Looks like the Patriots are going to cruise to the Championship game. The officiating is a joke, any time the Titans make a big play or a big stop or if it could go either way, the Patriots get a helping hand from the officials. Its bad when the Halftime show guys are all saying that New England is getting all the calls. They even changed a call on the field from a false start on the Patriots to encroachment on the Titans, which gave the Patriots a first down on 4th down. After review, Patriots clearly moved first. Its like they aren't even trying to hide the fact that there is favoritism for the Patriots... That being said, Titans aren't helping themselves out. Gifted 15 yards in the red zone on a stupid penalty, then a head scratching 4th down call at the end of the half, wasting timeouts...Patriots would be winning without help, but with the help this is going to be a blowout unless the refs start calling this game down the middle.
In the NFL these days it only takes a few calls from the refs. Most games are decided by a few plays. An offensive PI on a big first down play, a crack back block that has been called every chance they get doesn't get called and the 4th and 5 false start mysteriously changed to a encroachment call. Those 3 plays alone can change 50% of NFL games. Not even talking about the holding calls for or against that seem to go only one way. Good luck beating that.
I don't mind when that happens occasionally, because for almost every other team you know will be on the other side some day. Not so for the Patriots. They get every call their way, the head official is in their corner. Any opponent has to beat the very good Patriots team + the officials and replay guys.
Perhaps beloved Techheart is rubbing off on me, but before the game started my thoughts about the AFC championship game were “do you think the NFL executives really wanna see Tenn or Jacksonville in that game or worse yet both of them?” I expected NE to get most if not all of the questionable calls. Besides the OPI on Decker and the encroachment penalty when it was clear the offense moved first, there was a face mask on that 4th and 1 before the half. All 3 calls were possession changing calls. Our beloved Super Steelers better be treated the same way tomorrow or the NFL may get a sh1tty championship game next week which will impact ratings and their bottom line.
I'm with you in that thinking. They are really pushing that Pitt/NE rematch, or at least NE in the Championship game. And I hate thinking like that. I want to believe this game is pure and its one team against another, may the best team on the field that day win. But this season NE has a crap defense, but they compensate by getting all the calls. I feel like the NFL had a huge hand in placing the Patriots in the AFCCG this year. I mean 5 minutes into the half Romo and Nantz were definitively talking about the Pats hosting the Jags/Steelers. Just takes the thrill and magic away from the game. I want to believe this is a clean game, and outcomes are determined on the field, but watching every disputed call go the Patriots way its gets a little harder to believe. I choose to believe the game is clean and that any team can be beaten, and any team can overcome adversity. Maybe both of us should join Tech ajm
Always entertaining watching the NFL. Observation certainly breeds speculation in this league. We will meet back tomorrow to see how those games go.
The NFL leans the Patriots most of the time. Reading about people b*tching about it is probably funny. His team is in the AFC Championship Game, lots for him to be happy and joyful for. Hopefully in a little while the Steelers will join them. Have to get past this Jacksonville defense before I give any more thought to the Patriots.
Yet nothing is "pure" in this life. Refs in college play often call games in favor of teams from their conference especially when playing mid-major teams. Our own lives reflect bias and impurity. Our politicians are biased. Our judges do not treat everyone equally under the law but punishment for same crime varies based on degree of wealth, gender, and many other considerations. If the NFL was pure then it would be the only thing I can think of in this life that is that way! . Corporations seek to maximize profits, and NFL is no different (they have a legal structure that allows it). I think the NFL is about as pure as anything else in this life. It is not scripted as far as I can tell but there is clear bias at times. That's just like everything else (except for say movies and theatre and pro wrestling). I don't bother myself with expecting anything to be pure anymore. That's the reason people, myself included, want there to be a heaven so they can experience something pure some day. Until then, better to enjoy the good things in this life as much as possible in spite of their impurities! The NFL is a blast, let's enjoy it today! #RevengeTour starts at 1:00 pm.[/QUOTE] I'll be the first to admit I'm naive about the league creating the matchup to generate ratings, or at least giving a push to popular teams. At least till this year. I don't know if I am just paying attention more or if they are just more open about it this season but every time I see a replay in a Pats game as long as there is close to reasonable doubt it goes their way. I mean they had one play take away a TD last night, but the runner was clearly down and they had to rule against the Patriots. Anyways, no more about the Patriots today. Today, everything focused on Jacksonville. Going to take a good game all around to take the Jags out.
