Detroit Win... "Grassy Knoll"?

[mattb78]

I do not believe the NFL is fixed, but sometimes "influenced" mostly in the nature of keeping a game competitive. I have seen too many pass interference calls on a team down multiple scores in the 4th quarter to think the NFL is a straight up game. Mostly, I think it is to keep viewers watching the game, and not to help one team or the other. I feel for the most part it is harmless.

I noticed early in the week that alot of experts were picking against the Bears which surprised me because most lines were +2.5 to +3.5 CHI.

Although not all inclusive, http://nflpickwatch.com/ shows most expert picks and Detroit had a 74% pick rate which is REALLY high for an underdog, especially a WINLESS team.

Just wondering if the experts knew something that we didn't. Maybe the NFL didn't want Detroit to go 0-6?

This could all be ridiculous though. The 2008 Lions were winless. Everyone cries about the refs.

Additionally, the Bears did seem to get some officiating help with 2 PI calls to kick a game tying fieldgoal.

This is not a crying thread. The Bears lost. Just wanted some general discussion about the topic. Do you think NFL games are fixed, moderately influenced, mildly influenced, or straight up?

 

[FirstTimer]

straight up?

This.

 

[Ares]

I don't think there is any large conspiracy, I think the refs have a large confusing rulebook to call and as such they are starting to throw flags early and often and figure out why they threw it later.

My big gripe is just consistency... if they wanna call holding harshly? Call it harshly all game for both teams.

Alshon Jeffery getting all those OPI calls against him a couple years ago.... no problem, but then they shoulda been all over the GB receivers for the same infraction no matter how minor.

Refs don't have an easy job but they don't even attempt to call things consistent.... game in and game out, holding, illegal contact, DPI, OPI.... its all way too subjective and they obviously give grace to star players.

If you wanna "let em play" then call that way all game for both teams in all situations.

If you wanna enforce the rules harshly, call that way all game for both teams in all situations.

 

[didshereallysaythat]

Chicago was +3 meaning they were the underdog. With that, 74% of experts picking Detroit (the favorite) seems pretty reasonable.

I think you inadvertently switched who was favored.

 

[Dumpster Fire]

There needs to be some kind of change. I don't really know what it could be. More things should be able to be challenged. These refs are making judgment calls on the field and then changing their minds under the hood. That should be an option for something like pass interference or roughing the passer. The NFL has more than enough resources to add more refs on the field and more cameras.

When FOX has Mike P give his opinion on a play and the refs actually calling the game go against his point of view, it doesn't look good. When it happens to my favorite team three different times in this season so far, I really start to feel sick whenever something is challenged or a flag is thrown. The NFL should borrow from NHL/MLB. Have a panel of people monitoring these games, send these controversial plays to the remote office for a judgment. Don't have the refs go under the hood. The game is too big to have these controversies in nearly every game every weekend.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

This thread is going to make omelet want to rip his dick off.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

As a guy who is slowly moving up in the football refereeing world, I'm not sure there is an appreciation for how quickly and NFL official has to make a decision. The speed of the game, and the time it takes to process a call (again, some are easy/obvious) lends itself to mistakes.

There's no conspiracy. Lack of consistency, sure - but no grand conspiracy to make one team win more than another.

 

[FirstTimer]

As a guy who is slowly moving up in the football refereeing world, I'm not sure there is an appreciation for how quickly and NFL official has to make a decision. The speed of the game, and the time it takes to process a call (again, some are easy/obvious) lends itself to mistakes.

There's no conspiracy. Lack of consistency, sure - but no grand conspiracy to make one team win more than another.

I always love the "conspiracy against the Bears" line of thinking. Yeah, I'm sure it's a real great idea by the NFL to make sure one of their flagship franchises in a massive media market loses games.

 

[Ares]

I always love the "conspiracy against the Bears" line of thinking. Yeah, I'm sure it's a real great idea by the NFL to make sure one of their flagship franchises in a massive media market loses games.

Well they hate us.... so yeah

 

[Monsieur Tirets]

the woman in the polka dot dress.

 

[Warrior Spirit]

I think it's been proven to occur in just about every other sport. In football, I'm inclined to say no but sometimes you have to wonder. Calls going in favor of an 0-5 team is not one of those times.

