NFL Thursday Night ratings went up...

[oldrover]

I guess I just couldn't believe what I was watching and thought that the Texans would eventually show up.

"Houston? Houston? Houston?"

 

[raduray]

Was an extremely boring game, all things considered. Glad that's what the people tuning in to watch us lose received.

I was so bored I was jumping up and down, hooting and hollering, and generally exulting in my boredom.

 

[Ross12]

For once, I really don't think anti-Patriots sentiment is the story here. There isn't much "that'll take'm down a peg" satisfaction in watching a 3rd-string rookie QB get beaten.

In fact, I think it's the opposite. Roger Goodell has performed a miracle: after years of nationwide Patriots fatigue, he's turned the Pats back into fascinating, scrappy underdogs.

"How will the Patriots manage this time?" has become the most compelling storyline in the NFL. The refrain in both mainstream and social media is how utterly amazing and resilient this team and coach are in the face of unfair efforts to knock them down. That beats pretty much any other matchup out there for sheer drama.

Great point. The Patriots are getting huge respect this season from other fan bases. It's less "ugh the Pats are winning as always" and more "wow this team is truly amazing." Which is how it always should've been, but still.

Kind of funny really - his best efforts to defame a team for "cheating" and bring them back to the pack just exposed their true excellence to the world.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Other posters nailed it. They turned in to see the Pats (finally) lose without Brady. Awwwwwwwwww.

Awwwwwwwwwww turning into Awwwwwwwww Yeahhhhhh!

Go PATS!!!!

 

[IllegalContact]

It's all those people 'not watching'

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

I was expecting to see signs about whether goddell had relations with his mother. I didn't see any signs, but then, the only audience shots were pretty tight.

 

[Nikolai]

It's a good point that a lot of you are bringing up. The new narrative is one of resignation turning into admiration. I'm in the DC/Baltimore area and I've even had Ravens fans coming up to me and admitting "what you guys do is unreal" or "Belichick is the all time greatest" and even "Brady, he got railroaded...everyone is screwed this year".

I was expecting to see signs about whether goddell had relations with his mother. I didn't see any signs, but then, the only audience shots were pretty tight.

Good point. There were hardly any audience shots during the game. Wonder why...