On the meaning of records

So the Atlanta Falcons, after a 13-3 season, are out of the playoffs, having been beat like a red-headed stepchild by Green Bay, leaving some people to ask if they were really as good as a 13-3 record would say. To them, I have only one thing to say: sit down and quit your bitching.

Seriously, every team has their ups and downs. Even the best team, at the height of their game, will stumble. Records and stats are things that only matter outside the game. When you are on that field, no one on the opposing side cares what your record is. They are focused on doing their job, as you are focused on doing yours. If Football was really so simple as comparing who had the best record, then why would you even bother to play the game? Just compare stat sheets in the booth, have the coaches shake hands, and then go home.

Football, like other sports, excites us because, on any given Sunday, anything can happen. Because even though you go in expectations based on your team's record, and the other team's record, you still have that thrill that anything could happen. That is why they play the game, and why we watch.

So yes, the Falcons really were as good as their 13-3 record said. But on any given Sunday, anything can happen.