Poll: Do you like Thursday Night Football?

[BetaV1]

The product is just so bad on Thursdays. Honestly if the Texans aren't playing in it I don't go out of my way to even watch any of it. If I'm home I might put it on for a few minutes but if I'm out I'm not rushing to get home like I do for a Sunday or Monday game. In fact I don't even recall the last time I watched a full Thursday night game.

I anticipate this poll will largely swing towards a no, but maybe I'll be surprised. The ratings are great despite the fact most of these games are typically one-sided affairs. So the poll isn't "Do you watch it?" but "Do you like it?"

Because if the vast majority of people don't like Thursday Football, then there's no real reason why it should be getting good ratings. Yeah, it's football, but it's bad football. And fantasy implications are usually minimal as it's only two teams (aside from Thanksgiving) playing and most daily lineups don't use Thursday night players.

Think about it another way if possible: If the NFL let you and solely you decide whether or not to get rid of Thursday Night Football, would you? I would. And while I know it's not going away anytime soon, I think most would too. I'm just curious to see how big that number gets.

 

[Mollywhopper]

For selfish reasons, yes. But I wouldn't be heartbroken if it were removed either.

 

[ChampionTexan]

For selfish reasons, yes. But I wouldn't be heartbroken if it were removed either.

I'm of the opinion that bad football is better than no football, so I'm in complete agreement with the first part - and lukewarm agreement with the second part.

I think the thing that kills it is the stipulation that every team gets a Thurs. night game, and therefore you have things like Titans vs. Jags and Packers vs. Lions (both still to come). Still, I'll go back to bad football being better than no football.

 

[Exascor]

I'd personally rather NFL only be on Sundays and only on noon and 3. Too much of a good thing and all that. JMO

 

[ChampionTexan]

I'd personally rather NFL only be on Sundays and only on noon and 3. Too much of a good thing and all that. JMO

THAT WOULD BE HORRIBLE!

 

[chicagotexan2]

I'd personally rather NFL only be on Sundays and only on noon and 3. Too much of a good thing and all that. JMO

That's how I feel. Leave us wanting more. That's a concept the NFL doesn't get.

 

[Mollywhopper]

Y'all would really rather not have SNF and MNF?!?! That seems madness.

 

[Scooter]

I like the Sunday Night and Monday Night games, but could do without Thursday. It's simply too short of a week for teams to practice and get healthy.

 

[Texecutioner]

Why people complain about an extra day to have the opportunity to watch football is one of the dumbest things a fan could complain about as far as the NFL goes. You always have the ability to not watch. On Sundays no one gets to watch all the games any way, so not watching on a Thursday really is no different. The idea that some people have about football only being on one day of the week reeks of old men wanting old outdated ways to stay one way just because that is what they're used to.

 

[WolverineFan]

Thursday night college games are excellent. Thursday night NFL games are brutal.

 

[Hervoyel]

I like the Sunday Night and Monday Night games, but could do without Thursday. It's simply too short of a week for teams to practice and get healthy.

I don't even like the Sunday Night game. I'd rather it be Sunday at Noon and 3PM followed by two games on Monday night with the better matchup getting nationally televised.

I miss the time when MNF was special. Now we're supposed to think "Prime Time Football" is special but it's not the same.

 

[thunderkyss]

Love it.

 

[thunderkyss]

I like the Sunday Night and Monday Night games, but could do without Thursday. It's simply too short of a week for teams to practice and get healthy.

I agree with that. They should only do it to teams coming off a bye week.

 

[Scooter]

I don't even like the Sunday Night game. I'd rather it be Sunday at Noon and 3PM followed by two games on Monday night with the better matchup getting nationally televised.

I miss the time when MNF was special. Now we're supposed to think "Prime Time Football" is special but it's not the same.

I like that Sunday Night gives me a whole day of football. I don't hold any 'prime time' significance to it, just the convenience of having games on all day and the variety that it provides (no red zone or whatever cable packages for me).

I'm right there with you regarding MNF, I still walk around the house sing Hank Jr 'with Al and Frank and Dan' on Mondays.

 

[bah007]

I agree with that. They should only do it to teams coming off a bye week.

I'm pretty sure this has been talked about. But the only way it could work is if every team had two bye weeks. And the NFL doesn't want to extend the season unless it is for adding games.

Personally, I'd rather watch college on Thursday than the NFL. The games are better quality. The short week for the NFL teams is just brutal. The game is just too physical at that level to expect two teams to be fully prepared on such short rest.

