The app and game I have played the most the past two years (or so) is definitely Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. Anyone that knows me knows that I am a huge Harry Potter fan, so when this app came out in April of 2018, I had to play it. I've basically been hooked since then, but I have stopped playing the game for multiple days at a time. That is because there are certain things the developers have chosen to implement into the game that I do not like. If anyone from Jam City that has input on the Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery game reads this, please try to fix one of these things at the very least:
- Dueling
One of my biggest complaints I have with the game is the dueling. It's just a boring game of rock-paper-scissors. There's very little strategy involved. The games are clearly rigged because in a standard game of rock-paper-scissors, you would have the same move as your opponent (draw) 1/3 of the time. In dueling in HPHM, you draw only 10% of the time, if that. Worst of all, no matter what moves you select and when, you lose a little more than you win. My suggestion is to add helping items or bonuses that can give you a boost in dueling, such as healing items, tiebreakers, or extra damage. These bonuses or advantages could be earned through events and/or classes. That would increase the strategy in dueling ten-fold and make it much more fun. Or if that's too hard to do, make dueling more like an actual 1/3 shot of either winning, losing, or drawing.
- Full Marks
Full Marks events are near impossible to win. I won't go over their details in what is required to do well (and possibly win), but they last between five to seven days, so in order to get a top prize you have to be at it 24/7 for close to an entire week. Even if you are, you'll likely still remain behind at least one or two players. I am convinced some of the players on the leader board that you compete with are bots and not real players. I have read many posts and comments on Reddit about how when people see a Full Marks event, they take a break from the game because the event is just not worth it. You bust your butt for an entire week for coins and maybe some books? Not worth it. My suggestion is to have rewards for getting a certain amount of points, regardless of how everyone else does. It's fine to have the grand prize (outfit, decoration for dormitory) be a competition between players, but every other prize should be obtained from reaching a certain number of points, just like in House Pride events.
- House Pride
Speaking of House Pride events, they are not perfect, either. I like how you get rewards no matter how your team does, but getting the top prize is near impossible now. When this event first started out, it was very easy to win, and now it's impossible. No matter how often I play and get extra energy from spots around the castle, I always am behind at least one person on my team and behind at least one house for the house totals. One thing I have read is that as you progress through the game, your energy requirements to complete classes goes up. When you first play, it only takes 10 energy or so to get a star in a class. In year six, it takes 15-20 energy. In other words, a team full of first and second years can complete classes much quicker than a team of sixth years. That should not be the case; in fact, it should be the other way around. Jam City, you have this backwards. I don't know how, but somehow make it easier for dedicated players to the game like myself to win these House Pride events. Perhaps give players in later years a multiplier on the house crests earned. But we should not be penalized for being further in the game than other players. I honestly cannot remember the last time I won either a House Pride or Full Marks event.
- Story/Characters
The story in the game has severely lacked in years 5 and 6. The story gets released so slowly, it can be very hard to try to remember what was going on in the last chapter. I am getting to the point of losing interest in ever finding out who's behind this "R", if we'll ever find and get revenge on Rakepick, and if our brother Jacob will ever hang around for more than a minute. I can't remember the last time our story involved Tulip Karasu or Barnaby Lee. You've made a mockery of Tonks, whose only apparent character trait is being a prankster. And Ben Copper's character took a complete 180 and became cold and uninteresting. And you can't seem to make up your mind if Merula will ever come around, or if she's going to forever be our arch rival. And with the story being released as slowly as it is, it's extremely hard to get invested in it at all, and I find myself not really caring too much for what the characters are saying.
- Focus
Clearly, Jam City's focus in the past year or so in the game has been to try to get people to spend real life money by introducing new pets, creatures, and now dorm decorations. It seems like every time I go on the game there's a new thing to buy or try to invest books in. I know, that's how you guys keep the game running, but if you keep at this pace, people aren't going to care. The game is slowly becoming all show and no substance. Some players have realized this, and more will if you're not careful. Many apps and games have seen their profits dwindle because they tried too hard to get people to spend money and didn't focus on making a quality game. I don't feel as fulfilled with having creatures and pets as I do with a great story, interesting characters, and fun and winnable events to do. The game is at its best when the pets and cosmetics are an additional/side feature, not the main feature.
- Creature sidequests with Hagrid
Every now and then a sidequest with Hagrid will pop up involving a pet or creature. However, the most recent two are ones that make me not want to even try anymore. The sidequests require we adopt a certain pet or creature, and their requirements are insane. First, the Welsh Green Dragon, which requires 60 Red and 30 Blue Books. Blue books are extremely hard to get in the game, and getting just two or three in an event is very tough to do (usually it's the reward requiring the most amount of classes/crests). And you're asking for thirty of them!? Second, the Puppy Crup, which requires 120 Brown Books. Fortunately, Brown Books are a lot easier to obtain, but 120 of them?! And woe is me, I spent 50 Brown Books on a Streeler mere days before the Puppy Crup sidequest comes out. Figures, right? If I had known, I would have saved my Brown Books. These requirements to obtain these creatures to further our friendship with Hagrid are just insane, and they make players like me not want to even bother because it's so difficult and time-consuming to earn them. And you can't expect players to shovel out real money just so they can progress a sidequest.
- Friendship Requirements/Attribute Requirements
The requirements to level up certain friendships are insane. I'm talking about Jae, Badeea, Liz, and Fred. Having to do a friendship task 20-30 times with each to level up is just way too much. And having to spend our hard-earned coins each time just adds insult to injury. I've basically stopped doing the friendship tasks unless I'm trying in a Full Marks Event and it requires a friendship task. At least there are some friends who don't require that many points to level up, such as the three Quidditch friends (Orion, Murphy and Skye), Chiara, and Talbott (sort of).
And then the points required to level up your attributes (courage, empathy, knowledge) get insane around the late 20's. At level 29, it requires over 17,000 points?! Are you kidding me? I'd say the average net for an attribute in a 2 hour class is 15 points. That's being generous, because you don't always get attribute points as a reward, and the highest you can get (40) is pretty rare. Doing the math, this would require us to do 567 two hour classes or 227 eight hour classes! To level up all three attributes, it would take 1,700 two hour classes or 680 eight hour classes! That's just insane. And playing the game every time you reached full energy (during awake hours, so 18 hours for most) would take an attribute to level up between 70-80 days, and that's if you focus on that one attribute only and play pretty much every time you reach full energy while you're awake. That is asking way too much of us.
I say all this despite the fact I am on it basically every day, every few hours. I still really like the game, but honestly the times when I decide to take a break and not play, I feel a bit of a relief that I'm not stressing over trying to win an event or complete a sidequest before time runs out. I am seriously thinking of taking a break from the game for a while, and not just for a few days. It's getting to the point where it's not worth it anymore. I would definitely come back and play again, if only to catch up on the story. But it is getting to that point with me, and I will not hesitate to stop playing for a while. The game is just not what it used to be. The story is severely lacking in quality, events are near impossible to win, and the side bits of the game (Dueling, pets, friendship tasks) are just not worth the time and effort. The game started out great, but then fizzled out in its second year, and if they're not careful, the same downward trend will continue, and they will lose players.
Edit: I am currently in a hiatus from the game, and part of me wants to go back to the game, but when I think about doing so, I just lose interest very quickly. This game has unfortunately descended into the depths of money grabbers, and I just lose interest in a game quickly when that happens. Also, it's hard to keep up with the game when you're busy with a job and other apps take up your time.
Showing posts with label City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label City. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Monday, December 30, 2019
2019-2020 NFL Playoffs – Predictions and Top 10 Super Bowl Matchups!
The 2019 NFL regular season is over, and the playoffs start next weekend. Who will be playing in Super Bowl LIV in
Miami? I’m going to predict the
playoffs, even including scores, and then afterwards I will list my top 10
Super Bowl matchups.
Wild Card Round
AFC:
(6) Titans at (3) Patriots: Titans 24, Patriots 20
Yup. The Patriots get upset at home in the playoffs. Tennessee is the more complete team and more physically imposing, and Derrick Henry has a great day.
