As if you needed evidence that the NFL is truly a TV game, you have more proof here. Because of commercials, replays and other delays, most of the “action” is comprised of players standing around. Vox Media broke down the Cincinnati at New England game in October and found that most of the game had players standing around either in the huddle or just waiting at 35.5% with commercials next at 24.5% and replays at 10.7%.

NFL Graph(Courtesy Vox)

Actual gameplay took just 8.3% of the time. So we watch the NFL for just 8.3% of actual play. The rest we’re bombarded with commercials, promos and watching players stand. Maybe we all need to get outside more.

[Vox]

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.