mayoclinic

So, what exactly are you suggesting? That the NFL decided that the allure of a Harbaugh-Harbaugh SB was so great that they arranged for the game to be fixed? That they somehow bought of the Pats and got the team to buy into it?

I mean, really, how is that possible? Why would the Pats possibly go along with such a ploy? What could the NFL possibly do to make them throw away the chance at a Super Bowl appearance and tank the game?

And, in your scenario, if just one whiff of such a "fix" got out, it would blow up in the league's face to a level never before seen. The sepctre that any game could be fixed would make betting anathema. The league would lose all credibility. There would be congressional investigations.

There's no possible way anyone would risk that.

There is incompetency in the NFL by the boatload. Stupidity is legion. There is favoritism. There are double standards. But this kind of massive corruption? My best argument against it is that the risk would seem to greatly outweigh the reward. I wouldn't put it beyond any of the league bozo's selling out if they thought it was worth it, but I just can't imagine a scenario where that would be the case.

In any case, whether or not your conspiracy theory has any merit, crying about it can't help the Pats. Taking responsibility for the loss and addressing the problems that lead to it can. That's the path I would prefer to follow, personally.

But thanks for the backhanded compliment.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

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robbomango

I hit google images .00000000001 seconds after reading this...

Bill B.

Though, I don't buy into the whole conspiracy thing, I don't think it is that far fetched. The last two games for the Patriots had a lot of questionable calls. Usually these things even out. Guy is on his butt in the Division game and is awarded a TD even after replays show he leaned in the endzone after his butt was down. Hightower makes a stop for a loss and in the middle of his tackle the guy fumbles. No. Quick whistle. Referee doesn't pay attention when player tosses him the ball, Unsportsmanlike conduct. It doesn't take much to affect a game. How many drives had the Patriots had killed by offensive pass interference penalties. 7 during the year. I don't believe I have ever seen that called so many times on one team. Torey Smith's brother died 3 months ago. You can start calling offensive pass interference on him. He clearly pushed Cole down in the back to make a long catch. And Ridley had the ball in his hand until he hit the ground. What can you do when even the replays shows how a play should be called and the refs blow it. What really made me wonder was how Phil Simms kept calling the plays in the Ravens favor even before the replay was shown. It was almost like following a script.

I knew when I saw the 49ers win, it was going to be tough on the Patriots. As long as television, ESPN, and Vegas run the NFL, people are going to question the integrity of this game. This is Roger Goodell's NFL.

scott99

In the BIG games the Pats lost the last 5 years, the Pats scored 17 (SB 42), 14(SB46) & 13 (2013 AFCCG). In all of those years, the Pats led the NFL in points scored. Other teams, watch film like crazy, try to spot the Pat's weaknesses on Offense and exploit it. Also, the 3 defenses that held us to 17, 14 & 13 points were Big, Talented and Mean, the Pats offense is finesse, especially without Gronk. The Pat's offense struggles mightily against tough defenses.

As far as conspiracy's, I remember people thinking the Pats winning in 2001 was a conspiracy. How can an 11-5 team beat the Highest Scoring Team on Turf ? How can a no-name QB beat Kurt Warner ? Patriots ? 9/11 ? It had to be fixed. The word patriot started being used a lot by Republicans after 9/11. No way the Pats, a 14 point underdog, can beat the Rams unless it was fixed. I heard that for months afterwards, please stop making yourself look silly, Pats got beat by the better team, a team that has won the last 3 out of 4 against the Pats, and knows how to beat them.

Miktik

Conspiracy? Have we all of a sudden turned into a bunch of *****es like The Rams and The Colts?

DefenseRules

The Pats lost because they played like crap, and the Ravens made them play like crap. This team got hit in the mouth and didn't fight back. THEY CHOKED.
Conspiracies have nothing to do with the loss, IMHO.

That being said. I do not trust Roger Jetdell. I wouldn't put anything shady past him.

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JR4

Is the NBA the only sport that ref intervention existed(exists)?
If that sport was influenced by one or more refs why not the NFL.
All you need is two or more refs in a game to alter the outcome.

Also remember the refs non calls are just as important as the bad calls
we get to see bought to light.

Why did BB not interview after the game? Was he afraid he might say what he believed happened in that game.

Why was Brady not on fire trying to motivate his offense on the sidelines?
We've all seen Brady when he is really into the game motivating his team.
Not Sunday.

Miktik

BB not being interviewed after a big loss is business as usual.

I have seen games prior to Sunday where Brady isn't on fire. He's human. Maybe he reasonably was dejected because he just wasn't feeling it (See Ridly getting his clock cleaned on the fumble and Brady's tipped interception.), more pressure, just has a hard time with the Ravens, etc...
If the Ravens were a team he felt they had no business losing to (like say the Bengals) maybe he would act different and there would be more rage... who knows...

BrickPat

Do the anti Pats conspirators take the day off during their victories? Did the rogue refs call in sick for the Texans game?

At the risk if injecting logic I offer the following. Dozens to hundreds would have to be involved for any vast and intricate conspiracy to take place and be maintained in a multi billion dollar league in the public spotlight.

Think of it no death bed confessions or people with a grudge. Yeah the vast conspiracy has never had a whistelblower or someone who felt gulity enough to expose it.

Why?

Because THERE IS NO CONSPIRACY!

A bad call and/or bad luck and/or poor play are just that. Honest to God this is like listening to the self professed 9/11 "experts" who use the absence of facts as evidence.

Anyone who ascribes to this way of thinking is no better than Jets fans who believe that the Pats only won because of spygate.

As others have pointed out the Pats LOST simply because they were OUTPLAYED.

Please get over it.

wrinkle

Yeah your right the Pats were told by the nfl to throw this game for tv ratings!!! If that's what it takes to make you feel better because the Pats got they're butts Kicked by the Ravens then so be it!!!