Just after halftime of the Patriots-Chargers game, as fans watched a rain-soaked Justin Herbert protect the Chargers’ insurmountable two-field goal lead, just before Herbert flung a beautiful pass to first-round pick Quentin Johnston that was bobbled and dropped out of bounds, the NFL posted a poll question inside the live Sunday Ticket chat.
Which team had the better uniforms today?
While this was likely some computer-generated quest for engagement, it also felt prophetic in that moment. It was like someone bringing up the weather on a stuck elevator when there was absolutely nothing else to talk about. It was like a youth sports coach ignoring the complete disarray on the field to ask everyone whether they enjoyed the orange slices at halftime. The Patriots-Chargers game was unwatchable, like so many that have preceded it this year. Asking any of the dissatisfied customers in that chatroom about anything tangible would have led to the very loud and repeated revelation of this truth.
