Ah, Thursday Night Football. The bane of some NFL fans' existence. The mid-week football fix that can either be thrilling or... well, a bit of a slog. But who exactly gets the "honor" of playing on Thursday Night Football?
Let's be honest, sometimes it feels random. Like the NFL throws darts at a board covered in team logos. And whichever logo gets hit, that's your Thursday night headliner. Okay, maybe that's a slight exaggeration.
The Real(ish) Truth About Thursday Night Selection
The selection process is a bit more calculated than dart throwing. But still, conspiracy theories abound. Does the NFL have a vendetta against your favorite team? Probably not. Probably.
Popular Teams Get The Primetime Spotlight
Generally, teams with big fan bases get more Thursday night love. We're talking about the Dallas Cowboys, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and maybe, just maybe, your local squad if they're having a particularly good year. These teams bring in viewers, and viewers equal $$$.
Think about it: would you rather watch a team with a guaranteed star like Patrick Mahomes or a team battling for the basement? Exactly. The NFL knows what the people want (or at least, they think they do).
Playoff Contenders Also Make the Cut
Teams expected to make a playoff run often grace the Thursday night stage. This makes sense. You want to showcase exciting, meaningful games. The NFL wants to create the feeling of importance.
It's like, "Hey, look at these teams! They're important! You should care!" And, to be fair, sometimes we do. Sometimes. It’s like the NFL is saying, “Look at this potentially great match up on the weekend soon? Before you start thinking ahead, here is a similar matchup to tide you over!”
The "Every Team Gets a Chance" (Kind Of) Rule
The NFL tries to ensure that every team plays on Thursday night at least once. I said "tries." Circumstances vary, especially with international games throwing a wrench into scheduling.
It's like a participation trophy, but for professional athletes. "Here's your Thursday night game! You tried! Now go get some rest."
My Unpopular Opinion About Thursday Night Teams
Here's where things get spicy. I think Thursday Night Football should ONLY feature teams with awesome color rush uniforms. Hear me out!
Imagine a Thursday night filled with vibrant, eye-catching jerseys. Distracting from the often-lackluster quality of play? Maybe. But at least it would be visually appealing!
Plus, wouldn't it be fun to see who can pull off the most outrageous color scheme? I'm talking neon everything, folks. Let's get weird!
Okay, okay, maybe that's a little extreme. But seriously, give us something to look forward to! And no more Thursday night snooze-fests, please. My sleep schedule can't take it.
In conclusion, while the selection process involves popularity and potential, it’s not always consistent. And that’s okay. We just want more great football and less bad football. And maybe, just maybe, some more wild color combinations on those Thursday night uniforms.
What do you think? Who should play on Thursday Night Football? Sound off in the comments below!