(5) Bills at (4) Texans: Bills 19, Texans 17
The Bills defense is really good. The Texans defense isn’t that good. I see yet another upset here, with Josh Allen winning his first ever playoff game.
NFC:
(6) Vikings at (3) Saints: Saints 30, Vikings 23
No Minneapolis Miracle here, especially since the game is in New Orleans this time. The Vikings claw back from a deficit but are unable to get another opportunity to score.
(5) Seahawks at (4) Eagles: Eagles 27, Seahawks 19
One and done for the Hawks. The Seahawks are not the same team that played Philadelphia over a month ago, and the Eagles are playing better football since then. Result: Eagles win.
Divisional Round
AFC:
(6) Titans at (1) Ravens: Ravens 34, Titans 21
The Titans have trouble keeping up with a rested and efficient Ravens team.
(5) Bills at (2) Chiefs: Chiefs 26, Bills 17
Arrowhead in January proves too much for these Bills. The Chiefs won’t light up the scoreboard, but neither will the Bills.
NFC:
(4) Eagles at (1) 49ers: 49ers 28, Eagles 13
The 49ers defense dominates, getting turnovers and sacks galore. The 49ers have control of the game all game long and mostly run and kill the clock.
(3) Saints at (2) Packers: Saints 27, Packers 20
The Saints upset the Packers in a cold game. Normally indoor teams don’t do well in these environments, but the Saints are out to prove they are better than the Packers and deserved the higher seeding.
Conference Championships
AFC:
(2) Chiefs at (1) Ravens: Chiefs 28, Ravens 26
The Ravens get a few field goals from Tucker, but the Chiefs have CC game experience which proves to be the difference. Lamar Jackson has yet to beat the Chiefs and it remains that way, proving the Chiefs are his kryptonite.
(3) Saints at (1) 49ers: 49ers 28, Saints 24
As much as I’d like to say the Saints upset the 49ers in this one, I just don’t see it happening. The 49ers beat them once before, they can do it again. Also, the division most represented in the Super Bowl for the NFC in recent memory is the NFC West.
Super Bowl LIV: Chiefs 35, 49ers 31
In a wildly exciting game, the Chiefs emerge victorious. Mahomes gets the ball last, down 31-28, and instead of going for a field goal and overtime, connects with Mecole Hardman for a game-winning score. Mahomes wins Super Bowl MVP.
Wow, not terribly far off! The Chiefs won, as I predicted, but the score wasn't quite as high for either team. I was right on predicting Mahomes for MVP, but he was a clear favorite to begin with.
My Top 10 Super Bowl Matchups:
#1 – What I predict: Chiefs vs. 49ers
Again, this is my Super Bowl prediction, the battle between Joe Montana’s two teams.
And this just so happened to be the matchup that happened! Yet again, we have a Super Bowl with two teams who had first-round byes. We'll see if my predicted score above holds true for the game.
#2 – The obvious choice of #1 seeds: Ravens vs. 49ers
The most likely Super Bowl matchup every year is the two #1 seeds meeting, and in this case would be the Ravens and 49ers. It would also be a rematch of Super Bowl XLVII, in which the Ravens won.
#3 – The two hottest teams: Ravens vs. Packers
These are the two teams with the longest winning streaks in the NFL.
#4 – My mid-season Super Bowl picks: Ravens vs. Saints
This was my mid-season pick for the Super Bowl, Charm City vs. the Big Easy. New school vs. Old School.
#5 – The Super Bowl matchup I’ve wanted for YEARS: Patriots vs. Packers
Can we finally get a Brady vs. Rodgers matchup in the Super Bowl? Probably not, but it doesn’t hurt to hope. This, and the one below this, would tie for the matchup between the oldest franchises in the playoffs.
#6 – A fitting rematch: Chiefs vs. Packers
A rematch of Super Bowl I in the NFL’s 100th season? That would be very fitting. It’s also a matchup of the two State Farm QB’s, which we were deprived of earlier in the season because Mahomes was hurt.
#7 – To pad the Hall of Fame Resume: Patriots vs. Saints
The next best thing to Rodgers vs. Brady to me would be Brees vs. Brady. To some, this would be a better matchup. This matchup would be legendary, with the winner padding his resume for Canton even more, not that either of them need it.
