Let's say your point is well enough taken.
Given your tech problems in trying to make it, I'll try to resume the dialogue and make it worth your time.
The author of the piece in question, like so many football writers this time of year in search of an audience, stretches the point a bit: it's either playoffs on one hand or tank the season for the #1 pick (the writer's feeble caveat notwithstanding) on the other. Isn't that what he says? That's where he loses me.
"The season will be decided in the first five games." OK so far - but stretch that into the dichotomy proffered up the author (who should know better) and there's no point in playing games six through seventeen. That's a lot of football to dismiss.
I'll only briefly reiterate my points that this young team, led by some potential Gold Jacket vets and coached by one of the most compelling young minds in football and a staff on track to reinvigorate the lockerroom and practice field chemistry, and most important - destined to gel and grow surprisingly stronger throughout the season, and we could go far, let's say, after a 1 -4 start. My argument's with him, not you.
As to your challenge to go back through NFL history and cite within your frame of reference a team whose fate was not decided in the first five games I won't do it. Instead I'll only ask this:
Did every team that started well win a Super Bowl? Certainly not. Did every team that started poorly wind up with the #1 pick? I'd have to check, but spare me the pedantry. I find it excruciating.
Another challenge might be this: How many Super Bowl winners totally tanked the critical month of November in their Super Bowl year, losing every game?
I could be wrong, but I only know of one.
I remember how heavily the sky was falling for the Rams in early December of that year; we'd never regain momentum, much less find the resiliance and determination to go all the way - but we did, right through the winning drive of that most memorable and thrilling Super Bowl.
Such things are possible. That's what the writer of the piece that started this discussion forgot.
There are reasons - lots of them - that we play the games.
Thanks for the challenge. It prompted me to think. Fun stuff, and maybe there's a nugget in the dust we kicked up.
