Why is it that only New England is criticized for being in close games?

Question

When any big-name National Football League team wins by say, 7 or less, it's "oh aren't they amazing, my team wins again!" But, when it's New England who barely wins, everybody starts accusing referees, the NFL in general, and there's, for lack of a better word, riots here on Yahoo Answers. I mean, let's take a look at close games other teams have been in:

Indianapolis 21 - Oakland 14 (The Colts trailed 14-13 for the majority of the 4th quarter, and scored with roughly 3:00 left)

Dallas 25 - Buffalo 24 (Possibly the worst outing Romo's ever had, but Dallas pulled it out)

Green Bay 19 - Denver 13 (This one was won in OT thanks to a bomb from Brett Favre)

Is it just me, or is a team better off being in close games so they know how to come back and win? When you're involved in blowouts, you wouldn't have a CLUE how to play a team who's actually challenging you.

Answer 1

I don't know the answer to your question but I don't think that anybody does . As far as blow-outs vs close games . I like the close games and come from behind wins much better .
Our coach here in Green Bay ( Mike McCarthy ) always says that every game is tough to win no matter what the opponents record is at the time . They are all pro teams .

Congrats on the 16 & 0 , it's a hell of an accomplishment .

Answer 2

I think New England is just as good as teams like Dallas, IND, and GB. The only difference is they had an undefeated season after a scandal. I don't think people give New England enough credit, they work and play just as hard as everyone else, they just tend to want the win and get the win in the end. Just because they trailed at one point in the game doesn't mean that their win was due to lack of calls. People need to stop hating and just except New England for what they are, a dynasty with extremely good players. Not to say that they are any better then any other teams like GB or Dallas, they just happened to have a better season, this time last year it was the Colts who were beating out NE, this was just their year.

Answer 3

Well when the Patriots started the season they were killing teams by more then 20 points. It was just natural to see them score all those points when you have a top notch WR like Randy Moss (got glue like hands ;). Then when you go into a game playing the EAGLES and win by 2 is something that I did not think would happen. Then you play the crappy Raven and almost lose. The only games that looked like a problem from lets say week 4 was the Colts, Cowboys, and Steels. All the other teams looked like push overs. So yeah when you only beat a team by 2 when they are not that good, then that is when people go wild.
P.S. They are the Pats and they are expected to beat teams big!!!

Answer 4

When the sports media starts throwing out ridiculous phrases like "Greatest Team in the History of the Sport" people are going to try to poke holes in that theory. Nobody is criticized for winning close games. All teams have some of those under their belts. It's just nobody is giving those teams the aforementioned label.

Look Patriots fans, I just proved that you CAN respond to a question without using the word "haters" in your post.

Has that replaced "wicked" in the Northeast as the non-word of choice for 2007? What happened to the literacy rate over there?

Answer 5

Do you watch the patriot games? I was watching last night and not only were there dumb calls, but there were missed calls. I think the Patriots pay off the refs. But I suppose I am not the only one that feels this way. Don't get me wrong I love a good football game I don't really care who wins and loses. As long as it is a good game. But it should also be a fair game.

Answer 6

NFL makin money off them just wit dat da*% NFL Network deal dat you have 2 buy 2 see games madden 2008 looks fake dis year and NFL iz nothing with out big name players I speak truth i get best answer

Answer 7

Maybe if the Refs would call a fair game, people wouldn't critisize.

Answer 8

I would rather see a close game, makes it more exciting..
New England is another thing... they were caught cheating. and there have been some unquestionable calls in the year with them....

Brady doesn't have any class and neither does Moss...

Answer 9

if your store is robbed an one of your workers is an ex-con, you will suspect him
the pats got caught cheating so now they will always be suspected of cheating simply because they were slimy enough to have done it before. that's what cheaters get.....lack of credibility and trust with a healthy dose of suspicion

Answer 10

its pretty simple. haters live to criticize but lets face it, there just isnt a lot to criticize the patriots about this year so they take what they can get. arent they cute though? trying to make points and arguments and stuff, just adorable.