“We’re onto Buffalo...”

[Chris Stevenson]

I wish there was an alien emoji for masterpieces like that.

Really? Hmm. Did you see the Saints get jobbed last year? How does that happen?

I've been watching the NFL for almost 40 years and I never recall seeing such calculating funny business from the refs on stuff that almost is made up as they go. This all started when Goodell took over. There was never this level of bad officiaiting or is it because they want to try to arrange for certain results? Hmm.

Knowing their greed as owners, I am sorry, but stuff goes on.

Lastly, in the 2012 replacement ref weeks early in that season, I read an SI piece that had an unnamed replacement ref talking about penalties and non-calls, etc, mainly the drama in that Packers/Hawks game on Monday night......Anyway, the ref said they were "coached" to not make any calls at end of game plays......

This proves the league at least coaches refs on what they want, so it's not out of the realm of possibility to think they have conference calls before the games to strongly suggest certain expectations.

I mean, it's been like this since Goodell took over. Even the calls to get teams back into the game for ratings purposes, IMO, is definitely a thing.

 

[LightSkinSmurf]

I am kind of getting a good vibe in a sense that I think NE's offense will break out even against Buffalo's D.

I think yesterday was encouraging, save for the slow start and some missed opps by Brady (Sanu in the end zone, etc).

IMO, there is too much untapped talent there.

Pretty much the exact opposite of how I feel. I'm predicting a 15-13 pats win though.

 

[Clonamery]

Isn’t the game in Foxborough?

Yeah, they’ll only be in the GDT.

 

[Sicilian]

Really? Hmm. Did you see the Saints get jobbed last year? How does that happen?

Hanlon's razor - Wikipedia

 

[Chris Stevenson]

Hanlon's razor - Wikipedia

I am thinking of Casino when Ace has to fire the connected nephew of the cowboy state auditor guy when Deniro says: "He was either in on it or too stupid to know what was going on. Either way, I can't have a guy like that working for me."

Were the 2 refs standing there as the due took a hit to the head was interfered with, even demoted?

If they weren't, how can they possibly escape some sort of punishment from their bosses?

How do 2 humans miss that, standing right there?

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Really? Hmm. Did you see the Saints get jobbed last year? How does that happen?

Watch the second half. The Saints were the beneficiaries of multiple calls, including the drive before that call happened, when Jared Goff's helmet was hit which should have been an automatic first down and likely Rams touchdown to take the lead (rather than field goal to tie.) I didn't have a dog in the race but was annoyed by the "home cooking" that the Saints got, similar to the absurd homefield Chiefs got later that night with pass interference/defensive holding having blatantly different standards. That's why silly points that you're trying to make are so easy to shoot down. Yes, the Saints got hosed on that call at a critical moment of the game and it would have been essentially the game clincher. But why would biased refs, trying to ensure that the Rams win, call the game, if anything, in the Rams favor for 59 minutes?

The ref clearly shat his pants. It happens. He froze up with the "let them play, don't decide a conference championship game on a call" thought and it overrode his reason. The other refs should have overruled him.

Regardless, the Saints were stupid to throw the ball there to begin with, and they won the OT coin toss. Not buying some conspiracy on this one. Just like despite Boger's stupidity, I'm not blaming the Chiefs loss on the refs. Bad calls are just part of the game...in every sport...in every time period.

 

[Sicilian]

I am thinking of Casino when Ace has to fire the connected nephew of the cowboy state auditor guy when Deniro says: "He was either in on it or too stupid to know what was going on. Either way, I can't have a guy like that working for me."

Were the 2 refs standing there as the due took a hit to the head was interfered with, even demoted?

If they weren't, how can they possibly escape some sort of punishment from their bosses?

How do 2 humans miss that, standing right there?

Because if they demoted a ref every time they made a mistake, eventually everyone at the bottom would be back at the top again. Was it a horrible, blatant mistake? Absolutely. But it's not like it's the first time THAT'S ever happened, in the NFL or otherwise. You're trying to call it nefarious when all I saw was stupidity.

 

[Chris Stevenson]

Because if they demoted a ref every time they made a mistake, eventually everyone at the bottom would be back at the top again. Was it a horrible, blatant mistake? Absolutely. But it's not like it's the first time THAT'S ever happened, in the NFL or otherwise. You're trying to call it nefarious when all I saw was stupidity.

