About four years ago, the NFL channel debuted something they called, "The Red Zone" If your husband subscribes to the NFL channel, then he no doubt has discovered the Red Zone. The Red Zone is a brilliant idea for those fans who want to watch football even when their favorite team isn''t playing. Sure, I realize that for years, people have been watching games in which they have no real stake - Monday Night Football, for example, has been an American staple, giving everyone at least something to look forward to when you woke up for work on Monday. So, even if you are a Bengals fan, for example, and you watched the Bengals on Sunday, you might still watch the Monday night game just to ease into the week.
Using that same example, if you are a Bengals fan, and the Bengals played at 1pm on Sunday, traditionally it was a little tricky to just watch another game after the Bengal's game was over. Granted you want to avoid things like those late summer opportunities to cut the grass, the much needed "putting in the storm windows" and other projects that need to get done in the fall - RAKING comes to mind. But seriously, who wants to do any of those things after watching your team. Very likely you have already had a beer or two. You can't simply NAP or your level of self disgust will increase exponentially. Besides all of that, it isn't always that fun to watch a whole entire game when you really don't care about the outcome. Worse yet, you might actually have to watch some bad football.
Enter the Red Zone.
This program has cameras in every stadium on every Sunday. The Red Zone will take you to any game in which a team is in scoring position (on the opponents 20 yard line or better - or, put more simply, 20 yards from the goal line). Once the kickoffs happen at 1pm and 4pm, it is nearly impossible during the next seven hours for some team NOT to be in the Red Zone. So the host, Scott (and yes ladies, well worth watching even if you don't care for football), will take you from game to game, carefully laying out the strategy each team used to get into the Red Zone. If more than one team is in the Red Zone, Scott goes split screen.
I'll be honest. I didn't care for the Red Zone when it first came out in 2012. I felt like to be a true football fan I had to commit to a game and watch it from beginning to end. Either that, or nothing. But over time, I have come to appreciate what the Red Zone offers. Excitement at any moment! And isn't this what our instant gratification society needs and wants? Isn't the most exciting part of any game the touchdowns? Most importantly, the Red Zone is a legitimate way to avoid those unpleasant chores previously mentioned.
When asked to help put together a computer desk, you can simply and honestly reply, "We are about to score here honey." People get that. They understand. The desk can be put together on either Tuesday or Wednesday (now the only nights in the fall in which no college or pro games are on - until late in the season when some college games ARE on - but that is a discussion for another day.)
So check it out. Fall in love, with the Red Zone, with Scott, and with your couch, again.
