When the schedule for week 18 dropped it gave Green Bay a distinct advantage. With a prime time game on Sunday night the Packers could be heading into kickoff with an opponent whose playoff fate is already decided. If the Seattle Seahawks win their noon game against the Los Angeles Rams Detroit would be eliminated from playoff contention. Traditionally games like this would appear in similar time slots to prevent such a situation.
As one can imagine this has created quite the stir on social media and in fan circles.
Seattle fans complained about what feels like an unfair situation and others have leaned into the age old NFL conspiracy theory bin. “Of course the NFL wants to see Green Bay in the playoffs.”
Colin Cowherd took to his popular Fox Sports show The Herd to address all the NFL conspiracy theorist out there. He didn’t hold back when laughing at the ridiculousness of the suggestion.
This entire response is perfect and worth a full watch. It starts at the beginning of this clip.
Cowherd appears to be spot on with this one. Yes, the league and Fox would love to have Green Bay in the playoffs but that doesn’t change the fact that this is still the right programming decision. Regardless of how the games play out we have to face the reality, the league is driven by money and ratings. The league will always do what’s in the best interest of programming. It’s not a conspiracy theory. It’s not meant to help the Green Bay Packers. It’s just like everything else the NFL does, a business decision.
Additionally we should address motivation. Players and coaches don’t tank. There is too much on the line in terms of careers, opportunities, and money in a league where security is fleeting. Suggesting that the Detroit Lions, who have played with more heart than most NFL organizations this year, would roll over just because they’re eliminated is nonsense. Anyone who thinks that knows nothing about this team or Dan Campbell. It would be absurd not to acknowledge some sort of emotional letdown if a team is eliminated, but every Packer fan should fully expect for the Lions to show up and treat this like the most important game of the year regardless of what’s on the line. So leave your tinfoil hat and scribbled notebooks at home. There is nothing to see here.
