Years ago I stopped watching NBA games until the final 4-5 minutes. What was the point? Oh I know there were exceptions to the rule but by and large ALL games were decided in the final 5 minutes (or less). I don't have statistics to back up this point but that was my experience. It seems to me that the same thing holds true in the NFL today. Unlike college FB, large leads early on don't always result in blow outs. The fact is usually they don't.
I am a regular viewer of "The Herd" and "Speak for Yourself". Recently the host (Colin Cowherd) made this statement: " NFL football is a television show. It is the most highly watched show (depending on the night) on television" and for good reason. The man has been in the " sports media" business for years first at ESPN and now at Fox Sports so I respect his opinion.
If what Colin said was true is it not in the best interest of the NFL to keep as many games as they can competitive until the final minute? This seems like a no brainer to me. Of course it is! The more games that remain undecided until the final minutes the higher the tv ratings and the more $$$ that can be charged for advertising. That's the reason for expansion and wild card games. The more teams alive come playoff time the better. The more games that remain competitive the more money the NFL and every team divides. It's no accident that Roger Goodell earns 40 million a year commissioning a sport that lasts 6 months. What a job!
If it seems tougher to end up in the black in handicapping games welcome to the club. IT IS! And it's by design not by accident.