Weak 17

The NFL season just finished wrapping up week 17, which was the weakest viewing experience most fans could have had, for multiple reasons.

First, Fantasy football only runs 16 weeks, so the 17th has no value for millions of Sunday fans. Rightfully so, as all teams with a locked playoff spot will bench their players to ensure the starters are healthy for week 18. (this worked for everyone but Wes Welker of the Pats. See: Welker goes down

Second reason this week was terrible ties in with reason one. Teams sit their stars. The margin between first string and second string players is amazing.

Example: You figure the 14-1 Colts could have a decent showing against the 5-10 Bills going into week 17. They were, in fact, undefeated while they played their starters for the entire first 14 games of the season.  But in week 17 of 2009, they lost to the Bills 30-7. The Colt's backup QB, Curt Painter, understudy to one of the greatest QB's to ever throw a ball, completed only 4 passes (that's 1 completion for every 4.25 attempts!)

This was the story behind the weekend. Playoff teams shut it down early. I would imagine not even Bills fans feel good about a win like this. And how can you? "Thanks for the win, even though you weren't trying"

How about the previews of playoff round 1? Eagles/Cowboys, Packers/Cards, Jets/Bengals, maybe there would be some excitement there? Nope, they mailed it in too. Combined scores: 94-7 (Cowboys, Packers and Jets destroyed their opponents)

But, like drinking liquor, the chaser always ends the bitter taste of the shot. We should be seeing a brilliant playoff round next week.