From The Drive: Rank The Playoffs By Sport

Earlier today on The Drive, one of our Threefer Madness questions (brought to you by those plastic thingies at the end of shoelaces that keep them from fraying) was how we would rank the playoffs (mainly major American sports).

The way I interpreted the question led me to look at not just MLB and NFL, but also college basketball, football, and baseball, Golf (FedEx Cup), and even NASCAR (whatever their playoffs are called).

After careful consideration (and some popcorn), this is my conclusion:

1. College Basketball Tournament

Sure there are other sports bigger, but no playoffs become the social event that happens each and every March in college basketball. “Yeah right Dave, its not even CLOSE to the Super Bowl” you might say, and you would be 100% correct.

But I’m not talking about playoff games. I’m talking playoffs.

 [Jime Mora voice] Playoffs?? (Sorry, couldn’t resist)

The College Basketball Tournament brings everyone together. If everyone was being honest, 98% of people might watch somewhere between 0 and 3 games all year long. As for the other 2% that actually pay attention, it doesn’t really provide a major edge. You can spend 2 hours reading the experts and cruising ESPN in late February and catch up.

So Moms, Dads, Sisters, co-workers, and for the first time this year my 9-year old son all try to nail the Final Four and be the South Carolina Gamecock of the walk with their brackets.

Now imagine if you took all that passion and fun and involved actual money? Imagine if people got together and put actual cash in the pot and awarded it based on their picks!!! Of course that wouldn’t be legal, but man its fun to think about.

2. NFL Playoffs

 The endearing thing about the NFL playoffs (much like the College Basketball Tournament) is that it isn’t a series, its one and done. An entire season comes down to 60 minutes. That’s crazy. You can’t have a bad game, you can’t have the flu, no excuses. You lose, you’re on vacation.

I had originally put my next pick in this spot, but after further review, you have to factor in the Super Bowl. Yes, the College Basketball Tournament brings everyone together for an extended period of time, but nothing touches the Super Bowl as far as one game effect. It’s the King, the Grandaddy, the ultimate crossroads between sports and society.

3. The Stanley Cup Playoffs

 The crazy thing? I’m not even a hockey fan. Don’t get me wrong, I respect hockey and hockey fans to the end of the earth. I have long chased hockey around like the girl that got away in high school, but I just can’t seem to get into it.

Until Lord Stanley comes around.

Yes they play a series, not a one off. But these players are so hardcore and tight sphinctered you can’t help but feel it through the screen. Goals are so huge. I’m not sure I’ve ever been so on edge and nervous as I am when its tied late in the third or it goes to OT. God forbid you hit OT in a Game 7?

Get me a heart monitor.

Honorable Mention:

 NBA Playoffs, MLB Playoffs, Fed Ex Cup, Champions League

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