The NFL expanded the season to 17 games in 2021. It was a money-grab. The league didn’t add an extra week of exciting professional football. If Commissioner Roger Goodell saw an extra week of division-deciding, playoff-impacting games, he was a fool. What he got, what we all got, was a week filled with games that are more like preseason games. Of the 16 games this week, a whopping three mean something to the teams playing in them. It’s been like that each season since the league moved to 17 games. There was a time when every game meant something to the teams playing in them. Teams with nothing to gain played like the games meant something. Teams played through the end of the season no matter when it came. Today, teams sit out games. Vince Lombardi is rolling in his grave. Preseason games in December and January. Thanks Roger.
The Packers are starting Clayton Tune. CLAYTON TUNE! The Packers are playing in Week 18 like it’s Week 3 of the preseason. The Vikings are playing to win. They are playing to end a disappointing season with a winning record. Considering the disappointments, that’s remarkable. Since the Vikings are playing to win in Week 18, the question this week has been: Will J.J. McCarthy play against the Packers? Right now, I’m about 85% certain that he plays. McCarthy has a hairline fracture in his throwing hand. He left the Week 16 game against the New York Giants at the half. He couldn’t grip the ball. That was evident when an unprovoked fumble ended the half. The hand is feeling better. The swelling is down. He can grip the ball. He was listed as limited in yesterday’s practice. If he practices fully today, I’m bumping my 85% guess to 100%. Until that news hits these ears, my “is he playing” on Day 1 is likely.
