If it gets to OT, there is quite a bit of grey area. Especially less than 5 minutes left. If the teams don’t need to win, you can’t really fault them for not calling timeouts and letting the clock run out. And OT is of course only 10 minutes now.
But if not, it’s KC on the road next week. Maybe Hill’s heel keep him out? Either way, will be another long shot. But I’m amazed with this team, and probably have to elevate Tomlin a bit. Also, 7 Big Ben 4th quarter comebacks this year, which is just ridiculous for how he looked this season.
If it goes something like the Steelers game today, I could see them doing something like kneeling out the game right at the end rather than trying the winning FG. Otherwise I think they’ll play the game straight up.
I’m indifferent, but it would be pretty cool to see a team’s playoff chance spoiled by one of the most unlikely outcomes.
Not sure there is a law against two teams not trying their best in a football game if it’s merely a strategic decision and they are not being paid to do so. I think it is akin to a running back not scoring when he could late in a game, instead flopping, letting the clock run down, and kicking an easy field goal. Basically agreeing to tie the game when it would assure each teams’ success is not match fixing, its sensible strategy. The NFL and fans will get upset, but I doubt any laws will be broken. This is just my intuition. I’d be interested to see any statutes or case law that would make this type of football strategy illegal.
Colluding to achieve a specific outcome is by definition match fixing. If one team takes a knee that’s their business. If the other team does likewise that’s tacit cooperation to achieve a specific result. Even if you empty your bench with no expectation of winning you can’t simply not play.
Yes, of course it would be collusion, but of a strategic nature, not because they were paid by a mob boss looking to make money. Regardless, are there any statutes or case law, or even NFL rules against this type of strategy?
Seems like if you play by the rules and secure an outcome favorable to your team and its fans, that should be fine.
In this case, the rules have set things up such that playing for a tie is rational and sensible. It’s certainly far-fetched to think it would be against any law.
A team allowing a running back to score late in a game and that running back flopping short of the end zone is both teams intentionally not being competitive for strategic reasons. That is accepted football strategy. It could affect the outcome of gambling lines. But I don’t think it is illegal, and would not involve Congress or even punishment from the NFL. As 3AxisCtrl indicated, the NFL rules created the path for these teams to succeed, it would be ridiculous for the NFL to punish them for traveling that path.
But in that case, both teams are still playing too win. The object is to have more points than the opponent when the clock runs out, so managing the clock so your opponent doesn’t get the ball back is a valid strategy.
This is all moot anyway, both teams appear to be out for blood.
As we would have expected with 2 divisional rivals. if it goes to OT, it’s not moot. I’d feel much better with a safety or missed extra point or something.
[quote=“muldoonthief, post:90, topic:950540, full:true”]
But in that case, both teams are still playing too win.[/quote]
In this case, both teams agreeing to a tie is still both teams trying to win, not the game, but a playoff spot. Why would you not take the guaranteed choice? Neither team gains more by winning (trying to win), but the risk increases.
This is all moot anyway, both teams appear to be out for blood.
I know. There is no way they will agree to a tie. I just don’t think it would be illegal or even against NFL rules if they decided to do so.
If only one team needed a tie to advance, and the game was irrelevant to the other team, no one would question if the playoff-bound team just kneeled to run the clock out. I think that would be the excuse both teams would use.
Laughing my ass off here, not literally, but big time. Headed to OT. Both teams should just tank in OT and go to the playoffs. Hard for Congress to prove criminal intent.
I’m going to fucking die over here.
This cannot be happening.
A tie is still pretty rare. There probably will be a winner.
But if the Raiders kick a field goal, the Chargers have no incentive to win, just juice the clock and kick a field goal themselves. A Raider field goal on the first drive is the worst result for Steeler fans.
OK, Raiders. You have it in your hands. Either win or give up the touchdown and lose. NO FUCKING TIES.
Is this not the most exciting, inexplicable, and improbable playoff scenario in NFL history? Indianapolis losing to the worst team in the NFL, Pittsburgh winning in OT, the Raiders and Chargers on the precipice of a tie, such an improbable event and the only way the Steelers can lose the playoffs?