#8 – Battle of the Birds: Ravens vs. Seahawks
The NFL is due for a wild card team getting to the Super Bowl. They’re due for a team winning three road games on their way to the Super Bowl. The Seahawks, I believe, have the best shot at doing that of any 5 or 6 seed. And to see Jackson vs. Wilson would be pretty awesome.
#9 – Rematch of an epic game: Patriots vs. Seahawks
If the Seahawks were to make it back to the Super Bowl, wouldn’t it be fitting for it to be against the Patriots? Marshawn Lynch is on the roster again, and perhaps we could give him that opportunity he so deserves.
#10 – Two of the biggest dynasties in NFL history: Patriots vs. 49ers
Arguably, the two biggest dynasties in NFL history would be the 49ers from the 80s to the mid-90s and the Patriots from the 2000s to the 2010’s. Would be fitting for the NFL’s 100th season. Also this would pit Jimmy Garoppolo against his former mentor, Tom Brady.
Wild Card Round
AFC:
(6) Titans at (3) Patriots: Titans 24, Patriots 20
Yup. The Patriots get upset at home in the playoffs. Tennessee is the more complete team and more physically imposing, and Derrick Henry has a great day.
(5) Bills at (4) Texans: Bills 19, Texans 17
The Bills defense is really good. The Texans defense isn’t that good. I see yet another upset here, with Josh Allen winning his first ever playoff game.
NFC:
(6) Vikings at (3) Saints: Saints 30, Vikings 23
No Minneapolis Miracle here, especially since the game is in New Orleans this time. The Vikings claw back from a deficit but are unable to get another opportunity to score.
(5) Seahawks at (4) Eagles: Eagles 27, Seahawks 19
One and done for the Hawks. The Seahawks are not the same team that played Philadelphia over a month ago, and the Eagles are playing better football since then. Result: Eagles win.
Divisional Round
AFC:
(6) Titans at (1) Ravens: Ravens 34, Titans 21
The Titans have trouble keeping up with a rested and efficient Ravens team.
(5) Bills at (2) Chiefs: Chiefs 26, Bills 17
Arrowhead in January proves too much for these Bills. The Chiefs won’t light up the scoreboard, but neither will the Bills.
NFC:
(4) Eagles at (1) 49ers: 49ers 28, Eagles 13
The 49ers defense dominates, getting turnovers and sacks galore. The 49ers have control of the game all game long and mostly run and kill the clock.
(3) Saints at (2) Packers: Saints 27, Packers 20
The Saints upset the Packers in a cold game. Normally indoor teams don’t do well in these environments, but the Saints are out to prove they are better than the Packers and deserved the higher seeding.
Conference Championships
AFC:
(2) Chiefs at (1) Ravens: Chiefs 28, Ravens 26
The Ravens get a few field goals from Tucker, but the Chiefs have CC game experience which proves to be the difference. Lamar Jackson has yet to beat the Chiefs and it remains that way, proving the Chiefs are his kryptonite.
(3) Saints at (1) 49ers: 49ers 28, Saints 24
As much as I’d like to say the Saints upset the 49ers in this one, I just don’t see it happening. The 49ers beat them once before, they can do it again. Also, the division most represented in the Super Bowl for the NFC in recent memory is the NFC West.
Super Bowl LIV: Chiefs 35, 49ers 31
In a wildly exciting game, the Chiefs emerge victorious. Mahomes gets the ball last, down 31-28, and instead of going for a field goal and overtime, connects with Mecole Hardman for a game-winning score. Mahomes wins Super Bowl MVP.
Wow, not terribly far off! The Chiefs won, as I predicted, but the score wasn't quite as high for either team. I was right on predicting Mahomes for MVP, but he was a clear favorite to begin with.
My Top 10 Super Bowl Matchups:
#1 – What I predict: Chiefs vs. 49ers
Again, this is my Super Bowl prediction, the battle between Joe Montana’s two teams.
And this just so happened to be the matchup that happened! Yet again, we have a Super Bowl with two teams who had first-round byes. We'll see if my predicted score above holds true for the game.
