I believe the kids call it “rage bait.”
It’s an advancement from “clickbait,” which is all about drawing the reader into clicking onto a story with a wild lure … that doesn’t pay off, in content or in logic, once that reader actually checks into the story.
And “rage bait”? It’s clickbait with an incendiary addition, featuring a claim so outrageous that the reader simply must check it out …
And then not only is there a lack of content and logic – there is also anger on the part of the reader because of how stupid the take is.
Which brings us to the Kansas City Chiefs and a 2025 prediction from FOX Sports.
The Chiefs are in the middle of one of the most dominant runs in NFL history. Making five Super Bowl appearances in the last six years, taking home three Lombardi trophies. In spite of getting demolished in last year’s Super Bowl by the Philadelphia Eagles, the Chiefs are about as dynastic as it gets …
And the smart money says they should be predicted to be among the premiere teams in the AFC again this year.
Unless …
You are a FOX Sports host trying to gain audience.
“The Herd with Colin Cowherd” sidekick and guest host Jason McIntyre this week predicted that the Chiefs would fail to make the playoffs in 2025.
“I don’t think the Kansas City Chiefs are a playoff team next year,” McIntyre stated.
He gave some wobbly reasons … and he gained some (mostly dismissive) responses on social media.
But maybe ignoring the goofy take is the best solution here.
The Chiefs are coming off a 15-1 with the roster essentially intact … led by arguably the best coach and the best QB in the sport.
Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes don’t automatically mean KC wins every Super Bowl ever year. (As we just saw.) But a few months after that success, with no dents put into this roster, and with KC clearly still the class of the AFC West …
A drop-off to the point at which this 15-win team turns into a massive loser is a terrible bet.
And that’s what we would politely say to the host about a Chiefs team that last failed to make the playoffs in 2014. We’d use the word “bet” …
Would you bet a TV segment on the Chiefs falling short of the playoffs? Sure!
Would you bet real money on it? No. End of conversation.
