I agree that it looks like refs are using calls that you can use on just about every play (holding, illegal contact, hands to the face, pass interference, personal foul on QB hits, etc) to affect a pre-defined narrative. The problem is that nobody cares until the call goes against you...and then it just sounds like homers complaining. It all evens out, calls were bad both ways, it is what it is, blah, blah, blah.
I think a turning point may have been the Bears game yesterday. That punt return (how sweet was that by the way) was an obvious bit of tampering by the official that threw that flag. Not only was there no holding, the play explicitly called for providing no resistance to get at Hester. The official threw the flag as soon as it became apparent the play was going to work. The holding call was made up after the fact and happened to be called on a guy who didn't come within several yards of touching anyone.
The Bears likely lose that game anyway, but it was by no means over (kicking off down 3 with 30 seconds left). The problem is not that it was a bad call...it was obviously a made up call. As a result, I think you are going to see fewer calls late in games unless the infractions are clear. It would only take one or two more of these type of situations for the NFL to face a perception of being the WWE.
