Crim: From NFL streaming to Schreake’s freshman campaign to being bitterly cold outside, Sunday indoors offers plenty to think about

QUINCY — Random thoughts on a bitterly cold day while waiting for friends to post more Facebook pictures of themselves either playing golf or frolicking in a heated pool in Florida:

Would the NFL have considered postponing the Dolphins-Chiefs playoff game because of “dangerously cold” weather conditions featuring a “significant risk of frostbite” had it not inked an exclusive $110 million streaming deal with Peacock? …

I mean, the wind chill was minus-30 degrees. No matter what old-timers say that’s not football weather. It’s stay-in-the-house-by-the-fireplace weather. A piece of Patrick Mahomes’ helmet chipped off after a third-quarter hit, leaving a hole. Water sold at concession stands reportedly froze almost immediately. And then there was something you never see at Arrowhead Stadium – empty seats. …

Not that the NFL puts the interests of fans first. (New York’s governor forced its hand in postponing the Bills-Steelers game for a day.) The league is always looking to generate more revenue, and streaming is the newest avenue. Get used to it, folks. One playoff game this season, eventually the Super Bowl. Pro football morphs into boxing. …

As a Miami fan since 1970, I chose not to spend $5.99. Not because of cost, but on principle. Of course, had Kadarius Toney not lined up offsides, or had the Dolphins not squandered a 14-point lead in the final four minutes against the woeful Titans, they would have been hosting a playoff game as the No. 2 seed. …

Some flameouts in sports are always enjoyable. Like the Dodgers not reaching the World Series despite spending a gazillion dollars. Or the Patriots floundering to 4-13. Or the Lakers struggling and the University of Kansas losing at anything. …

With apologies to Matt Schuckman and Bob Gough, nothing — I repeat, nothing — is more satisfying than the Cowboys getting blown out of their own stadium as more than a touchdown favorite in the playoffs. It was their worst postseason home loss since 1969. Heavens to Stephen A. Smith. Ah, to have been a fly on the wall in Jerry Jones’ private suite. …

The game was only in the second quarter and some of my friends who are ardent Cowboys fans were throwing out the names of coaches to replace Mike McCarthy. Dallas has employed six coaches since it last reached the Super Bowl in 1995, not counting Barry Switzer, who hung around until 1997. Those six coaches have combed for four playoff victories and the Cowboys have gone one-and-done eight times. …

Maybe, just maybe, it’s the organizational structure that’s the problem. …

Mizzou fans basking in the glow of an 11-win football season and a top 10 ranking after a bowl victory over Ohio State may not have noticed the men’s basketball team is struggling. The Tigers lost in overtime to South Carolina on Saturday, its third straight SEC defeat to drop to 8-8 overall. …

Dennis Gates was the toast of Columbia a year ago when Missouri won 25 games to advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament, and rightly so. His second edition, minus most of last season’s starting unit, doesn’t appear to be on the same trajectory. Patience, fans, patience. …

Meanwhile, the Mizzou women’s team rallied to beat Vanderbilt for its first SEC victory in four tries. While the Tigers are 10-7 overall, the local interest is that Abbey Schreacke, the 6-foot freshman guard from Quincy Notre Dame, is making a mark. …

Schreacke has played in all 17 games, starting one, while averaging nearly 25 minutes of floor time. She is shooting 48.5% from the field and 41.2% from 3-point range while averaging 8.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per outing. A solid first collegiate season, with the best yet to come. …

Zion Richardson had quite a week for the Quincy University men’s basketball team. He scored 24 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, took a critical charge late and sank two clinching free throws in Thursday night’s victory over Truman State. He followed up with a heroic 30-point, 8-rebound effort in a narrow loss Saturday to Upper Iowa. “I’ll take him over any player in the league,” Hawks coach Steve Hawkins said. …

The strangest sight on Sunday? Cars parked in the eat-in stalls at Sonic. No knock on the food, which is great, especially the foot-long cheese chili dogs. But really, who eats in their car when the wind chill is well below zero? Better yet, who asks a carhop to bundle up to walk them their food in those conditions? …

Of course, the weather didn’t stop the pajamas-and-slippers crowd from venturing to Hy-Vee. Like low-riding pants and shorts, I don’t get the fashion choice. Then there was the woman who said as she hurriedly entered the store, “Maybe I should have worn my coat. I didn’t know it was this cold.” Hello?