I'll sit down and watch any football game if it's good football being played. But the NFL Thursday games are rarely that.

 

[Double Barrel]

Why people complain about an extra day to have the opportunity to watch football is one of the dumbest things a fan could complain about as far as the NFL goes. You always have the ability to not watch. On Sundays no one gets to watch all the games any way, so not watching on a Thursday really is no different. The idea that some people have about football only being on one day of the week reeks of old men wanting old outdated ways to stay one way just because that is what they're used to.

I'm like you, the more football the better. The NFL is the only sport I watch, so no interest in college football, NBA, or MLB.

Same reason I have no problem if they expand the playoffs to two more teams.

 

[Scooter]

I'm like you, the more football the better. The NFL is the only sport I watch, so no interest in college football, NBA, or MLB.

Same reason I have no problem if they expand the playoffs to two more teams.

I'm the same way, NFL is my only sport. As such I'm all for more games, but not when it compromises the game and the players. I'd rather it be pushed back to Saturday. The college fans wouldn't like that much, but it would at least give teams the full week necessary to prepare mind and body.

 

[toronto]

I feel that between Sunday 1pm, 4pm, SNF and MNF our NFL needs are more than covered. I haven't seen one TNF game (other than opening week or Thanksgiving) that had the feel of must see TV. They are saturating their own product, and it will backfire. Add in the fact that the idiots at the NFLPA allowed this to happen, on top of their non-guaranteed contracts? What a circus there.

 

[Texecutioner]

I'm like you, the more football the better. The NFL is the only sport I watch, so no interest in college football, NBA, or MLB.

Same reason I have no problem if they expand the playoffs to two more teams.

Well I just don't see why anyone would want it to go away? I mean, all that it presents is one more opportunity for them to watch a game that they wouldn't get otherwise. If it's a poor match up with below average teams (Which is usually is) then don't watch. I don't watch all the Thursday games, but I loved watching my Pats last week. I got to watch them when I wouldn't have most likely on Sunday or would have had to have gone to a bar. Even if it's a bad match up, I usually go back and forth and check on the score and see whats going on. All that game would be is another game fans don't watch on Thursday that they wouldn't watch on Sunday. However, they have the opportunity to see more football. How could that ever be a bad thing?

 

[Double Barrel]

Well I just don't see why anyone would want it to go away? I mean, all that it presents is one more opportunity for them to watch a game that they wouldn't get otherwise. If it's a poor match up with below average teams (Which is usually is) then don't watch. I don't watch all the Thursday games, but I loved watching my Pats last week. I got to watch them when I wouldn't have most likely on Sunday or would have had to have gone to a bar. Even if it's a bad match up, I usually go back and forth and check on the score and see whats going on. All that game would be is another game fans don't watch on Thursday that they wouldn't watch on Sunday. However, they have the opportunity to see more football. How could that ever be a bad thing?

yep, I agree. Even bad matchups are a chance to see other teams. I got a kick out of NE last week because the national media was pumping up Miami like they were contenders, rarely mentioning that the two teams they beat are terrible. I knew NE would open up a can of whoop ass on them. So while it was not the greatest of games, I enjoy watching elite QBs every chance that I can get as a fan of the NFL.

 

[ChampionTexan]

yep, I agree. Even bad matchups are a chance to see other teams. I got a kick out of NE last week because the national media was pumping up Miami like they were contenders, rarely mentioning that the two teams they beat are terrible. I knew NE would open up a can of whoop ass on them. So while it was not the greatest of games, I enjoy watching elite QBs every chance that I can get as a fan of the NFL.

Yeah, short of...

...I can't really see why anyone would have a problem with it - unappetizing match ups and all.

 

[thunderkyss]

I'm pretty sure this has been talked about. But the only way it could work is if every team had two bye weeks.

If very team plays on Thursday night, yes. I'd throw that out the window. There would be Thursday night games starting week 5 through week 13.

 

[Marshall]

I feel that between Sunday 1pm, 4pm, SNF and MNF our NFL needs are more than covered. I haven't seen one TNF game (other than opening week or Thanksgiving) that had the feel of must see TV. They are saturating their own product, and it will backfire. Add in the fact that the idiots at the NFLPA allowed this to happen, on top of their non-guaranteed contracts? What a circus there.

ALL games should start at 1PM LOCAL time on Sunday and ALWAYS at the HOME team's field. Foreign games and prime time needs to go the way of the DODO Bird.

