“Contrary to popular belief throughout New England, the Patriots do have influence in the offices of the NFL,” Bouchette wrote. “His name is Alberto Riveron, and he is the NFL’s senior vice president of officiating.”
Bouchette states that he is not accusing Riveron of favoritism, yet presents three replay rulings this year that went the Patriots’ way.
It’s an incendiary column geared at placating Steelers fans who remain upset at the fact that Jesse James didn’t make an easy catch on Sunday night, and it calls back Austin Seferian-Jenkins’ fumble at the pylon that led to a Jets turnover in a surprisingly close contest against the Patriots earlier this season. It also referenced Brandin Cooks’ borderline drop of the game-winning touchdown against the Texans in Week 3.
We could take them all one by one, or we could just say this: all three calls were made in line with the rules of the National Football League. Period. Full stop.