# NFL Week 16 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [December 24, 2009, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447 "2009-12-24T15:14:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/141 "2009-12-29T04:47:19Z")
God I hate Lovie Smith with every shred of my being. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/142 "2009-12-29T04:50:18Z")
If the Vikings implode and end up one and done in the playoffs, are we going to be stuck with an entire summer of Favre retirement drama again? Please, NO!!! ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/143 "2009-12-29T04:51:54Z")
Well, Bears had the chance. ---
**Author:** ![UncleNito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/7cd45c/32.png) [@UncleNito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleNito)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/144 "2009-12-29T04:55:00Z")
Damn, some of us have to work tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/145 "2009-12-29T04:58:27Z")
> [@](#): > > Is this a serious question/argument? Manning played in the first 13 games because the Colts had not yet locked up the first seed. Now that they have locked up the first seed, winning more games will not do them any good. > > The Colts have made it very clear that their only goals are to win their divison and the Super Bowl. Playing Manning in the final three games does nothing to help achieve the first goal, and the Colts believe (arguably wrongly) that it doesn’t help them achieve the second either. You missed the main point of my post. I pointed out there are a number of ways to decide whether a team is succeeding or failing. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/146 "2009-12-29T04:59:51Z")
Call should stand. Thank you AD. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/147 "2009-12-29T05:00:43Z")
Wow, Peterson gives up the rock. Bears will have another chance to win it… And it’s over. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/148 "2009-12-29T05:24:05Z")
If the Pack had beat the Steelers and the Niners beat the Vikes then GB would be leading the NFC North. Two last minute passes. Oh well,. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/149 "2009-12-29T05:30:04Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > If the Pack had beat the Steelers and the Niners beat the Vikes then GB would be leading the NFC North. Two last minute passes. > > Oh well,. …and if the Steelers had just scored 28 more points this year (the total number of points they lost all seven games by, believe it or not) they might be undefeated. It happens sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/150 "2009-12-29T05:40:46Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > …and if the Steelers had just scored 28 more points this year (the total number of points they lost all seven games by, believe it or not) they might be undefeated. > > It happens sometimes. Yep, not complaining, just having an existential moment. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/151 "2009-12-29T05:49:48Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > …and the fellating of Brett Favre continues. All that’s left is for Tirico to tell everybody how Purple Jesus is just like a kid out there, jes’ chuckin’ the ball like the ol’ gunslinger he is. You forgot “playing in a sandlot while wearing Wrangler jeans…just like the regular guys!”… …Purple Jesus…LOL…sounds like the drink that Michael Jackson used to seduce Corey Haim… ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/152 "2009-12-29T06:03:35Z")
The term actually refers to Peterson, not Favre, as far as I know. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/153 "2009-12-29T06:28:13Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > The term actually refers to Peterson, not Favre, as far as I know. My understanding is that they are interchangeable, depending on who’s doing the fumbling/interceptions. But make no mistake…they both wear Wrangler jeans. In fact, so does the entire coaching staff. You think Childress and Favre have an actual football-related issue? No! Favre’s contract stipulates that everyone around him must not only coddle and fawn over His Holiness, but also wear his advertised apparel. Childress got really tired of the raspy Brokeback Mountain feel of Wranglers on his dry white ass and said something to Brett. Thus the “controversy”. ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/154 "2009-12-29T14:25:24Z")
If the games break a specific way next weekend, these could be the 4 wild card games: Steelers at Patriots Ravens at Bengals Packers at Vikings Cowboys at Cardinals (definitely the black sheep of this family) Now that’s a ratings bonanza. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/155 "2009-12-29T21:09:40Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > My understanding is that they are interchangeable, depending on who’s doing the fumbling/interceptions. Adrian Peterson was coined “Purple Jesus” long before Favre showed up. It may have even been before Favre was a Jet. As far as I’m aware, they are no more interchangeable than you can call Jim McMahon “Sweetness.” ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/156 "2009-12-29T21:44:39Z")
The NFL bylaws aren’t available publicly anywhere, are they? I’ve seen a few references to a bylaw that teams are required to try to win games that can have an impact on the standings (TMQ mentioned it in passing today). I’d be interested to see the actual text. ---
**Author:** ![Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speak_to_me_Maddie)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/157 "2009-12-29T22:12:22Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > The Colts throwing the game had significant playoff implications due to all the teams bunched up around 7-7. How would you like it if your team only got in because someone got to play against the next Jim Sorgi, or if you get kicked out because someone got a free win? Disgusting. > > Fuck that franchise. Indeed. I’m a Texans fan. And the Colts have found a way to screw us even when we aren’t playing them. The one game of the year I actually want the Colts to win and they throw it, elevating the Jets to a position ahead of my team for the Wild Card race. The reason this is unsporting is sound. My team is down a spot because a different team decided to lose on purpose. Why couldn’t the Colts have thrown one of the two games they played against the Texans? They were a sure thing for the playoffs by the second meeting. Deciding to just give up affects more than just the teams playing that game. I can’t see anyway to prevent it happening, but it should at the very least be viewed as dishonorable and unsporting. You already mentioned the upside. This sort of behavior tends to backfire, especially with the Colts. I can’t wait to watch yet another playoff choke by a team to scared to play to win. And it will happen at home in front of the fans. I will savor the staduim silence at the end of that game. For an added bit of irony, I hope it is the Jets that do it. ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/158 "2009-12-29T22:27:40Z")
I’m a _very_ cranky Colts fan, and think that the decision was made way over Caldwell’s head - I think it was Polian & Irsay. The players were NOT amused at all. Manning talks the party line, but you could see his disappointment all over his face. However, I’m only posting to share a local news story that I think brings up some interesting other points: [Ex-Lawmaker Wants Refund For Frustrated Colts Fans](http://www.theindychannel.com/sports/22082893/detail.html). But yes, I hadn’t thought about what it does to the Wild Card standings battle - so it sucks not just for Colts fans, but for the teams scrapping it out. What a boneheaded decision. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/159 "2009-12-29T22:29:13Z")
IWhile I doo not agree with the Colts decision, it is a bit of a stretch to say they lost on purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447/160 "2009-12-29T22:36:58Z")
I’m a Bears fan but the Colts are the next nearest NFL team to Chicago and as an AFC squad they aren’t really a rival. Chicago has a ton of Indy transplants and I have a ton of friends who are Colts fans. I’ve always liked and respected Manning and always sided with him in the Brady vs. Manning debates. In short, the Colts were a team I found myself cheering for quite often and one of the AFC powers that I most liked. After this horseshit decision, never again. I will from this day forward _always_ root against them and deride any Indy fan I come across. I had absolutely nothing at stake in this game yet it offended me and disgusted me. What a pathetic franchise and I hope the football gods extract vengeance on them. If Manning gets Kimo-ed in the Playoffs I won’t be shedding any tears. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-16/522447.md?page=9)