Cold Reality About NFL Games in Arctic Atmosphere

January 5, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Sunday smorgasbord: If it’s any consolation to Chicago Bears fans (and the guess here is that there might be some folks finding such solace), none of them will have to sit in brutal conditions Sunday for a playoff game, while some Green Bay Packers fans actually will at Lambeau Field against the San Francisco 49ers. So there!

Don’t try this at home (or unless you’re somewhere warm): Karen Kennedy in a bikini suits us just fine (check out her video below, too).

* Amazingly, all this weekend’s NFL playoff games that were in jeopardy of being blacked out had a last-minute rush to purchase the tickets to ensure sellouts. Of course, the NFL rule is nothing short of blackmail. It’s not quite on the level of the long-ago National Lampoon magazine cover featuring a pooch and proclaiming something like “Buy this magazine or we will shoot this dog” but close.

* The best way to get rid of the blackout rule would have been for Indianapolis not to have sold out its game (which turned into an incrdible 45-44 Colts victory against the Kansas City Chiefs. Imagine the outrage in Indy had the hometown folks been unable to witness that on their television screens. A scenario like that likely would create a scene unseen in the Hoosier state since Indiana University parted ways with basketball coach Bob Knight.

* Sure, owners want to have their stadiums filled, so they can enjoy making even more money from concessions, parking, etc. But as long as there is TV (and gambling to go along with that), NFL teams are going to be profitable before the first snap from center in the season opener. The reality is fans in the stands are essentially the studio audience adding some color to the game.

* OK, someone explain again why NFL teams in the northern part of the United States do not have domed stadiums? Other than the teams not wanting to pay themselves for such enclosed edifices. Some folks are hoping Super Bowl XLVIII in New Jersey will have weather similar to what the fine folks in Green Bay are going to experience Sunday.

* Speaking of the playoffs, was there a quarterback playing Saturday on any of the four teams that Bears QB Jay Cutler is as good as? OK, let’s rephrase that: Is Jay Cutler as good as any of the starting QBs who played in Saturday’s “Wild-Card Weekend” games? Let’s see: Drew Brees (New Orleans), Andrew Luck (Indianapolis), Alex Smith (Kansas City) and Nick Foles (Philadelphia). You might want to consult an NFL expert, but it would appear Cutler is better than none of those QBs. Better than the backups? We will give him that.

* Speaking of backups, Chicago Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy was the game’s leading scorer with 20 points (11 in the fourth quarter) in a 91-84 victory against the Atlanta Hawks at the United Center. The Bulls (14-18) have won five of their last seven. For those wondering where the Bulls might be in terms of a possible playoff berth, one word of advice: Don’t. OK, maybe two words of advice: Not now. The season is not going to end today, tomorrow or even next week. We will let you know when it’s time for such concern (hint: Try back sometime in March).

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Here is where to go for a daily dose of non-gratuitous video (thanks to the exquisite efforts of the editorial and video departments at ElliottHarris.com). We certainly hope these videos provide some warmth to those in colder climes (or anywhere else):