"It doesn't mean anything"

Very true words were spoken by all-pro QB Tom Brady on Sunday, after his New England Patriots beat the NFL (World) Champion Indianapolis Colts in a big clash of the unbeatens:
"We're 9-0 and it really doesn't matter," Brady said. "None of this matters. What matters is January - 9-0, hey, I'm as happy as anybody. But it doesn't mean anything. "

This points out a great truth- in most sports today- especially professional sports, the long regular season seems like little more than a warm-up for the playoff season. I find it nearly impossible to get excited about pro sports like basketball or hockey, which have already been underway for a month now, and will continue with playoffs until long after I and most people have ceased caring, sometime close to the beginning of next summer. Any regular season win or a loss now hardly matters in the long run.

By comparison, football games, especially those played at so-called 'lower levels' really mean something- they irrevecobaly impact standings, championship chances, and bragging rights. Teams- even great rivals- play each other but once a year. The regular season really means something to everyone involved.