 

[Norg]

yes

 

[Mollywhopper]

ALL games should start at 1PM LOCAL time on Sunday and ALWAYS at the HOME team's field. Foreign games and prime time needs to go the way of the DODO Bird.

Why?

 

[Marshall]

Why?

I'm REALLY OLD school? If you have to have more, then start a league for that particular day. Football is too rough a sport for short weeks. Emphasize reruns for Prime Time games if necessary to get a quota of games, but don't sacrifice players to the "Marketing Gods."

Perhaps a new LAW.
Thursday night - 6PM starts - Jr. High/JV only
Friday night - 6PM starts - High School only
Saturday morning - 9AM starts - Peewee and children's leagues only
Saturday afternoon - 1PM local - College only
Sunday afternoon - 1PM local - Pro only

Outside this use reruns for your FIX and stop exposing players to needless danger.

 

[BetaV1]

I'm like you, the more football the better. The NFL is the only sport I watch, so no interest in college football, NBA, or MLB.

Same reason I have no problem if they expand the playoffs to two more teams.

I'm with ya for the most part about sporting interest. I do tune in for the NBA playoffs and I love March Madness. When it comes to entire sports though, nothing compares to how much I follow the NFL. And there's a reason for that...

I'm pretty sure this has been talked about. But the only way it could work is if every team had two bye weeks. And the NFL doesn't want to extend the season unless it is for adding games.

Personally, I'd rather watch college on Thursday than the NFL. The games are better quality. The short week for the NFL teams is just brutal. The game is just too physical at that level to expect two teams to be fully prepared on such short rest.

I'll sit down and watch any football game if it's good football being played. But the NFL Thursday games are rarely that.

One of the things that makes the NFL so great is how good the games generally are. Major blowouts on a weekly basis in the NFL are minimal. Most games are competitive and fun to watch.

Except on Thursdays.

Imagine if the product you see on Thursdays was how the NFL looked all the time. It would be gringeworthy. People would still watch, but people wouldn't scratch and claw their way to a television or radio like they do now because a larger percentage of the games wouldn't be very fun. Yes, they watch Thursday games because it's there. If, however, presented the option of "You can have Texans v Colts on Thursday" or "You can Texans v Colts on Sunday," practically everybody would want that on Sunday because it would produce a better game. The players would be healthier, the gameplanning better, the anticipation and fan experience much more enjoyable.

The NBA has a similar problem on its hands with back-to-backs. Ironically their commissioner openly acknowledges that playing games in such a short time period results in a bad product and they're taking aim to correct it. They play 82 games in a season so a single game doesn't carry the importance as it does in the NFL, but even the NBA is saying a few terrible games a year is too harmful to the entire product. It's not fair to the players and it's not fair to the fans.

Well I just don't see why anyone would want it to go away? I mean, all that it presents is one more opportunity for them to watch a game that they wouldn't get otherwise. If it's a poor match up with below average teams (Which is usually is) then don't watch. I don't watch all the Thursday games, but I loved watching my Pats last week. I got to watch them when I wouldn't have most likely on Sunday or would have had to have gone to a bar. Even if it's a bad match up, I usually go back and forth and check on the score and see whats going on. All that game would be is another game fans don't watch on Thursday that they wouldn't watch on Sunday. However, they have the opportunity to see more football. How could that ever be a bad thing?

It could be a bad thing when the game you're getting isn't the game it could have been.

I hear ya about simply not watching. And largely I don't as I don't plan my schedule around it. I think you're forgetting about ticket holders though and it's a lot harder for them to "not watch." They pay the same amount of money for their Thursday game as they do for their Sunday game, but the quality is well below what they're paying for. It's like going to a fancy steakhouse and ordering a New York cut only to have your waiter bring you a hot dog cut in half and calling it the House Special. Only thing is you can't get a refund.

 

[xtruroyaltyx]

I love Thursday night football and I don't feel like it's over saturated at all. When I do watch it's like bonus football. Monday and Sunday night don't have that same "Bonus" feel to me.

I've even been tuning in a little early to watch those over seas games on Sunday mornings.

I do watch other sports, mainly NBA. I'm a huge Rockets game and they basically play every other day. Every time you roll over they are playing a game. And I watch and enjoy each and every one of them. I follow other NBA goings on as well. I watch the stros a little. College football here and there.

