OT: Pittsburgh has more bridges than any other city...

[Kibitzer]

...and they need every one of them (after that KC kicker missed the field goal vs. San Diego which would have got Pittsburgh into the NFL playoffs) to accommodate all the Steelers fans leaping off these many bridges, all clutching their Terrible Towels.

 

[wire chief]

Well, thanks kib, now I'm down to just 24 questions.

 

[meyers7]

...and they need every one of them (after that KC kicker missed the field goal vs. San Diego which would have got Pittsburgh into the NFL playoffs) to accommodate all the Steelers fans leaping off these many bridges, all clutching their Terrible Towels.

It does a soul good.

 

[DishNSwish]

HATE when teams sit players in a game that impacts players for others.

KC sat 20+ regulars, including making the QB, RB, and WR all inactive.

I understand it, but still hate it.

 

[Kibitzer]

HATE when teams sit players in a game that impacts players for others.

KC sat 20+ regulars, including making the QB, RB, and WR all inactive.

I understand it, but still hate it.

Sports followers generally (and usually grumpily) accept the unwritten rules of professional sports: players are entitled to make all the money they can, when and (within reason) where they can; and owners, operating within our capitalistic society, are entitled to squeeze every dollar they can from the customers (cherished as fans but treated like suckers) -- after all, nobody is forced to pay outrageous prices for tickets, parking, or beer.

So we grudgingly accept these premises, BUT:

There is an implicit understanding that team management (owners, coaches, etc.) will put their best and most competitive product on the field or court. And what KC did was to blatantly short-change its paying customers.

And that is simply not right.

(Don't get me going about taxpayer financing of stadiums and arenas.)

 

[wire chief]

Sports followers generally (and usually grumpily) accept the unwritten rules of professional sports: players are entitled to make all the money they can, when and (within reason) where they can; and owners, operating within our capitalistic society, are entitled to squeeze every dollar they can from the customers (cherished as fans but treated like suckers) -- after all, nobody is forced to pay outrageous prices for tickets, parking, or beer.

So we grudgingly accept these premises, BUT:

There is an implicit understanding that team management (owners, coaches, etc.) will put their best and most competitive product on the field or court. And what KC did was to blatantly short-change its paying customers.

And that is simply not right

OK, but it's not peculiar to KC. Sports teams that can't change their position at the end of a season have long been doing this.
Fans will forgive if the players then can put on a better performance during playoffs.

 

[geordi]

Well, except fior Venice.

 

[Kibitzer]

Wire Chief, consider this question?

"What is the derogatory term for teams or players who inexcusably and deliberately play to lose?"​

The answer:

"Tanking."​

 

[wire chief]

Wire Chief, consider this question?

"What is the derogatory term for teams or players who inexcusably and deliberately play to lose?"​

The answer:

"Tanking."​

Tanking is a subset. Resting players for greater glory later, and employing others who will play their
hearts out is not tanking,,,and it may be good business for a few reasons.

 

[stamfordhusky]

...and they need every one of them (after that KC kicker missed the field goal vs. San Diego which would have got Pittsburgh into the NFL playoffs) to accommodate all the Steelers fans leaping off these many bridges, all clutching their Terrible Towels.

Sadly, another referee error at the end likely cost KC the game and the Steelers a playoff berth. Way too many mistakes by the refs this year. The call that probably cost KC the game on the final play of regulation should have been an easy one if the refs weren't asleep, since there was no judgement involved - simply a counting exercise that a 5th grader could do correctly.

 

[ThisJustIn]

Super sadly -- with 22 sitting, the Chefs STILL had a chance to win -- and the kicker couldn't do it.

Clearly, the officiating in the NFL needs to be overhauled. I can barely watch the games, the officiating is so bad. They're holding back the game, making it unwatchable. And, there's no accountability!