Cowboys don’t have to worry about NFL’s idiotic playoff live stream agreement

The NFL loves nothing more than getting in its own way. For one, officiating has grown increasingly worse over the years and likely won't improve. Dallas Cowboys fans know this all too well. Roughing the passer penalties, fine rulings and even business decisions are just some of the issues fans have with the league.

The frustrating part is the NFL can keep tripping over itself and folks will still watch. The product itself is addicting, which is ultimately all that matters.

That won't stop the public from criticizing the league when it's called for, however, and that held true following its latest decision.

On Monday, the NFL announced Peacock will host the first-ever exclusive live streamed playoff game. The streaming service will present a game on Super Wild Card weekend in primetime on Jan. 13, 2024.

Being the marketing juggernaut they are, the NFL wouldn't dream of sticking the Cowboys on Peacock. If they make the playoffs again, look for Dallas to appear on one of the major TV networks such as ESPN, Fox, NBC or CBS.

Cowboys luckily won't play a part in NFL's playoff live stream on Peacock

This obviously benefits no one. While the league will reap the financial rewards, this decision makes life more difficult for fans to watch the NFL's product. Surely the powers that be thought of this during the decision-making process.

At the end of the day, though, nothing trumps the money card, which is infuriating because fans already have to pay $400 for Sunday Ticket.

Being the most popular sports league in the country, one would think the NFL would strive to make games more accessible. And yet, fans will have to stream games -- largely primetime games -- on Peacock, Amazon and YouTube.

While the Cowboys are often an easy target for the media given their national and polarizing brand, it comes in handy from time to time. This, ladies and gents, is one of those times.

It's being speculated that the winner of the AFC South is destined to end up on Peacock in the first round of the playoffs. There's just not much appeal or marketing upside with the Jaguars, Colts, Titans or Texans.

Think about Jets fans, too. Imagine watching your team's first playoff game in 13 years on a streaming service? Who wouldn't be furious?

Luckily, Cowboys fans don't have to worry about that. The team's Wild Card showdown against the Buccaneers last year -- broadcast on ESPN's Monday Night Football -- broke 32.1 million viewers for the most watched playoff game in Walt Disney's history.

Still, we can't help but sympathize with fans who are dreading the possibility of having to watch a playoff game on a streaming service.

Good job, NFL. You've done it again.