Tanking and Reverse Tanking Could Be a Concern This Sunday
As the NFL season wraps up, teams may prioritize draft picks over wins, raising concerns about tanking
NFL, Tanking, Draft Picks, New England, Buffalo, Tennessee, Cleveland, New York
Foxborough: So, it’s that time of year in the NFL when some teams might not be trying their hardest to win. It’s all about the draft picks, right? The Patriots, sitting at 3-13, are in a prime spot for the top pick. If they lose on Sunday, they clinch it. Makes you wonder if they’ll really go for the win.
And then there are the Bills. They don’t want the Patriots snagging that top pick. So, what if they decide to take it easy? It’s a wild thought, but it’s all part of the game. The Titans, Browns, and Giants are also in the mix, all with the same record. It’s a bit of a mess, honestly.
Everyone’s talking about it, and it’s kind of awkward. The draft system gives the worst teams the first shot at the best players, which can lead to some shady tactics. Losing a game doesn’t cost a team anything, but moving up in the draft order can be a big deal.
In the end, does it really matter if a team finishes 3-14 instead of 4-13? Not really. A bad season is a bad season, no matter how you slice it. Players usually don’t care about draft positions; they just want to play. But coaches and owners? They might have other ideas.
Take the Buccaneers back in 2014. They were leading the Saints but needed to lose to secure the top pick. So, they pulled their starters in the second half. The Saints ended up winning, and Tampa got what they wanted. It’s a strange world.
The league doesn’t do much about tanking. Remember when the Dolphins’ coach said the owner offered him cash for losses? The owner claimed it was a joke, and the league just went along with it. It’s a tricky situation, especially with betting becoming a big part of the NFL.
As we head into the last Sunday of the season, it’s clear some teams might not be all in. The league should probably remind everyone that they need to give it their all. But with all the betting buzz, any hint of teams not trying could cause some serious issues.