#2 – The obvious choice of #1 seeds: Ravens vs. 49ers
The most likely Super Bowl matchup every year is the two #1 seeds meeting, and in this case would be the Ravens and 49ers. It would also be a rematch of Super Bowl XLVII, in which the Ravens won.
#3 – The two hottest teams: Ravens vs. Packers
These are the two teams with the longest winning streaks in the NFL.
#4 – My mid-season Super Bowl picks: Ravens vs. Saints
This was my mid-season pick for the Super Bowl, Charm City vs. the Big Easy. New school vs. Old School.
#5 – The Super Bowl matchup I’ve wanted for YEARS: Patriots vs. Packers
Can we finally get a Brady vs. Rodgers matchup in the Super Bowl? Probably not, but it doesn’t hurt to hope. This, and the one below this, would tie for the matchup between the oldest franchises in the playoffs.
#6 – A fitting rematch: Chiefs vs. Packers
A rematch of Super Bowl I in the NFL’s 100th season? That would be very fitting. It’s also a matchup of the two State Farm QB’s, which we were deprived of earlier in the season because Mahomes was hurt.
#7 – To pad the Hall of Fame Resume: Patriots vs. Saints
The next best thing to Rodgers vs. Brady to me would be Brees vs. Brady. To some, this would be a better matchup. This matchup would be legendary, with the winner padding his resume for Canton even more, not that either of them need it.
#8 – Battle of the Birds: Ravens vs. Seahawks
The NFL is due for a wild card team getting to the Super Bowl. They’re due for a team winning three road games on their way to the Super Bowl. The Seahawks, I believe, have the best shot at doing that of any 5 or 6 seed. And to see Jackson vs. Wilson would be pretty awesome.
#9 – Rematch of an epic game: Patriots vs. Seahawks
If the Seahawks were to make it back to the Super Bowl, wouldn’t it be fitting for it to be against the Patriots? Marshawn Lynch is on the roster again, and perhaps we could give him that opportunity he so deserves.
#10 – Two of the biggest dynasties in NFL history: Patriots vs. 49ers
Arguably, the two biggest dynasties in NFL history would be the 49ers from the 80s to the mid-90s and the Patriots from the 2000s to the 2010’s. Would be fitting for the NFL’s 100th season. Also this would pit Jimmy Garoppolo against his former mentor, Tom Brady.
Sunday, August 18, 2019
My Solution to the NFL's Overtime Rule
Ever since the vaulted Chiefs offense of 2018/19 did not get an opportunity to take the field in overtime of the 2019 AFC Championship game, NFL fans (mostly Chiefs) have clamored for a change to the NFL overtime rules. They want both teams to have an opportunity to possess the ball. And I have to admit, I agree. If two teams meet, and each team has a great offense and sub-par defense, the coin flip really does determine who wins the game. I know it's been 7 months since that AFC Championship game, but I have just thought of a solution to fix overtime in the NFL. I want to add that I have modified my original overtime proposal which allowed games to extend beyond two possessions. This does not (unless it is a playoff game).
Here is my solution: Each team gets one opportunity to possess the ball on offense. The only exception being if the defense scores on the first possession. If the first team to possess the ball scores, the opposing team will get one shot to tie or beat them. After those two possessions, the game is over. If the game is tied after two scoring possessions, the game becomes a tie (unless it's a playoff game). If the first team to possess the ball gets a TD and goes for two and succeeds, that means the best the opposing team can do is tie the game. If it was a playoff game, they'd have to get a touchdown and two point conversion to keep the game going. I must add that in this version of overtime, there is no game clock, just like in college. Just possessions and a play clock.
Confused at all? I wouldn't blame you if you were. Here are some hypotheticals (and we'll use the Patriots and Chiefs to make it easy). And we are using regular season overtime rules (unless otherwise specified).
- The Patriots get the ball first in overtime and kick a field goal. The Chiefs then kick a field goal. The game would then be a tie. In the playoffs, the Patriots would get the ball back, now with the game in sudden death mode.