Now, if it were deemed unsafe for the players because of the short week...so be it. Take it away. I know a few players have said they don't like it despite having extended rest on the back end.

 

[Mollywhopper]

I'm REALLY OLD school? If you have to have more, then start a league for that particular day. Football is too rough a sport for short weeks. Emphasize reruns for Prime Time games if necessary to get a quota of games, but don't sacrifice players to the "Marketing Gods."

Perhaps a new LAW.
Thursday night - 6PM starts - Jr. High/JV only
Friday night - 6PM starts - High School only
Saturday morning - 9AM starts - Peewee and children's leagues only
Saturday afternoon - 1PM local - College only
Sunday afternoon - 1PM local - Pro only

Outside this use reruns for your FIX and stop exposing players to needless danger.

L...O...L...

 

[TexasCowboy]

I'd think any chance to see your "team" is a good thing unless the season
isn't worth watching then Thursday night games are much easier to swallow
in terms of getting it over with right, quick and in a hurry

 

[Double Barrel]

I love Thursday night football and I don't feel like it's over saturated at all. When I do watch it's like bonus football. Monday and Sunday night don't have that same "Bonus" feel to me.

I've even been tuning in a little early to watch those over seas games on Sunday mornings.

I do watch other sports, mainly NBA. I'm a huge Rockets game and they basically play every other day. Every time you roll over they are playing a game. And I watch and enjoy each and every one of them. I follow other NBA goings on as well. I watch the stros a little. College football here and there.

Now, if it were deemed unsafe for the players because of the short week...so be it. Take it away. I know a few players have said they don't like it despite having extended rest on the back end.

You nailed it with the bonus game. I've never thought of it that way, but it has the same feel for me, as well.

I get the concerns about player safety. I think the idea of having teams play Thursday night after a bye week is a good idea. There will be some parts of the season where this doesn't work out, mainly first and last weeks, but it is doable.

 

[IDEXAN]

Absolutely !

 

[False Start]

Not at all. It just doesn't seem right.

 

[Texecutioner]

yep, I agree. Even bad matchups are a chance to see other teams. I got a kick out of NE last week because the national media was pumping up Miami like they were contenders, rarely mentioning that the two teams they beat are terrible. I knew NE would open up a can of whoop ass on them. So while it was not the greatest of games, I enjoy watching elite QBs every chance that I can get as a fan of the NFL.

Yeah, and if you didn't watch how would that have been any different than if you didn't watch some 3 PM game that wasn't televised? No difference at all. You just had more opportunities to watch NFL football. But some people want that to go away and say that it is ruining their NFL experience.

 

[toronto]

For those against international games, you will be very disappointed. Its not only *not* going away, but likely only going to increase. The NFL is the only league that really hasn't cashed in globally like the other leagues, even the NHL. They want that to change bigtime with London being the starting point.

And for those that prefer only Sunday afternoon games, go look at what NBC and ESPN/Disney paid for SNF and MNF. The league's success and crazy franchise values are caused significantly by those crazy TV contracts. When garbage teams like the Jags, Titans, Bills etc are all worth more than $1B, every owner smiles and stays the TV course.

 

[Mollywhopper]

For those against international games, you will be very disappointed. Its not only *not* going away, but likely only going to increase. The NFL is the only league that really hasn't cashed in globally like the other leagues, even the NHL. They want that to change bigtime with London being the starting point.

I think the odd international game is a good thing, but anyone getting any idea about a permanent team internationally should have their head examined.

 

[toronto]

I think the odd international game is a good thing, but anyone getting any idea about a permanent team internationally should have their head examined.

No team abroad, just suspect you will see a minimum of 8 games in London next season, with a possibility of expanding to another massive market like Paris.

 

[Mollywhopper]

No team abroad, just suspect you will see a minimum of 8 games in London next season, with a possibility of expanding to another massive market like Paris.

8 seems like a pretty big jump from the 3 this and the last couple years. If it gets to 5 next year I'd be a little surprised. But I agree it's definitely expanding.

 

[Double Barrel]

Maybe I'm in the small minority of NFL fans here, but I'm looking forward to tonight's game.

The one concern that I'm curious about is potential increased risk of injuries on a short week. So, Google being my friend and all, I searched and found this:

My results indicated nothing exceptional about games played with less than a week of rest. Injuries occurred at almost exactly the same rate in Thursday night games and post-Monday night games (31 injuries in 30 team-games, for a rate of 1.03 per team-game) as they did on regular Sunday games (204 in 202 team-games, 1.01 per team-game).

