When Did the NFL Become a Reality Show?

This blog strays from our usual healthy lifestyle content at AthleticMindedTraveler.com, but I have to vent my frustration at the sports writers and TV personalities across the country--so bear with me!

Ever since the NFL's San Diego Chargers beat the Indianapolis Colts last weekend, I've heard/read nothing from the various media channels but whining and complaining. It seems that the entire country's sports experts wanted to see the Patriots play the Colts in this weekend's AFC Championship game. Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady; Defending Super Bowl Champs vs. the Undefeated Pats; East Coast vs. Eastern state, etc. And now that the Colts lost and these experts can't see the game they hoped for, they're pouting like Eli Manning before he was traded to the NY Giants.

Earth to sports writers...the NFL is not a popularity contest!!!!!! If you want it to be, then forget playing 16+ weeks of football and just text in your vote for the SuperBowl matchup each August. What do you think this is, American Idol or Big Brother?!

The Chargers earned their trip to Foxborough, MA by beating Indy, in the Colts' Dome, and short a few of their best players. The Chargers didn't win on a fluke play (a la Seattle's advance last year after Tony Romo fumbled the field goal hold). And, they didn't win on a bad referee call (most agree more calls went against the Chargers). So what's the problem? Just like fans of reality shows, these media types get so enamored by the personalities on the teams rather than the Game itself that it skews their logic and objectivity.

Fine if you don't think the Chargers can beat the Pats, but don't whine about the matchup of two teams who DESERVE to be there.