Frank here from Beach Walk Reflections, sharing a conversation I had while walking on the beach.Thanks, Marc.
(Me) Did you watch the Bengals-Ravens last night?
(Him) Yes. Crazy, but the Bengals didn’t deserve to win?
(Me) Why not?
(Him) The Ravens outplayed them.
(Me) Are you suggesting the NFL changes a rule?
(Him) What rule?
(Me) The team with the most points wins.
(Him) No, I’m just saying they didn’t deserve to win.
(Me) So, a team can get the most points but not win?
(Him) No, they got outplayed. Ravens had more yards rushing and passing, more first downs, and more time of possession.
(Me) So, the NFL should add an asterisk to the rule that the team with the most points wins only if they outplay the other team, or should teams get statistical bonus points like Fantasy Football?
(Him) No, I’m just saying the Ravens outplayed the Bengals.
(Me) So, did the Bengals deserve to win?
(Him) Ok, they got the most points to win the game even though the Ravens were the better team.
(Me) How could the Ravens be the better team when the Bengals had the better overall record and the Bengals beat them the week before?
(Him) The Ravens were the better team on Sunday, but the Bengals have no chance against Buffalo!
(me) So why play the game this Sunday if they have no chance?
(Him) They are going to play the game, but the Bengals have no chance?
(Me) Given the major injuries, chances for a win are slim. Besides, the Bills are damn good. But what if the Bengals get the most points?
(Him) They won’t, and they will be outplayed,
(Me) So, if it’s known the Bengals won’t get the most points, and the Bills will outplay them, I still don’t understand why they should play the game. It might snow in Buffalo!
(Him) Not playing the game would be stupid. Besides, snow doesn’t matter.
(Me) Does getting the most points matter?
(Him) You’re impossible!
(Me) Thank you, but with your rationale, the old, grumpy guy in Florida won the 2020 election.
(Him) He I did because everyone knows the election was rigged.
(Me) At least you’re consistent. Who Dey!
Be Sorry . . . Less 
You never can win having a logical conversation with THAT kind of person. Ever. Seems true that the expression “….on any given day” is applicable. Not to mention the actual number of points scored were more than the other team. Besides, I thought it was a nice upset. 😉
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Monika,
Good point. On the other hand, I won the discussion with logic because the conversation was in my head with a fictional character (who was based on real life). Journalists and analysts crack me up. They have lists and write articles about the keys to the game, and they never mention score more points!
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Too right, Frank!
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Those guys are everywhere. How can a team outplay another team but not score as many points? BTW I hope we get to a point where the memory of the grumpy old guy in Florida is gone. Maybe with a few more classified documents turning on BoBo’s watch, it may happen.
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John,
Yep – those guys are everywhere. Sports is a place where armchair quarterbacks and second-guesser wait ready to pounce.
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So, Frank…
You beat your alter-ego! Either that, or your schizophrenic? Multiple-personality disorder? Entertaining yourself with the Devil on your left shoulder?
I tease, of course. I think this was a fun exchange and very plausible, to boot. A win is a win is a win!
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Dale,
LOL … Well, the conversation in my head was not with my alter ego, but with an amalgamation of personalities that I know. Besides, I’m a strong advocate that most points wins …. period! Then again, sports fans are an interesting lot, and their team is involved, passion usually wins over logic. Nonetheless, this one was a fun one to write – the draft actually took about 10 minutes.
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You know I am teasing you and I agree, the winner is the winner, no matter how ugly the game might be. And it was fun to read 🙂
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I know you were teasing. I was just giving a bit of background of how it came to be. The election reference wasn’t in the original, but that’s where our host thought I was going with it … so I softly worked it in.
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I know you know and I appreciate the background and… I hear ya 🙂
How does that damn creature keep making an appearance?
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Actually, the conversation was with friends I know. BUT, I just made a minor edit. See what you think. You’ll spot it because I left the original with a strikethrough.
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Nothing wrong with that. It’s how we writers work 😉
As for the edit… 🙂
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When I first read this one, I immediately thought about that dude in Florida. I mean, if having less points than the other guy means victory, he’s big! Huge! And as for the Ravens, they played their asses off and you have to give them their due for that. But let’s face it, Harbaugh might be a dick but he’s a great coach. And division rivalries are usually nip and tuck.
That said, there is no world where this years Ravens can be compared to their neighbors to the west. Even with a decimated O-line, the Bengals are the better team.
Love it Cincy
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Marc,
I have no doubt that Harbaugh can coach. His record speaks for itself. Plus, the organization seems to have a way of strengthening its team with a key trade that comes out of nowhere. Sort of like the Cardinals. Nonetheless, the Ravens played hard. And yes, AFC North rivalries are full of dislike and hate.
Thanks again for letting me post this here. I wish I would have interpreted your initial thoughts better. Damn. …. But I did change one word (strikethrough shows), Check it out.
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I think that might change if they let lamar walk, but who knows? Maybe not.
Haha! Yes you did!
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This conversation is representative of ones which are fairly common here in Philly. Even when we score more points,, we are unsettled if we didn’t also outplay the competition…even though if you score more points you HAVE outplayed the competition. I have unfortunately done a very dangerous thing this football season…I finally have started to really, really pay attention to all the analysts’ words during telecasts. I wish I got paid that much money to spew common sense out. Even though I have watched football for-ever, most all of what football analysts put out is either 100% cliché or common sense. Specific to this conversation between the Bengals and the Ravens, we knew it would be hard for the losers of the Super Bowl to rally and have a great season. I think under those circumstances alone the Bengals have had a great season, no matter how they have looked. As for the Ravens, just another lost year for those players. I am sure John H. can coach, but I also think he is quite stubborn and hasn’t made the adjustments necessary to get that team to a championship. They have a monster decision regarding Lamar, and John has to get it right whichever way it goes…or he goes.
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Bruce,
This conversation is representative of many sports conversations at any level in any sport. Just pick one. Whether written or spoken, the”keys to the game” crack me up because they NEVER say “score more points than the other team.” Just last week I saw a headline that went something like “How did UC basketball win on road at SMU?” … Hello … They scored more points! It’s not rocket science. Oh wait …. why they scored more points does at substance, but the bottom line is important. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see what the Ravens do. I have no doubt that they will be fine because that is what they do.
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I can honestly say that I have no idea what you were talking about. But I will also honestly admit that I was amused and chuckled more than once.
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There you go, Frank, talking to yourself, again!
I guarantee you, I converse in my head, too.
I guarantee you, it’s never about sports!
Clink!
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