Well, I think the fixing is relative to current marketing not historical...Let's say team A is gathering steam as the season goes on, and stations showing their games are getting better ratings.  You will then  start seeing them in closer matchups as time goes on, and with more airtime exposure (where the real money is in the TV ads).  Invevitably somebody drops the ball on an otherwise very easy catch, there is a fumble,or, and this is a classic, I have seen it so often, the ball is "picked off" in that last desperate play that would otherwise set them up for a field goal to win or touchdown score (and most of those look very much like the quarterback just threw it squarely to the opposing team's player).  

Tell me I'm full of it, I don't care.  I still say it is fixed or at least "somewhat manipulated".    I have never watched professional sports, especially football the same way, since a chance meeting with a former pro player many years ago at a party.   Albeit, the guy may have been just disgruntled.  He had played for the Cleveland Indians, and knew several players on the Browns (or had played for them also, I don't recall, and I don't remember the guys' name but..) he gave me the scoop on several issues where coincidence sounded more like predetermined destiny.   Open or exchanged playbooks, times out and stoppage of play for TV ads...I mean it went on and on...Whatever, it did a head job on me, and I have never watched football the same way since.  Maybe B-ball, Hockey are different. 

Patriots and Eagles in the Superbowl. 

G