Is this an "asterisk" season?

If there are covid outbreaks on postseason teams (especially if they are favorites) or if they shorten the season then you might have a discussion.

if they play 16 with no interruptions then no asterisk.

In comment 14968501 US1 Giants said:

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if they play 16 with no interruptions then no asterisk.

Agreed.

With any sort of bullshit gimmicks. If it’s a full 16 game slate across 17 weeks, then it’s a completely legitimate nfl season.

Nothing affecting game location, schedule balancing or #of games has changed. Only change is no fans. If the season is abbreviated, well then that may change things, but until then, no asterisk.

KC and JAX have live fan attendance (25%) and I believe 4 other teams. Contrary to the NFL view, it should be all or nothing for EVERY team. Players have openly stated fans get them amped.And don't give me the "it's only 25%" crap. Did you hear those fans in KC? In order to create a level playing field either no team should have live fans or all teams should have live fans. Just my opinion.

None of these leagues are asterisk worthy. Everyone is playing under the same conditions so the field is level. Asterisks are for when a player or team has an unfair advantage (Astros being the most recent example).

it’s an odd year, but everyone is dealing with it

In comment 14968517 bronxct1 said:

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None of these leagues are asterisk worthy. Everyone is playing under the same conditions so the field is level. Asterisks are for when a player or team has an unfair advantage (Astros being the most recent example). it’s an odd year, but everyone is dealing with it

surprisingly having a level playing field has been a common factor in all the asterisk seasons, so level playing field should not affect whether it deserves an asterisk

the reasons for an asterisk are that it is a different kind of season -- no preseason games -- effectively no OTAs -- different socialization rules. There are factors that affect the idea of level playing field in that some teams will have fans and others won't.

this season may in fact be asterisk worthy -- there are a number of unusual impacts on the way teams usually do business

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Provided they play a full season.

If my team were to win it all this season, that would bring me great joy in an otherwise pretty crappy year, and it might even mean more because of it, if this all becomes a distant memory in a decade or so.

Then absolutely no asterisk. As said above, and asterisk means there was an unfair advantage for one or more teams. That is not the case here. Everyone didn’t play pre-season, and I can’t imagine why not playing vanilla preseason games with mostly backups would impact the season unfairly.

No asterisk if the Giants win the Super Bowl, or go 2-14.

As it stands now? Nope, I don't think it's an asterisk year at all.

It only becomes that if the year gets cut short somehow, not all teams play 16 games, teams are forced to play without several impact players who aren't actually injured, etc. Stuff like that.

But if they make it through mostly unscathed - which yes, it's going to be a challenge - it's a completely legitimate year and for whoever hoists the trophy at the end, it counts like all the rest.

..

yet.

Course, etc. to compete, at a professional level, it matters, you re paid to perform well and win.

Why would circumstances change that? I don’t understand the premise that they should.

the Super Bowl is an "asterisk" season. :)

or are playing 60 games like baseball

.

Does anyone discredit the teams that won championships in strike shortened seasons?

Nope. It's never bought up as illegitimate.

But I will be surprised if we get 16 games. And even more surprised if the outcome is not determined by who suffers the smallest number of player infections.

No, if they complete the schedule without any team playing with 20 guys out. As of now absolutely, we have to hope this season is a great learning experience and positive steps forward.

In comment 14968564 MOOPS said:

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the Super Bowl is an "asterisk" season. :)

/\ /\
That's all

It will be remembered as a “different” year from all the others. There is no way to not see it as such. Maybe we get the full slate of games, but the 2020 season started months ago, it was virtual, the off-season was not the same (particularly not having extra time with new staff), no pre-season games.

Of course this year is different. I don’t think a full asterisk unless teams start falling apart, or Covid creates material disadvantages (like fans at certain stadiums only - that’s nonsense).

Not having fans there has not taken away from the game.

Also I don’t think no pre season Games has had an adverse effect either.

Massive amounts of players due to COVID. Everyone had a slightly shorter camp, but I don't know if you noticed this, the play week 1 so far has been better quality than it has been in a decade. Go figure.

Eberyteam has a lesser home field advantage, but is that enough to say this should be an asterisk season? The replacement year was way more of an asterisk season.

In comment 14968501 US1 Giants said:

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if they play 16 with no interruptions then no asterisk.

Agreed. As long as the postseason isn’t affected by COVID and they play the full schedule I’ll consider it to be legit.

there is no such thing. Not even the strike season.

Otherwise - no.

2017 has an asterisk next to it for me.

We'll have to see how this Covid thingy plays out.

IMO. Baseball regular season stats obviously get an asterisk. Maybe playoffs too given the wacky format.