This weekend, the country will be treated to what is supposed to be the NFL’s greatest game of the year — The Super Bowl.
Unfortunately, I can’t help but see that it’s going to appear a little tainted this year. Both the L.A. Rams (hard to say that again) and the New England Patriots are two teams that benefitted from NFL officiating during championship game weekend.
Every Saints fan is angry with the NFL, and they have a right to be. The non-call on the pass interference penalty was one of the worst penalties in the history of the NFL. It ranks up there with one of the all-time most controversial plays.
There have been a plethora of controversial calls from the Tuck Rule to the Immaculate Reception. The entire game of Super Bowl XL appeared to be rigged due to one-sided officiating.
The 2019 NFC Championship Game is going to be added to the list. Every person could see that it was pass interference except the ref watching the play unfold. Not only was it pass interference, it was also helmet-to-helmet contact, which is a personal foul.
The NFL can’t hide it and admitted they made a mistake, and it’s likely going to cause the director of officiating to be replaced.
The Patriots seemed like they benefitted from a number of reviews that went their way during their game with the Chiefs. There was an egregious roughing the passer penalty that kept a scoring drive going.
With all of the poor officiating, it seems like the games are rigged as a Las Vegas casino.
That being said, the Super Bowl just doesn’t seem to be as exciting as previous years. I’m sure it will get big ratings, but it just feels like the Chiefs and Saints should be playing for the Lombardi Trophy.
Brent can be reached at brent@newtoncountyappeal.com.
