. . . but Sam Darnold almost got his head torn off on a face mask in the EZ for a safety. The Vikings weren't winning anyway, but I have zero faith in the NFL anymore. This game is totally polluted. It was some kind of nonsense that the refs didn't see it and it wasn't reviewable? I saw the video which is no longer available because . . . NFL. Thoughts?
Here are a couple of thoughts: 1. It's one thing to "miss" a judgment call, such as pass interference or holding. The refs could call them on every play, so they have to exercise judgment and decide how much holding or jostling they'll tolerate, but missing an obvious and incontrovertible penalty like this face-mask penalty is inexcusable. 2. Whenever the refs miss an obvious penalty like this face-mask violation, I wonder how they can see all the ticky-tack penalties that they call but yet miss one this obvious. 3. A missed-call like this on a nationally televised game is so embarrassing that I bet face-mask calls will be reviewable next season. 4. Now that the NFL has embraced gambling as the best thing since the forward pass, these missed calls become fodder for some dark thoughts on the integrity of the refs and the league.
Where was the central replay review to step in and change it like they've done for so many Jets plays?
There are very few NFL games I have watched recently where I was not questioning the results of the game due to officiating.
It's inevitable there will be a Black Sox type scandal involving refs and or coaches and or players in the major pro sports at some point now that they've embraced Vegas & gambling. I think. Then they'll implement 'AI' BS to oversee these games. And a bit off topic man the clock struck midnight on Sam in Minnesota already? That's two in a row right?
Well said. And don’t forget the selective use of replay assist that no pre-game show or broadcaster has ever dared define as to when it is and isn’t used.
Probably a mixture of both. But I don’t understand how ESPN can own a sportsbook and essentially own the rights to the College Football Playoff as well as broadcast all four major professional sports. There needs to be a class action lawsuit against them for a major conflict of interest. Along with any other network provider. Fox Sports got rid of their sportsbook pretty quickly after opening it so I think ESPN is the only one left. I also think they should outlaw TV advertisements for sports gambling but that’s probably just me.
Agreed. Seeing the Manning family advertise "safe and responsible " gambling on ESPN for the NFL is certainly an eyebrow raiser.
Completely agreed with you on this. I think that the NFL is classified as "entertainment", not unlike professional wrestling, so all of the sportsbook stuff doesn't really come into play as far as conflict of interest is concerned. It's probably also why the referee issue is only payed lip service to every couple of years rather than truly fixing what would be a truly existential problem for the league if it were strictly focused on the competitive aspect of the game.
the problem isnt making mistakes. its doubling down on them. vid review should make this an extreme anomaly, but it doesnt b/c the vid refs are STILL PRIMARILY PROTECTING their coworkers, not going for TRUTH
I don’t think so, losses are team stats. Vs Rams 72% 240 yds 2 TDs. 128 qb rating Vs Lions 81% 259 yds 1TD 1 INT 103 qb rating
This new "replay assistance" thing on the fly only fuels people's distrust of the NFL and its refs. Sometimes they fix it with replay assistance, sometimes they don't. Sometimes the coaches have to challenge, sometimes they don't. What are they doing??? EDIT: saw JV made that point already
We all know he is capabce of string together a few decent games. Sams a good b/u. Capable of winning games when the team is strong defensively and can run the ball and has an elite WR. Seems a real nice kid. His QBR is coming down to earth- ie- regressing to the mean he has established over 6 yrs of NFL play. He's also due to get hurt and have to sit 3-4 games. He's got some softer opponents coming up. Colts and Jags to "get" well. But you SAW how he played vs Jets- when our D played decent. THATS WHO HE IS VS A DECENT D.
