For as long as I have been a football fan, I have always had faith that the NFL would do it’s best to ensure competitive balance from game-to-game and year-to-year. It’s one of the many reasons why we enjoy compensatory picks, a draft order tied to the previous year’s finish, and a salary cap. It’s the reason that football enjoys its place as crown jewel atop the American sports landscape.

While the Broncos quarterbacks are certainly at fault for their non-adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols, what the NFL did in response was cruel. Without an owner, a winning record, or anything positive to make an argument on their behalf, the NFL put their muddy boot on the throat of fair play and gifted the New Orleans Saints a win.

Forget your irritation as a Denver Broncos fan and think for a moment about the competitive balance of the NFC South and the NFC as a whole. Can you imagine fighting tooth and nail to get into the playoffs with guys fighting COVID and injuries only to look up and see that the NFL is handing free wins to your competitors? The NFL has never put their thumb on the scale of competitive balance like this in my lifetime and it’s an absolute disgrace.

This game should have been moved like the league had moved so many others. If the reason the Broncos weren’t given the leeway other teams were were because of their flagrant disregard for COVID rules, I call bullcrap. Other teams that had their games moved also violated the rules. Look no further than the Baltimore Ravens who had their game this week twice postponed, because an athletic trainer ACTIVELY CONCEALED SYMPTOMS and refused to wear a mask. I’m not asking for special dispensation, I’m asking for the same consideration other teams have gotten all year long. Clearly that’s too muck to ask.

Broncos fans were cheated out of a regular season game on Sunday. The competitive balance of the NFL has been compromised. The league actively diminished their product, sabotaging the spirit of fair play, and turned out a product that even FOX couldn’t tolerate any longer when they switched to another game in markets outside of Denver.

Lesson learned, NFL. What a joke.

HORSE TRACKS

Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson -- NFL making example of us by not moving game
The quarterback-less Broncos' game against the Saints went as expected, as practice squad WR Kendall Hinton finished with one completion.

Under ‘extreme circumstances,’ Vic Fangio proud of Broncos’ fight in loss to Saints
Undrafted rookie wide receiver Kendall Hinton and the Broncos fought valiantly against the two-loss Saints, but it wasn't enough.

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On Saturday morning, Hinton was a rookie practice squad player who had little chance of suiting up for Sunday’s game as a wide receiver, let alone as a quarterback. But circumstances changed quickly.

Denver Broncos SNF road underdogs at Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13
The Denver Broncos are betting underdogs in their Week 13 Sunday Night Football road game at the Kansas City Chiefs.

Quarterback-less Broncos no match for New Orleans: “We weren’t given a chance” – The Denver Post
The 112 yards of offense, six first downs and three turnovers? Forget it. The defense finally wilting after a strong first quarter and allowing 229 rushing yards? Old news. And the Broncos losing a third game this year by at least 25 points? Doesn’t matter.

NFL with no quarterbacks? The league's Covid-19 problems are just starting | Sport | The Guardian
The Denver Broncos were forced to play a back-up wide receiver at quarterback after Covid-19 hit the team. More chaos could be on the way

Sources - Denver Broncos' bid to start assistant coach at QB denied by league
The Broncos are expected to start practice squad wide receiver Kendall Hinton at quarterback Sunday, but the team wanted to start offensive quality control coach Rob Calabrese, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Vic Fangio 'disappointed' in Broncos QBs for not following COVID rules
Broncos coach Vic Fangio came away from Sunday’s blowout loss to the Saints greatly disappointed -- not in his team’s effort or that of makeshift QB Kendall Hinton. His displeasure was aimed toward three Broncos whose day job it is to man the most importa

Saints at Broncos score: Taysom Hill rushes for two touchdowns, Denver completes one pass in blowout - CBSSports.com
Hill collected multiple rushing touchdowns in his second consecutive game

Saints fined $500K, docked draft pick, Patriots fined $350K for COVID-19 protocol violations
The NFL continued this week to issue out financial and competitive discipline to teams violating its COVID-19 protocols. New England and New Orleans were each fined, while the Saints lost a seventh-round pick.

FMIA Week 12: COVID Wreaks Havoc on the NFL, But What Did We Expect? - Peter King, NBC Sports
Peter King's Football Morning In America column begins with a look at how COVID continues to wreak havoc on the NFL. Plus Week 12 news, notes and more.

Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp's message to fans: 'I will do everything I can' to bring you a winner
Lions principal owner Sheila Ford Hamp issued a statement Sunday evening to Detroit fans that she will do what it takes to bring a winning product to them.

Buccaneers running out of time to deliver on promise after loss to Chiefs
Are the Buccaneers broken beyond repair after falling to the Chiefs? Jeffri Chadiha says Tom Brady and Co. must figure out what they want to be before it's too late.

Willie Snead becomes Ravens' seventh offensive starter to test positive for COVID-19 this week, per report - CBSSports.com
Sunday marked the eighth straight day that the Ravens had had at least one positive test

Colts' Matthew Adams ejected for throwing punch a day after tweeting about 'picking up the boxing gloves' - CBSSports.com
Adams' tweet appeared to foreshadow his ejection against the Titans

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay says Jared Goff 'has got to take better care of the football'
Rams coach Sean McVay didn't mince words following his team's 23-20 loss to the injury-plagued 49ers on Sunday. "Our quarterback has got to take better care of the football," McVay said tersely after the game.

Jacksonville Jaguars fire GM Dave Caldwell after 10th straight loss
The Jaguars fired general manager Dave Caldwell on Sunday after a 27-25 loss to the Cleveland Browns dropped the team to 1-10 on the season.

Florida State cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. declares for draft - ProFootballTalk

49ers score on final play to beat Rams 23-20 and sweep season series - ProFootballTalk

Tom Brady makes quick exit from press conference after question about coaching - ProFootballTalk

Sunday Night Football: Aaron Rodgers throws four TDs as Packers rout Bears - ProFootballTalk

Tua Tagovailoa will remain Dolphins starter but under one condition, per Brian Flores - CBSSports.com
Flores isn't ready to go back to Ryan Fitzpatrick unless he has to

Chiefs at Buccaneers score: Tyreek Hill eviscerates Tampa Bay with career-best outing, flirts with NFL records - CBSSports.com
Patrick Mahomes used his favorite weapon to flame broil Bruce Arians' defense