There's no such thing as running up the score in the NFL

by JasonB on Oct 23, 2007 4:21 PM EDT in Philadelphia Eagles News

Brace yourselves, I'm actually going to defend the Patriots for a moment here. I came across this story on Yahoo! that I found to be a complete joke.

Are the Patriots running it up on opponents?

There's a growing sentiment around the NFL that the New England Patriots are piling on, needlessly tacking on points at the end of games to flog their opponents to a much greater degree.

Did Bill Belichick really have to bring Tom Brady back into Sunday's game at Miami, his team still up 21 points? Or how about the week before against Dallas, when Kyle Eckel plowed in from the 1-yard line with 19 seconds left to play on fourth down, the team already ahead by two scores? Wouldn't taking a knee have sufficed?

While Belichick eloquently has defended those plays, there's still a pretty good case to be made against him. The Pats could very well be found guilty of running up the score in more than a few of their first seven games.

I'll tell you why the Pats haven't been running up the score this year, because no such thing exists in the NFL. In college? Sure. When one of these powerhouses like Clemson takes on a little mid-america west team and beats them 70-14 that's running up the score. When you see one of these big high schools destroy another high school 70-0 that's running up the score. These are amateur athletes, some of which are at tiny schools with little money and few scholarships. Some colleges are almost like pro teams with their ability to spend and recruit around the country. 99% percent of those kids will be joining the workforce in a few years.

In the NFL however, all teams are on a even playing field. They all spend virtually the same amount of money on players, they all split up the same TV money, and they're all in the same top level. On a player's level, these are all highly paid pro athletes. It's not like some big bad blue chippers beating up on a division 1-AA school with no scholarships. These guys were all the best of the best at every level of football they ever played.

No NFL team or NFL player has any right whatsoever to get their feelings hurt over another team "running up the score." They are big, fast, and well paid enough to do something about it. In high school and college that's not the truth.

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Comments

Running-up the Score

I agree in general here but two things need to be noted 1) there is a general professional ethical boundary that most NFL coaches would abide by. If you were up by 21 (or more than two scores) with the ball with under a minute left and the other team has one or less timeout you don't try to score. Now, of course, that is just being smart but it is also being a good sport and not running up the score. 2) It is okay to pile on the Pats while they are crushing the shit out of everyone. You shouldn't feel like you need to defend them - loath them - it's okay. They are not your team and they are really really good - again. This piece will provide good therapy for those questioning this logic - http://kissmesuzy.blogspot.com/2007/10/ksk-guide-to-being-insufferable-hole-s.html

by Wilbert Montgomery on Oct 24, 2007 7:43 AM EDT reply actions

Sorry, I really disagree.

They may technically start on an even playing field, but on any given day, one team may just not be able to compete evenly due to many factors; injuries, etc. There is such a thing as good sportsmanship. And I don't think Bill Belichick is acquainted with it -- not only when dealing with scores, but also with post-game handshakes, etc.

by lbg on Oct 24, 2007 7:44 AM EDT reply actions

Oops! I disagree with BGN!

Wilbert's post wasn't up when I wrote!

by lbg on Oct 24, 2007 7:46 AM EDT reply actions

Dallas called a timeout...

After the previous play. That's why the Pats punched it in.

by rhy on Oct 24, 2007 8:37 AM EDT reply actions

Plus.

Why are we complaining when a Philly guy scores an In-Your-Face, soul crushing TD against the vile Cowboys?

by brooksy on Oct 24, 2007 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Complaining

Such as complaining about Randall Cunningham and his faking the taking of a knee?

by Andrew @ Bleeding Green Nation on Oct 24, 2007 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe we'll feel differently

I agree with you, but if the Pats do it to us this year, I could change my mind!

by Blackacre on Oct 24, 2007 10:02 AM EDT reply actions

just bad sportsmanship (and stupid)

sure these guys get paid tons and shouldn't go cry about it that the other team is piling it on, but the problem is it's bad sportsmanship and stupid. Dallas had no shot of winning the game, so there was really know reason to go for it on fourth down. Take a knee, who cares, then they're at their one with 15 seconds left and down 2 scores or something. or even kick the FG. more importantly, that's just plain stupid to put your star QB back when the game is locked away. Belichick said if his back up threw another INT returned for a TD it'd be a two score game in explaining why brady was in there, but why was he throwing the ball down the field with a 3 TD lead in the fourth anyways? probably to increse the margin of victory. having won 3 Superbowls, he should know well enough to sit his starters and not risk the injury. He's gonna screw up his season if he tries to pile it on against a hard hitting team, cause all it takes is one awkward fall, and Brady will be out for the year and he'll have to deal with his back up throwing INTs the whole game.

by eagleyosh on Oct 24, 2007 11:17 AM EDT reply actions

Ssshhh

don't tell belicheat brady might get hurt....

by brooksy on Oct 24, 2007 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Your Right

I am love college football and it pains me too see when teams run up the score. Now that the BCS changed the formula it has subsided a bit. But, in the NFL the players pros and I hope that the Pats or whoever would run up the score on everyteam that they want. You are completly right on what you say and I agree with you. Pro players have no excuse like the smaller college and high school teams rightly do. Thanks

by topcat6 on Oct 24, 2007 6:13 PM EDT reply actions

I guess that's why

the Eagles lost to the Bears. Andy has class and didn't want to rub it into Seal's, I mean Lovie Smith's face.

LIsten, if I'm an NFL second-stringer and I have a chance to put one in the endzone, rack up yards, whatever, I'm gonna do it.

My stats help decide my salary in the future. I'm sure coaches will look to see where yards and TDs come from, but scoring a TD never hurt anyone's career. Unless you're Jim Marshall. I know, technically it was a safety, let's move on.

I don't have a problem with the playcall if the personel is right. It's a little less of a no-go with starters in, but even then...hey, it's the NFL.

There's a line that you don't cross, but to score a TD at the end of the game, winning by 14 (to make the lead 21) isn't that bad, in my mind.

The guys on offense are professionals. Let them play. You don't like the other team scoring, then stop them.

Also, check out what the Cowboys messed up on this week at PoorSports:

http://poorsportsblog.blogspot.com/

by PoorSports on Oct 24, 2007 6:55 PM EDT reply actions

Running Up the Score

Running up the score is when you are ahead by more than 42 at half time and continue passing (no NFL team has ever scored more than 42 points in a half), or are ahead by more than 32 points at the 4th quarter doing the same (no one has ever recovered from a deficit larger than 32 with 1 quarter to play).

How soon people forget the infamous Heidi game, where the Raiders scored 14 points in the last 65 seconds of the game for the win.

by Andrew @ Bleeding Green Nation on Oct 24, 2007 8:38 PM EDT reply actions

whatever

if my team that i coach was caught filming quarterbacks and then accused of complete all out cheaters ... and being scrutinized from several teams and individual players ... i would run every play down the throat of every team that stood on the opposite side of the field ... granted i hate the pats with all of my heart, i do not blame bill one bit ...

by NorthPhillyKid on Oct 24, 2007 8:48 PM EDT reply actions