood out to me was that the Pats would've been "outside the AFC playoff field" regardless of whether or not the they beat the Steelers. The Colts and Ravens won their 1 PM games and the Pats would be next in line, as they are now.

 

[Mogamedogz]

Dude... you really, REALLY should think about finding more constructive things to do with your time. Just a suggestion.

You must have tracked down every single snippet of bad press (perceived or real) about the Pats that has been put to print, talk, or sign language, since you found this forum.

 

[JSn]

Dude... you really, REALLY should think about finding more constructive things to do with your time. Just a suggestion.

You must have tracked down every single snippet of bad press (perceived or real) about the Pats that has been put to print, talk, or sign language, since you found this forum.

What are you talking about?

 

[JSn]

The other thing this thread makes me think of was that ridiculous NFL Network promo for the Jets game that hailed them as the good guys trying to beat the bad guys.

Yeah, that's very true. The thing is, we may squeak in this year and next year I think we might just own the division by the half again, if the injury bug goes and visits some other team.

 

[Mogamedogz]

What are you talking about?

It just seems like everyday you have a different link to a different person who is bashing the Pats. I’m just saying man... you’re going to drive your self crazy following all that nonsense. If they want to hate, so be it. It's still better than when we were irrelevant pre-2001. Trust me.

 

[JSn]

It just seems like everyday you have a different link to a different person who is bashing the Pats. I’m just saying man... you’re going to drive your self crazy following all that nonsense. If they want to hate, so be it. It's still better than when we were irrelevant pre-2001. Trust me.

I don't think I do. The only recent one I can think of is Kerry Special-Ed Byrne's article. Generally, I don't care too much. But when it's the FL itself, I think it's an interesting thing to wonder about, that's all.

 

[pdangle]

No, I don't think the NFL has issued any such mandate. But, we sure didn't make many friends on our way up. Players, coaches, GMs, reporters, sportscasters and the referees are all getting their jabs in now that we're down.

Just kidding about the referee part BTW. (I hope)

 

[BionicPatriot]

no they dont. I just think market wise we look better as the villian, so that's how we're portrayed.

 

[ausbacker]

no they dont. I just think market wise we look better as the villian, so that's how we're portrayed.

It pays to create rivalries and villians.

For their prolonged success, people begin to resent that which is all powerful and mighty such as our beloved Flying Elvis folk.

Given what is perceived as less than scrupulous behaviour by BB (which we all know is just a means of competitive advantange and taking the rule book to the limit), the NFL has been able to cash in on the public perception that the Patriots are an organization that has a "do what it takes no matter what" mentality.

Prolonged success since 2001 now looks like it may be starting to wain in the minds of some. Don't worry about the injury curse of this season. The wolf on the top of the mountain is going to be replaced some might feel. The Patriots greatness is in decline. It gives the other 31 franchises an opportunity to take our mantle.

I believe this is why the NFL seems to endorse our team in less than glowing terms. Something they'll have to choke on next season when TB and the injured crew finish the 2007 quest.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

The media does, but I think NFL.com has been as fair towards the Pats as you can expect. I remember not seeing the false report about taping the Rams walkthrough just before SB42 on their page although it was plastered all over BSPN, Yahoo, etc.

Thinking what they said in the OP is bias against the Pats is really reaching IMO. The game against the Steelers was a big one for us, and we went from being in great shape for the #2 seed to being on the outside looking in. That's how I probably would've worded it too.

 

[BadMoFo]

I think we have a negative perception only in the eyes of fans. Last year, while most in the media was talking about how dominant we were, a few here tried to promote all the bad Spygate crap that was written. While there was as few writers that seemed to relish on that angle, most in the media did not. Yet, you wouldn't know it by reading this site.

 

[MassPats38]

The NFL, like every other professional sport, looks for mass appeal. As much as I think the league is inconsistent in the way it dishes out fines and calls penalties, it does not benefit itself if it is caught favoring one team over another. Conspiracy theorists believing referees are told to favor a team in a game are not really thinking big picture. If the NFL game outcomes were fixed at any level, most fans would stop watching and start watching the CFL or college football as an alternative until another professional league took over for the NFL. The NFL is concerned principally with image and revenue, not who wins or loses a game at any point in the season.

The media (including NFL.com) is another animal altogether. It strives to be read/watched and cares little if a disfavored team is burned to the ground in the process. It will happily demonize a team to reach 31 of 32 fan bases because that maximizes reader count. The majority of football fans hate the consistent success the Patriots have achieved, so revelling in setbacks and failures of the Patriots and giving fans of other teams hope is a sound business decision. It is also why I generally try not to visit most anti-Patriots sites (which means most sites).

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Dudes, in the eyes of other Americans, we're this guy...

http://www.playazball.com/archives/iron sheik.jpg

 

[NJPatsfan26]

Dudes, in the eyes of other Americans, we're this guy...

http://www.playazball.com/archives/iron sheik.jpg

nice 'stach!

 

[flasox27]

When the commissioner is a former employee of our closest rival, the Jets, why would you think we would get a fair shake.

 

[NJPatsfan26]

When the commissioner is a former employee of our closest rival, the Jets, why would you think we would get a fair shake.

That is why we call him Roger "Jets" Goodell

 

[flasox27]

I am still waiting for the results of the investigation into who leaked the Pats tape to Fox TV. LOL

 

[NJPatsfan26]

I am still waiting for the results of the investigation into who leaked the Pats tape to Fox TV. LOL

Goodells wife.....

damn fox sports....