I don't agree. That's a title game. They are supposed to have their best working those games.

I think they did the ol' "if it's close for LA, don't call it" business. Sorry, but the move to LA is probably going to backfire, hence why the Chargers are looking at London.

 

[Chris Stevenson]

Watch the second half. The Saints were the beneficiaries of multiple calls, including the drive before that call happened, when Jared Goff's helmet was hit which should have been an automatic first down and likely Rams touchdown to take the lead (rather than field goal to tie.) I didn't have a dog in the race but was annoyed by the "home cooking" that the Saints got, similar to the absurd homefield Chiefs got later that night with pass interference/defensive holding having blatantly different standards. That's why silly points that you're trying to make are so easy to shoot down. Yes, the Saints got hosed on that call at a critical moment of the game and it would have been essentially the game clincher. But why would biased refs, trying to ensure that the Rams win, call the game, if anything, in the Rams favor for 59 minutes?

The ref clearly shat his pants. It happens. He froze up with the "let them play, don't decide a conference championship game on a call" thought and it overrode his reason. The other refs should have overruled him.

Regardless, the Saints were stupid to throw the ball there to begin with, and they won the OT coin toss. Not buying some conspiracy on this one. Just like despite Boger's stupidity, I'm not blaming the Chiefs loss on the refs. Bad calls are just part of the game...in every sport...in every time period.

Fair enough, but I don't see these as the "chintzy PI" call variety. It's the timing and how bad they are that matter.

I mean, look, I watch enough baseball and hockey to see how suspicious this crap is. This doesn't happen quite like this in other sports. Also, the arrgoance isn't there either. This is a league that has rejected sensible suggestions to improve and it gets WORSE by the year. Is it really WORSE or is it because they want to be able to control the refs?

Sad day when the NFL has the worst officiating by far over umpires in baseball or the NBA.

Hockey has actually gotten worse with these new generations of bozo the clown refs who just see what they want to see, too.


Worst in order:

1. NFL*


2. NHL
3. NBA
4. MLB

*Likely money-related

 

[Kid~Brady]

God help us against that defense. That's all I have to say.

Same for them against us. Definitely gonna be a low scoring, defensive game to me.

 

[luuked]

Really? Hmm. Did you see the Saints get jobbed last year? How does that happen?

It is called Hanlon's razor. Look it up.

I've been watching the NFL for almost 40 years and I never recall seeing such calculating funny business from the refs on stuff that almost is made up as they go. This all started when Goodell took over. There was never this level of bad officiaiting or is it because they want to try to arrange for certain results? Hmm.

Or maybe we have had similar problems forever but the lack of UHD cams, high resolution slow motion and the lack of social media that acts as a multiplier made you feel like that.

 

[mgteich]

We all will be very disappointed if we don't win the turnover battle.

Tough game Saturday, if Brady posts his averages vs playoff teams this season on Sunday - 52.23% completions and 68.56 rating the Patriots will not win UNLESS they win the turnover battle and/or get some +50 field position. Brady cannot move the ball consistently...let's hope it changes Sunday

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I can't believe we opened as seven point favorites...down to 6 1/2...but still, i thought it would be closer to 3...

 

[sambam94]

really feels like a 13-10 game

 

[Tottie]

Rest Jules and put Harry, Sanu and Myers in there!

 

[BradytoMosstoGronk]

Is bildo Fan gonna be there? Harry better watch his footing near the end zone.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Haha, the Bills fans are so obsessed they are following us on their message board...

Week 16 - Bills @ Patriots*** Line Bills (+7) [lets kick some ***]

 

[Uptown]

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Rest Jules and put Harry, Sanu and Myers in there!

But Myers has shown very little. I keep hoping for him, but he still does not look comfortable. Harry and Sanu looked a lot better Sunday.

 

[Tottie]

But Myers has shown very little. I keep hoping for him, but he still does not look comfortable. Harry and Sanu looked a lot better Sunday.

I thought he's looked horrible at times and good at others. He's had games where he's had many targets so maybe they already know what they have I guess. Where the heck is dorsett ?