I have abandoned my love and interest in professional basketball and baseball. Growing up in the 1950’s and 1960’s I enjoyed all three major sports and learned to enjoy the NHL. However, as the “team concept” was destroyed by the desire for more money, and free agency became the norm, I ceased to follow or watch the NBA and Major League Baseball.

I was 12 years old when the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to my city of Los Angeles. I was 14 years old when the Minneapolis Lakers moved to the ‘City of the Angels.’ When my favorite teams had a bad year, the discussion was about how individual players would have ‘more success the following year.’ None of this is true today. There are no ‘teams’ in these two sports. They are individuals with two goals; increasing their wealth, and an opportunity to win a world championship.

The NFL is only slightly different. 53 players are available during every game, and it takes 53 players to win. Although free agency has destroyed some of my interest, the NFL remains a team effort. The other thing I have learned is that the ‘experts,’ including former players and coaches, know absolutely nothing about what happens every week in the games viewed by tens of million viewers.

This weekend fans had an opportunity to watch the ‘wild card games.’ On Saturday the AFC offered games between the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Texans, and later in the day the Tennessee Titans traveled to Foxborough to challenge last year’s Super Bowl victor, the New England Patriots.

The good news is that both games were competitive. The Houston Texans won in overtime thanks to the efforts of quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Tennessee Titans ended the reign of the Patriots and will face the Baltimore Ravens next week.

Here’s what I saw as I watched the games.

Buffalo played above my expectations, but the home team, the Texans, were more talented and better coached. It was one of the most entertaining games I have watched in several years.

The Patriots seldom lose at home. However, I watched a 40-year-old quarterback perform like a man who was beyond his prime. Every professional athlete must face the reality that when his value has diminished to a level where he or she is no longer to compete at the highest level, he or she must retire, and Tom Brady is no different.

Today, Sunday, the NFC games were between the Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints, and the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles.

In the early game, Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees was ineffectual. He is another 40-year-old quarterback who was obviously ‘rattled’ by Minnesota’s defense. Although they were heavy underdogs, the Vikings controlled the game and will face the San Francisco 49ers next weekend.

The late game was decided once again by the efforts of the visiting team.

Eagles’ quarterback Carson Wentz was injured early in the game, and the Seahawks controlled the results before the end of the first half. The Seahawks will travel to Green Bay to face the Packers next week.

So, what did I see as I watched the games?

First, the AFC is far more competitive than the NFC. I don’t believe that the 49ers, the Packers, the Vikings, or the Seahawks could defeat the winner of the AFC. The Ravens, Chiefs, Texans, and Titans are far more talented and better coached than any of the NFC teams. The “experts” are wrong and have no more knowledge than the average fan.

I enjoyed the games, and was pleased that the projected outcome by former players and coaches displayed a lack of knowledge about the outcome.

The Vikings and the Seahawks were most impressive. Their coaches and halftime adjustments decided the outcome of the games.

I doubt that either of the AFC winners will find success next weekend. The Ravens are the most complete team in the NFL. The Chiefs will destroy the Texans if their defense can find success equal to that of the last two weeks.

Finally, I continue to predict the Super Bowl winner. The Baltimore Ravens will raise the Lombardi Trophy on February 2^nd.

If I’m wrong; so be it. I no longer place a wager on the outcome of professional sports. I do not trust the league officials who have frequently altered the outcome of NFL games. Sorry, but actually watch the games.

Yes, I am a cynic.

“The Truth Lives Here”

Op-ed by James Turnage

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