Viva Murillo!
The NFL playoffs is a time when fantasy owners get to see themselves in the games. The disappointment when you lose, the elation when you win -- it's all there for the players as well. You see, in weeks 15 and 16 many players don't play very hard. Sure, some teams are in the playoff hunt, but many are already headed for the post-season or have been eliminated. Some players are fighting for jobs, but they're hurt and tired and ready for the season to end. Our "Super Bowls" are another Sunday near the end of a long line of game days.
But the post-season? This is where we'll see the players acting like we do. This is playoff time, and they act like it. In Cincinnati, Chad Ochocinco was visibly dejected after the Bengals lost -- on his birthday, no less. Watching his post-game interview, he looked like he could burst into tears at any moment. Now, this is a guy who talks a lot and is a millionaire. He'll wake up tomorrow healthy and wealthy. But he's hurting right now. He wanted to win and the season is over. Whether you like him or hate him, you have an idea how he feels. On a smaller scale, you've been there.
How about Shayne Graham? He missed two field-goals, one basically a chip-shot, and those misses changed the game. He didn't even stick around for post-game interviews…and can you blame him? How chatty are you when you lose a fantasy playoff game? Now suppose you actually cost yourself the game. Maybe you made a bad lineup decision and would have won with another player. In a way, that's how Graham feels. He's partially (not fully) responsible for the loss. Again, you've been there.
On Saturday night, the Eagles looked shell-shocked in their post-game interviews. They didn't have any answers for their two-week nightmare in Dallas that turned a promising season into another disappointment. So tell me: Have you ever taken a nice winning streak into the playoffs only to have your team take a collective nap when it really mattered? If someone threw a microphone in your face at that moment, would you look confused like Andy Reid or Donovan McNabb?
You've felt like the Packers after tough losses, too. At this time of the year, football players are more than millionaires playing a game. They've thought about it all season. They desperately want their hard work to end with a trophy. They want to beat their peers. It's not really about the money at this stage; it's about being the best and the bragging rights. Sound familiar?
Of course, you've (hopefully) also felt like the winners do. Could you see the relief on Wade Phillips' face? He broke a personal winless-in-the-playoffs streak and gave the Cowboys their first post-season win since 1996 (I've heard it so much myself I don't even have to look it up). Have you ever struggled in a certain league, only to finally break through and prove you belong in the playoffs? Have you beaten a difficult league rival for a satisfying win in the playoffs? Then you've been there, too.
For once, the big league is playing like we play in our leagues. I suggest you sit back and appreciate the similarities. After all, it doesn't hurt us when they lose. Isn't that how it was for them a couple weeks ago? Enjoy the games.
You can reach Michael Murillo at vivamurillo@gmail.com.
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