Greed, Thy Name is NFL: to get ratings the playoff games start late in the day in the middle of the coldest weather this century.  The late games in the East have almost zero chance of being any good, today's in Cincinnati at 7PM.  Game in Dallas will be played in a "sort" of indoor setting (retractable roof).  Baltimore at New England might be health threatening.  Now the always humane owners  want 18 games in the most brutal "sport" known to man, 18 games that are almost guaranteed to injure most star players so badly after the second season that their careers will be ruined.  Owners care?  Fuck no, players are simply a capital equipment expense on their taxes; something they can depreciate each year and thereby lower the tax they have to pay.  That capital equipment depreciation dealy is why multi-million dollar deals can be made.