This is the other fair side to the argument.
None of them should be in the playoffs though. Abolish divisional berths.
Well exactly, the rules are what they currently are. The Giants did their part, won their game and just had to wait.
The Texans didn't fuck around.
The 49ers didn't fuck around.
The Jaguars didn't fuck around.
The only teams that had a
legitimate Ok in my book to take the games easy were the Vikings, Lions, Jets, Patriots, Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders and Broncos. Those games truly meant nothing. There were no playoff implications whatsoever. Every other team that didn't show up and play the game shamed the league, IMO. It's as bad as that Jets game they clearly lost on purpose earlier this season.
I'm not saying you have to play your A game. If they wanted to test out Sudfeld, then fine, he should've started. But if you're in a close, winnable game, you don't suddenly bench your starter. Especially against a rival team who is about to win your division on your turf? What does that say to your players and your fans? This was embarrassing for Hurts, Sudfeld
and Wentz.
I know this is a bit off the track of the original statement which was that the Giants players should keep it to themselves, but I think it's all pretty interrelated: This isn't a league where there's a culture of throwing games. It certainly happens, but if it starts to become the culture, then we have a problem. This season felt like a possible tipping point towards teams blatantly tanking. I'm hoping it's a one-off because of the oddity to the season. So I'm glad the Eagles are getting called out and raked over the coals, and I'm glad another team is calling them out for it, because the Giants had every right to that playoff spot within the scope of the NFL rules as they currently stand.