*FAN SUBMISSION by Gene Vitale of Plymouth, MA.*
Courtesy: NFL/Examiner.com
Ok, so everybody thought that the NFL took some hits this year with flat out bad officiating (and not from replacements), the continuation of the whole concussion issue, and multiple injuries to its marquee players at which some would argue is a result of low hits in answer to not having to write checks to Roger Goodell for head shots. Oh but you football neophytes underestimate the power of the shield! Just when you think you have some chinks in the armor they deal you week 17.
I am a longtime football fanatic and cannot remember a regular season finale with so many meaningful games. Of the 16 games played an amazing 13 had playoff implications! I am on the east coast and if I find 1 good game to watch at 4:00 I consider myself lucky – enter week 17, try 7! I could almost justify the cost of my NFL Sunday ticket (subscribers who know what it cost will understand why I say almost!)
Who said parody is bad for the game? This was a gift from the pigskin gods as the perfect Segway into the five best weeks of football, ok four if we take out the off week between the Super Bowl. Does anyone really watch the Pro Bowl?
Here we go- 12 Teams 1 Super Bowl champion.
Wildcard Weekend and Divisional Championship Weekend-
Two full weekends of playoff football, over consumption of any food you can eat with your hands, and plenty of liquid libation of your choice. As a married with kids football nut this is my license to be single again!
Once the first two weeks of carnage is over hopefully you, your team, and your marriage survive and move on to championship Sunday to battle for a ticket to the big dance in NY and after an ungodly amount of time and media hype the ultimate crown for a year-
Super Bowl Champions!
Now remember that the power of the shield for the few heading into this playoff journey is only withstanding that your team is the last one standing on February 2, 2014 but until then we all have a week to relish in the thought of harnessing the power of the shield to the glory land.
Can you feel the power?
Written by Gene Vitale Freelance writer
Plymouth, Ma