- The Patriots get the ball first in overtime and score a touchdown and get the ensuing PAT. The Chiefs get the ball themselves and score a touchdown as well. They kick the PAT as well. This would result in a tie. The Chiefs could go for two points, and if they successfully get it, they win the game. If they fail to get it, they lose. Talk about drama.
- The Patriots get the ball first in overtime and score a touchdown and get the two point conversion. The Chiefs would then get an opportunity to match. If they don't, the game obviously ends with a Patriots victory. If they do, the game ends in a tie. In the playoffs, they would continue to play now under sudden death (next score wins).
- The Patriots get the ball first and either punt or turn the ball over. The Chiefs get the ball. Any score wins it for them. If they fail to score at least a field goal (because with the offense on the field, they can't score a safety), the game ends in a tie. In the playoffs, the game would continue until someone scores.
I hope that clarifies things. This way, both teams get a chance to possess the football, and the game always ends after two possessions, unless it's the playoffs. The interesting scenario this creates is for the second team to possess the ball. Do they go for the tie or the win? I'd say 90%+ of the time you go for the win; one exception being if a loss knocks you out of the playoffs, but a tie or win and you're in the playoffs.
Here are the pros and cons of this format.
PROS:
- Both teams get a chance to go for the win if they so choose, unless the first team gets a TD and 2 point conversion. If the first team does get both, then the second team loses the ability to go for the win.
- Would make for exciting and dramatic football as we could see a lot of "Do or Die" plays
- Would make for a lot of interesting and tough coaching decisions (Go for 2? Go for it on 4th? Kick or receive?)
- It's about as fair as OT can be to whoever wins the toss, and I could see some teams wanting the ball first while others want it second
CONS:
- Can be a tad confusing
- There could be an increase in the number of ties since any teams that do the same in the overtime period would count as a tie.
- This could increase the amount of time players have to play in overtime if they're always forced to play at least two possessions.
To counter those three cons I listed, for the first one, I came up with a simplified way of explaining these rules and it is this: Each team gets one possession. Whoever does better wins. If they do the same, they tie. That's it. Once people get used to these rules, they become very easy to explain.
Secondly, it's hard to really say if the number of ties would increase. If just one team scores, the chance that there will be a tie dramatically drops, because the second team to possess the ball more than likely won't go for a tie. And with defenses that have been on the field for a half hour each (on average) already, it means offenses playing against gassed defenses and more than likely, one of the offensive units would get at least a field goal. Also, you would not see many teams "going for a tie", such as kicking a field goal when the other team kicked a field goal, because a head coach would instantly and forever be harshly criticized for not having the courage to go for the win.
Thirdly, this could indeed increase on average the amount of time overtime periods go. Right now, overtime can end on one possession. It still could now (if there's a defensive score), but most often we'd see two possessions. My argument is that I think players would be willing to play a bit more for a better chance to win the game. Think back to the AFC Championship game this past season. I'd guarantee each of those Chiefs offensive players, from QB Patrick Mahomes to the offensive linemen, they all wanted to go back out there. They all wanted one more shot. There are only 16 games a season plus a maximum of 4 playoff games for one team. Each game is critical, and everyone on the team would love a shot to go out and win a game that goes to overtime. Let's give them that shot.
Here is my solution: Each team gets one opportunity to possess the ball on offense. The only exception being if the defense scores on the first possession. If the first team to possess the ball scores, the opposing team will get one shot to tie or beat them. After those two possessions, the game is over. If the game is tied after two scoring possessions, the game becomes a tie (unless it's a playoff game). If the first team to possess the ball gets a TD and goes for two and succeeds, that means the best the opposing team can do is tie the game. If it was a playoff game, they'd have to get a touchdown and two point conversion to keep the game going. I must add that in this version of overtime, there is no game clock, just like in college. Just possessions and a play clock.
Confused at all? I wouldn't blame you if you were. Here are some hypotheticals (and we'll use the Patriots and Chiefs to make it easy). And we are using regular season overtime rules (unless otherwise specified).
- The Patriots get the ball first in overtime and kick a field goal. The Chiefs then kick a field goal. The game would then be a tie. In the playoffs, the Patriots would get the ball back, now with the game in sudden death mode.