It appears that Thursday night games pose no added danger to players after all.

Source

And this from a reporter that does not like Thursday night games.

So now I can watch tonight's game completely guilt free!

 

[Speedy]

Maybe I'm in the small minority of NFL fans here, but I'm looking forward to tonight's game.

The one concern that I'm curious about is potential increased risk of injuries on a short week. So, Google being my friend and all, I searched and found this:



And this from a reporter that does not like Thursday night games.

So now I can watch tonight's game completely guilt free!

What about players that were dinged up enough to not be ready to go on a Thursday, that would have been had the game been played on Sunday? Or guys playing at less than 100% going Thursday where they would have been fully ready by Sunday?

It's not just about getting injured on Thursday. Having enough time to avoid the inactive list or be able to go at 100% from the previous Sunday game has an effect too.

 

[ChampionTexan]

What about players that were dinged up enough to not be ready to go on a Thursday, that would have been had the game been played on Sunday? Or guys playing at less than 100% going Thursday where they would have been fully ready by Sunday?

It's not just about getting injured on Thursday. Having enough time to avoid the inactive list or be able to go at 100% from the previous Sunday game has an effect too.

But what about the guys who get dinged on Thursday, and would miss a game if they had 7 days to recover until the next game, but play the following week because they have 10? Or what about the guys who miss the Thursday game, and therefore are healthy for the following game, but had they played on Sunday, would would have re-injured himself for coming back a few days too early?

This is all speculative nonsense that can work in both directions.

 

[Mollywhopper]

If I had a choice between the Bengals/Browns being tonight where it's showcased and I can watch or next Sunday where it'd just be blended in and I wouldn't notice and I'd have no football tonight ... I choose to have it tonight.

And I'm talking about actually considering watching the Bengals/Browns here.

The Bengals/Browns ...

 

[Speedy]

But what about the guys who get dinged on Thursday, and would miss a game if they had 7 days to recover until the next game, but play the following week because they have 10? Or what about the guys who miss the Thursday game, and therefore are healthy for the following game, but had they played on Sunday, would would have re-injured himself for coming back a few days too early?

This is all speculative nonsense that can work in both directions.

There's reason why they play once a week.

Honestly, I really don't care when they play. I was just looking at it from a player's perspective, which it's my understanding a majority are not in favor of playing on Thursday.

 

[Double Barrel]

What about players that were dinged up enough to not be ready to go on a Thursday, that would have been had the game been played on Sunday? Or guys playing at less than 100% going Thursday where they would have been fully ready by Sunday?

It's not just about getting injured on Thursday. Having enough time to avoid the inactive list or be able to go at 100% from the previous Sunday game has an effect too.

Valid concerns, which is why scheduling Thursday games for teams coming off bye weeks would be a way to alleviate those concerns.

 

[klockWork]

That Cleveland RB, Crowell, look very talented. First time I really noticed Eifert and is impressed even if I didn't know he was among leaders in TDs.

That's why I like TNF. Even if it's not competitive I get a chance to see some player and zone in on their talents because they are getting my undivided attention. If this game was on Sunday my perspective of those kind of players would be bare-bones.

 

[Grams]

Depends on who is playing and if it is on reg TV will I watch a Thursday game. Usually do not watch. Do not have NFL Network.

 

[Marshall]

Valid concerns, which is why scheduling Thursday games for teams coming off bye weeks would be a way to alleviate those concerns.

That's the second best solution next to eliminating Thursday games entirely.

 

[Wolf]

If it weren't for college. I'd rather have a sat night game than a Thursday one

 

[texan279]

I like watching Thursday night games personally. For me it kind of breaks up the Monday-Friday grind.

 

[thunderkyss]

Tomorrow night, Buffalo@NYJets. A game I probably wouldn't get on Sunday. Thankfully it'll be on tomorrow night. Thursday.

I want to watch because both teams have stirred the interest of most fans of the game. Maybe one, or both will be relevant again. Probably be an uncompetitive affair, but who's going to be whupp'n butt & who'll be getting whupp'd?

I have no idea, but that's part of the allure for me.

Sammy Watkins, I hope he has a repeat performance of last week. I already dropped him from my fantasy team, but still... I'm down to watch a 9 catch 148 yard 1 TD game.

Karlos Williams is on my fantasy team. I hope he repeats.. even better last week's game.

& it's kinda hard not to root for Fitzmagic.