Thursday Night Football

[FedoraDave]

Okay, The Bhoy-o has a theory that TNF is always a blow-out. Aside from last week's game, which was really pretty close, he's not been wrong this season. Tomorrow the Jets play the Pats in Foxboro. So I'm anticipating a bloodbath there. What's your opinion on Thursday Night Foosball and The Bhoy-o's theory?

[Beer-lord]

The Pat's will win and win big.

[FedoraDave]

Going out on a limb, there, Paul.

[Beer-lord]

Actually, I have no horse in this race but I think Brady is playing pissed and it's showing. It's a pretty huge rivalry though and anything can happen.

[D_Rabbit]

This season the Thursday Night Games have gone as follows:
Seahawks 36, Packers 16
Ravens 26, Steelers 6
Falcons 56, Tampa Bay 14 (This game doesn't count because everyone destroys Tampa Bay)
Giants 45, Redskins 14
Packers 42, Vikings 10
Colts 33, Texans 28

Most experts believe the short week leads to more injuries and higher deficits between the 2 teams. The NFL is denying the more injuries thing based on sample sizes over the last 5 years stating the injuries happen the same as they would for regular weeks. Personally, I agree but I also believe the increase in injuries is due to the NFLPA and the rules and regulations they adapted for their practice sessions. Practices used to be much harder and intense which got your body ready for the grueling season, now they are fluff. Leading to a lot more Non contact injuries, such as Victor Cruz patella tear this past week.

As for the lop sided victories..... I think they are coincidental. Each team has the same amount of time to prepare for the game so there shouldn't be issues. A story I heard for the Redskins was that last year under Shanahan, when he had a Thursday night game coming up he would have half his staff game planning for the thursday game while the other half was preparing the team for that Sunday game so they were more prepared. This year Gruden did not do that, which lead to a blow out victory for the giants. I think it all has to do with the head coaches game planning strategy.

Knowing Rex Ryan and Belichek, I highly doubt each team won't be prepared. Being a division game and the hatred both teams have for each other I don't think it will be a complete blowout but I do believe it will be a 2 possession victory for the patriots, just based on how Brady has been playing and the defunct secondary for the jets.

[Crazy Climber]

Interesting to note in that last that every game but one could be considered blowouts. And that one close game was 24-0 at one point. There could be something to this theory. And with the Jets involved tonight, it's quite likely that more blowout evidence is 60 game-minutes away!

On a marginally-related topic, I heard a rumor that starting next year, all teams that play on Thursday Night will be required to wear Nike-designed alternate uniforms, to give the night its own identity within the NFL landscape. Possibly throwback uniforms, with the theme, "Throwback Thursdays."

[SomeGuyBrewing]

Well so far this season it seems to be leaning towards true.
Luckily, I love NFL football and today I have a lot of time on my hands.

First you need to define "Blowout". I personally would consider a blowout to be a 3 score game. Let's say 17 points.

2012
6 - blowouts
12 - close enough games

2013
4 - Blowouts
13 - close enough games

2014
5 - Blowouts
1 - close enough game

To Date:
15 - Blowouts
26 - close enough games

So far historically it not true but if this season continues with its current pattern the gap could be thinned significantly.

Most people I watch football with consider Thursday night football "garbage football". It tends to be either lopsided teams facing off or games that nobody is super excited to see

[John Sand]

Well, it's near half-time, and not a blow-out, nor a dull game. I imagine it's rating pretty well too.

[JimH]

I think that there may be something to that theory, at least early on. Early in the season while everyone is still getting into football shape it certainly seemed like the home team had an advantage. Now that the season is getting older, some of the conditioning and week to week gameplanning stuff is routine. I think you will see the scores regress to the mean, but probably will be lower scoring affairs due to the offense not getting a chance to prepare for the defense as much.

[Beer-lord]

With 9 minutes left, I can see I was wrong....no blowout.
But then again, at the beginning of the season, I thought the Saints would go 11-5. Now 7-9 is a wish.
This is prolly the best Thursday night game so far. I know their ratings have sucked so far this year.

[John Sand]

No blow-out, a razor thin victory instead. Special teams saved the day for the Pats.