- The Patriots get the ball first in overtime and score a touchdown and get the ensuing PAT. The Chiefs get the ball themselves and score a touchdown as well. They kick the PAT as well. This would result in a tie. The Chiefs could go for two points, and if they successfully get it, they win the game. If they fail to get it, they lose. Talk about drama.
- The Patriots get the ball first in overtime and score a touchdown and get the two point conversion. The Chiefs would then get an opportunity to match. If they don't, the game obviously ends with a Patriots victory. If they do, the game ends in a tie. In the playoffs, they would continue to play now under sudden death (next score wins).
- The Patriots get the ball first and either punt or turn the ball over. The Chiefs get the ball. Any score wins it for them. If they fail to score at least a field goal (because with the offense on the field, they can't score a safety), the game ends in a tie. In the playoffs, the game would continue until someone scores.
I hope that clarifies things. This way, both teams get a chance to possess the football, and the game always ends after two possessions, unless it's the playoffs. The interesting scenario this creates is for the second team to possess the ball. Do they go for the tie or the win? I'd say 90%+ of the time you go for the win; one exception being if a loss knocks you out of the playoffs, but a tie or win and you're in the playoffs.
Here are the pros and cons of this format.
PROS:
- Both teams get a chance to go for the win if they so choose, unless the first team gets a TD and 2 point conversion. If the first team does get both, then the second team loses the ability to go for the win.
- Would make for exciting and dramatic football as we could see a lot of "Do or Die" plays
- Would make for a lot of interesting and tough coaching decisions (Go for 2? Go for it on 4th? Kick or receive?)
- It's about as fair as OT can be to whoever wins the toss, and I could see some teams wanting the ball first while others want it second
CONS:
- Can be a tad confusing
- There could be an increase in the number of ties since any teams that do the same in the overtime period would count as a tie.
- This could increase the amount of time players have to play in overtime if they're always forced to play at least two possessions.
To counter those three cons I listed, for the first one, I came up with a simplified way of explaining these rules and it is this: Each team gets one possession. Whoever does better wins. If they do the same, they tie. That's it. Once people get used to these rules, they become very easy to explain.
Secondly, it's hard to really say if the number of ties would increase. If just one team scores, the chance that there will be a tie dramatically drops, because the second team to possess the ball more than likely won't go for a tie. And with defenses that have been on the field for a half hour each (on average) already, it means offenses playing against gassed defenses and more than likely, one of the offensive units would get at least a field goal. Also, you would not see many teams "going for a tie", such as kicking a field goal when the other team kicked a field goal, because a head coach would instantly and forever be harshly criticized for not having the courage to go for the win.
Thirdly, this could indeed increase on average the amount of time overtime periods go. Right now, overtime can end on one possession. It still could now (if there's a defensive score), but most often we'd see two possessions. My argument is that I think players would be willing to play a bit more for a better chance to win the game. Think back to the AFC Championship game this past season. I'd guarantee each of those Chiefs offensive players, from QB Patrick Mahomes to the offensive linemen, they all wanted to go back out there. They all wanted one more shot. There are only 16 games a season plus a maximum of 4 playoff games for one team. Each game is critical, and everyone on the team would love a shot to go out and win a game that goes to overtime. Let's give them that shot.
Sunday, July 19, 2015
As A Mariner Fan, I'm Pretty Much Done
The Mariners entered this
2015 season with such high expectations.
Some dreamed of a World Series berth, even. Most predicted us to make the playoffs. But the Mariners sit at 42-50, and most
Mariners fans would admit this season is probably over. Is it mathematically and logically possible
the Mariners could make a run at a playoff spot? Sure.
But this team has been fiddled and farted with so much, there is
absolutely NOTHING to give us
any reason to expect a turnaround. I for
one am very disappointed in this team, and it's an all too familiar feeling I
get with this ball club.
Four years ago, I said that if the Mariners didn't make the playoffs or LOOK like they'd make the playoffs by 2015, I'd give up on them. Well, it's 2015 and the playoffs seem like a pipe dream. I said I'd stop following them and stop buying merchandise and stop going to games and that's exactly what I'm going to do. I'm slowly going to stop watching their games on TV, and from this point on I will not buy any Mariner merchandise or go to any games. I refuse to support such a poorly run organization. It's funny--all they have to do is look across the street to the Seahawks (and Sounders) to see how to run a successful sports franchise.