 

[JesusHalasChrist]

The refs are a smokescreen. The Packers bribed Angelo and Emery to tank this team, and they did a very good job.

 

[mattb78]

I think that PI calls have to be a reviewable penalty. I know this seems like an nightmare, but they need hard and fast rules for Defensive and Offensive PI calls.

I agree that the refs have a very difficult job.

I have seen the scenario time and time again. 4th quarter, under 10 minutes left, and a team down 14 points gets a tough Defensive PI call to extend their drive.

I would love to see Congress get involved in this. "Trustworthiness in Sports Bill". Federal crime for anybody to influence a game or conspire to influence a collegic or professional game to the benefit of another person or team. This along with a whistleblower/immunity clause.

We can't have pro sports be the 64,000.00 question. I think the NBA is the biggest offender next to boxing.

 

[gwharris2254]

Come on everybody its human nature, and afterall the refs are human.

Look at the arguably Best QB in football getting knocked to the ground .. AR .... naturally the refs are gonna try to protect his ass. Same goes for all the top guys in the league. Its not favoritism, its just that when Calvin Johnson goes up for a ball is it more likely he needs to push off or the DB ?

Its like the tie goes to the runner in baseball idea here. The "tie" or call goes to the Top 100 player.

No conspiracy just the way things work.

Usually on an objectionable call you almost always get another going the other way though to try to balance things out or so it seems.

Unless of course, its the leagues's "dandies" ... the fudgepackers. They seem to get everything their way, most of the time.

At least now we have Fox that can actually challenge a call and win occasionally instead of Lovie to call a TO and lose a challenge mentality or lack thereof

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

This thread is going to make omelet want to rip his dick off.

Who cares? The guys a loser.

 

[Ralpf]

Bad calls are one thing, it is a tough game to officiate and no one can argue against that.

That overturned interception is a different story, I don't think it is a conspiracy, I think it is incompetence.

Also I think refs like some players (personally) better then others, you see refs talking and laughing with Rodgers and Peyton Manning before games, and then wonder why they may get some calls go their way? Again, I don't think it's a conspiracy, it's human nature. I think the NFL needs to look at that, maybe refs shouldn't take the field until right before the coin flip. Though I don't think there is a fix there, assuming it's not just a figment of my imagination.

 

[gwharris2254]

Yes. Its like the saying goes, " You get more flies with honey than you do with vinegar " Its a a game that Manning and Rodgers play with the refs before during and after the game. They are constantly honeying the shitoutta them, then eventually when they get a questionable call against them and complain, you will see them get a few objectionable calls going for them later

 

[didshereallysaythat]

Yes. Its like the saying goes, " You get more flies with honey than you do with vinegar " Its a a game that Manning and Rodgers play with the refs before during and after the game. They are constantly honeying the shitoutta them, then eventually when they get a questionable call against them and complain, you will see them get a few objectionable calls going for them later

It's like the waitress who "flirts" with the guy customers while serving them.

 

[gwharris2254]

Exactly, and then gets 20% tips routinely

 

[3rd N Long]

I do not believe the NFL is fixed, but sometimes "influenced" mostly in the nature of keeping a game competitive. I have seen too many pass interference calls on a team down multiple scores in the 4th quarter to think the NFL is a straight up game. Mostly, I think it is to keep viewers watching the game, and not to help one team or the other. I feel for the most part it is harmless.

I noticed early in the week that alot of experts were picking against the Bears which surprised me because most lines were +2.5 to +3.5 CHI.

Although not all inclusive, http://nflpickwatch.com/ shows most expert picks and Detroit had a 74% pick rate which is REALLY high for an underdog, especially a WINLESS team.

Just wondering if the experts knew something that we didn't. Maybe the NFL didn't want Detroit to go 0-6?

This could all be ridiculous though. The 2008 Lions were winless. Everyone cries about the refs.

Additionally, the Bears did seem to get some officiating help with 2 PI calls to kick a game tying fieldgoal.

This is not a crying thread. The Bears lost. Just wanted some general discussion about the topic. Do you think NFL games are fixed, moderately influenced, mildly influenced, or straight up?

I don't have time to read the thread right now but the title of it made me smile.:lol: