Last night’s game was a fairly blatant attempt by the NFL to keep Pittsburgh afloat in the AFC chase.
Baltimore pulls out games like that because they’re good
Pittsburgh pulls out games like that because they’re favored
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Did you guys also notice the hip check from referee Tony Corrente before he threw the flag for taunting? Saw this last night before I turned off the stupid @#$%@# fixed game and was hoping someone else in the world had noticed by the time I woke up.
That's right, just like high school. Remember that one kid you didn't like so you would nudge your way into a "bump" as you passed in the hall? That was esteemed ref Tony Corrente and just-elevated-to-the-roster Cassius Marsh. Then he pulls the flag and throws it for taunting.
So let's retrace the steps here. It wasn't really taunting but you decided in your little pea-brain that would would only throw the flag if he ran into you (Marsh had long since turned around, jogging back to sideline), since you knew the call was b.s.? So you nudge your way backwards to make sure he "runs into you" to justify your call?
There's no history with Cassius Marsh, no reason to be out to get him, Corrente is obviously just mad because Pig Pen was sacked. There's only one word that can describe what I watched (besides idiot) and it's crystal clear.
BIAS
I know this league is pretty much trash anymore in the way it polices it's refs. In my world, my league, he's offered the standard severance package today. What we saw can only really be seen one way. It stinks like hell and is a total disservice to this game and it's fans.
The refereeing last night was some of the strangest I’ve ever seen
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
The called back Chicago TD was the difference in the game. They called them for a low roll block, that was legal. The problem was he never touched the defender. It was hard watching that game as you knew anytime Chicago had a chance, a flag would be thrown. The taunting penalty was assinine. Wat can jump around and flex towards the opponents, something he always does, and never a taunting call. Chicago got hosed. Even the referee in the booth was dumbfounded on some of the calls. People wonder why Pittsburgh always seem to win at home, this is why.
It's funny you say that, I was just about to post asking when do we realize and accept that the NFL is basically just the WWF/WWE?
Like I said, if that’s what you think it is, then you should stop watching.
I really probably should. I should also stop going to social media and watching movies/TV shows.
Also, it's entirely possible for things to be getting rigged (or nudged toward an expected outcome) without the league being the one to purposefully favor and without players even being party to it; heck without players OR refs being involved, even). It can also be as simple as individual refs on the take or even betting on games themselves.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
"It can also be as simple as individual refs on the take or even betting on games themselves."
And this is the question. The NFL, even has an "official" sports book. I personally think it is done to keep certain "prize franchises" relevant. Think of it, how many times has Ben been slightly grazed and a flag is thrown, while in the same game the opposing QB will be pummeled by Watt and others after releasing a pass? I see almost all Steeler games, living where I do, and believe me, it happens all the time. Those who want to poo poo this away as some fake conspiracy, probably have not witnessed it as much as many of us do.
So Fields slides late, bad move, but the defender hits him in the back of the head with a full shoulder. The lineman gets called for an illegal roll block, which according to the rules, was not illegal, and changes the point differential by 4 points. The taunting allowed Pittsburgh to get into field goal range. The late hit on Fields would have gave them a first down close to the goal. Instead, they get a FG. These calls directly influenced the scoring in this game.
This is also, one of the few times in my life, where on Facebook and Youtube, even Steeler fans are agreeing that the Bears were robbed.
This is why I've always said that CLE teams need to win their games decisively, so that refs' calls don't swing the our games. It sucks. But it's the world the NFL has created, and it's the world that CLE fans have had to live in since The Return.
If last Sunday's Cleveland Browns team can go out and drop 40+ on a home team division rival with .25-.33 of their starters out, that team needs to start winning games in this fashion all the freakking time. Because they can. They've repeatedly shown us that they can.
IMHO: The best antidote to 'ref poison': administer a weekly beat-down that leaves no question. Every. Single. Week. From here on out.
If they do that, refs can't change a single game they play That should be the Cleveland Browns' goal.
I believe it was in the first half. It was the call for the low block, even though it was in the TE box when you watch the replay. It was really a shady call, and one that you hardly ever see called when it's close to the TE box, but it was overshadowed by the Marsh penalty.
They called back the TD as a result of that play and ultimately had to go with the field goal.
Blue ostriches on crack float on milkshakes between the sidewalk titans of gurglefitz. --YTown
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Called back TD for bogus 15 yard low block call...
2nd & Goal at PIT 1 (9:19 - 3rd) A.Bars reported in as eligible. J.Fields pass short right to J.Graham for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN NULLIFIED by Penalty. PENALTY on CHI-J.Daniels, Low Block, 15 yards, enforced at PIT 1 - No Play.