The Mariners are a joke. Literally. They've been made fun of on the TV show "How I Met Your Mother", they are constantly lauded and joked about by casual sports fans in Seattle. You ask a person, any person who knows who the Mariners are and what they think of them, and (unless they've been under a rock the past 15 years) they'll say that they suck (or some variation). This team has such a bad image problem I'm surprised they managed to lure high-priced free agents in Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz. Oh that's right, they just threw enough money at them, anything to get someone to be a bobblehead on Bobblehead Night.
The amount of things wrong with this team and the reasons they lose more often than they win are too numerous for me to name. Lloyd and Jack need to go. In fact, ownership needs to go (but you can't "fire" ownership, sadly). A lot of the players (while most of them not their fault) have under-performed and need to go. This team is such a mess not even a GM with OCD would want to take this team on. This organization had its "fifteen minutes of fame" from 1995-2001, but outside those years this baseball franchise is a complete and udder joke, failure, abomination, and travesty. Those words may sound harsh, but it's the truth. In the 32 years outside of 1995-2001, the Mariners have had just 7 WINNING SEASONS, eclipsing 90 wins just TWICE.
So I bid my farewell to the Mariners. I hope your ticket and merchandise sales plummet. If you're as fed up as I am, please join me in staying away from Safeco and refusing to buy merchandise. You do one of those two things and all you're doing is encouraging them to continue to do what they're doing and that's building a LOSER. There is something wrong with this organization, and it's not just the players. In fact, it's BARELY them. It's ownership and management. Unless ownership changes or they take the necessary steps to "reboot" this franchise, I will not be following the Mariners. I will be more than willing to come back and support this franchise once changes are made. But until then, Mariners, I bid thee farewell.
Four years ago, I said that if the Mariners didn't make the playoffs or LOOK like they'd make the playoffs by 2015, I'd give up on them. Well, it's 2015 and the playoffs seem like a pipe dream. I said I'd stop following them and stop buying merchandise and stop going to games and that's exactly what I'm going to do. I'm slowly going to stop watching their games on TV, and from this point on I will not buy any Mariner merchandise or go to any games. I refuse to support such a poorly run organization. It's funny--all they have to do is look across the street to the Seahawks (and Sounders) to see how to run a successful sports franchise.
The Mariners are a joke. Literally. They've been made fun of on the TV show "How I Met Your Mother", they are constantly lauded and joked about by casual sports fans in Seattle. You ask a person, any person who knows who the Mariners are and what they think of them, and (unless they've been under a rock the past 15 years) they'll say that they suck (or some variation). This team has such a bad image problem I'm surprised they managed to lure high-priced free agents in Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz. Oh that's right, they just threw enough money at them, anything to get someone to be a bobblehead on Bobblehead Night.
The amount of things wrong with this team and the reasons they lose more often than they win are too numerous for me to name. Lloyd and Jack need to go. In fact, ownership needs to go (but you can't "fire" ownership, sadly). A lot of the players (while most of them not their fault) have under-performed and need to go. This team is such a mess not even a GM with OCD would want to take this team on. This organization had its "fifteen minutes of fame" from 1995-2001, but outside those years this baseball franchise is a complete and udder joke, failure, abomination, and travesty. Those words may sound harsh, but it's the truth. In the 32 years outside of 1995-2001, the Mariners have had just 7 WINNING SEASONS, eclipsing 90 wins just TWICE.
So I bid my farewell to the Mariners. I hope your ticket and merchandise sales plummet. If you're as fed up as I am, please join me in staying away from Safeco and refusing to buy merchandise. You do one of those two things and all you're doing is encouraging them to continue to do what they're doing and that's building a LOSER. There is something wrong with this organization, and it's not just the players. In fact, it's BARELY them. It's ownership and management. Unless ownership changes or they take the necessary steps to "reboot" this franchise, I will not be following the Mariners. I will be more than willing to come back and support this franchise once changes are made. But until then, Mariners, I bid thee farewell.
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