NFL’s ultimate power
The dividing line of the NFL is unlike just about any other league, college or pro.
The gap between the Patriots at the height of their powers and a dreadful team like the Jets at the nadir of theirs, is still relatively thin by comparison. And that’s in the moment if not over the course of an existence.
Sure the murals of the existence of those franchises over the last two decades are as similar as a ‘Whistler’s Mother’ and ‘Dogs Playing Poker,’ and in this age of being politically proper, that is neither a vote of support or a hint of indignation at either fine work of art that appeals to plenty.
(Side question: If Whistler’s Mother, a one-of-a-kind work of art for sure, is insured for $30 million pounds, or roughly $39 million dollars, and this canvas work of ‘Dogs Playing Poker’ goes for $40 on Amazon, which is greater: The value of Whistler’s momma or the amount of money generated from sales of our canine card sharks? Discuss.)
Anyhoo, the power of one can be the difference between a collector’s item or the carousel of idiocy. Look at the Pats and the Jets, and that power of one is multiple by two, which goes to the power of infinity, because of the coach and QB combo.
The power of one QB, Brady or the names of the Jets single callers since Tom came into the league two decades ago. (Since 2000, this list is some kind of scaryTestaverde, Pennington, Quincy Carter, Brooks Bollinger, Kellen Clemes, Brett Favre, Mark Sanchez, Greg McElroy, Geno Smith, Mike Vick, Ryan Fitz Patrick, Bryce Petty, Josh McCown, Sam Darnold, Luke Falk and Trevor Siemian.)
I know what you’re mumbling right now, “Is it really that easy, Jay?”
Sometimes it is, and if Occam’s Razor – the principle that when you account for all the facts, the simpler explanation is more likely the correct explanation – teaches us anything, it’s not to overthink it.
Because that power of one resonates in the locker room and across the practice field and into the pregame meetings. And, as they run onto the field to spend 60 minutes potentially trading months off their lives for the acquisition of a few extra yards which means the world in a game of inches, that power of one covers the entire crew with energy.
And more importantly, confidence.
How many games did the Pats win through the years because the defense knew – not expected, not wanted, not hoped KNEW – that Brady would make a play and convert or Belichick would call something to create and extra possession?
The confidence that comes from those ones, those truly great ones, are worth more than points. They bring the power of belief.
Saban delivers it. Dabo has found QBs who have it in spades with Clemson. Heck a decade ago, after three weeks, everyone around Auburn believed – the same way everyone around Gainesville did with Tebow – that Cam would simply not let the Tigers lose.
Are there others? Sure, there are.
It’s one of the ultimate hidden powers of psychological inertia and how the narrative can direct and even redirect that story.
Because Peyton was great long before he became a Super Bowl winner, and without question had the power of one. But the narrative of losing in the big moments became part of his conversation too.
And while this may be a too nuanced discussion of the the most important position in sports – I’d rank the most valuable position in team sports 1) Quarterback, 2) College football head coach, 3) NHL goalie, 4) College basketball head coach, 5) NFL head coach thoughts? – but the power of one gets a true galvanization when looking at the best teams in the current NFL amid unimaginable circumstances.