Reading other fans messages boards this week, I was surprised how many fans really believe that the officials "fix" games. Buffalo fans are convinced that they are constantly hosed because they are a small market team, and the fact that the NE/Texans game the next week has been flexed, means the NFL will want the Texans to beat Buffalo. New England fans are whining that the Goodel hates them and didn't want them to go undefeated, so the refs called offensive PI on Gronk and a defensive hold on Chung late in the game. Now we all know both these fan bases aren't the sharpest, but seriously, they can't really believe there is a secret web of deception involving officials and the league office. If you just think logically it is such an absurd notion. Why would they do it? They already make ridiculous amounts of money. How much more would they make if the Texans are 7-5 instead of 6-6 going into the NE game? And how many people are in on it? All the officials? Just the referee? All the officiating crews? Officials make 175K a year. How much more would you have to pay them to throw games, and keep quiet? It is an absurd notion, but one a lot of fan bases seem to think. I haven't seen it here, and the Jets have had bad calls against them. Are NY fans just brighter?
The NFL does not fix games. It is virtually impossible. But fans are irrational and want to believe their team got screwed by a higher power--the League--to make them feel better about their team. _
It's impossible. If the NFL fixed games, the players would need to be involved and the result would be obvious. You can't fix a football game. It's not physically possible. These guys not only play for their paychecks but they play to be great. Saying the NFL fixes games is virtually saying the players are cheaters.
I honestly dont see a compelling reason why NFL games would be fixed.... the league is under so much scrutiny and stands to lose so much money if it was true. The inconsistent or just plain bad calls in football are due to incompetent referees. It's not like NBA, which is the most obviously fixed pro sports circuit in the history of competative athletics!
Games aren't fixed, but the rulebook has become so complicated, so convoluted over they years that some real hardcore simplification needs to occur. What is a catch and what isn't. What is a legal hit and what isn't. PI is ridiculous. Let the guys play defense. Sick of 4,000+ passing seasons becoming so commonplace. Games are like arena league/cfl games. And in order to encourage more passing and protect the QB's A TON of holding goes uncalled on the O line
Of course they do. Anyone who doesn't think that the refs are out to get the Jets is either a moron, SOJF, or both.
Pats fans are hilariously out of touch, its like holy shit you think YOU'RE the victims of the NFL? REALLY? Fucking entitled pricks…
100% I always wondered how people thought that got done. "The refs are conspiring against the Jets." "The league is conspiring against the Jets." So break this down--is there a meeting at the league offices where Goodell calls in his henchmen? Do they then call the head ref to set the plan in motion? Does the head ref then have a meeting with the other refs before the game to set the plan? And the next week when there is a whole new referee crew, do they start it all over again? Or is it just Goodell and no other henchmen involved? It's like folks who think we faked the Moon landing. Except there were SIX of them. All professionally filmed and photographed. Production crews numbering in the thousands. And they all kept quiet back then and have kept quiet since? LOL. _
The NFL does not fix games. The idea of it is absurd. Somebody would have came out and said something by now.
Yup lol The thought is ridiculous. Ok, the ref screwed up the Gronk call. Let's say he did that on purpose to fix the game. Does that mean that the rest of the plays in the game are fixed? The league told the Broncos to take the ball down the field and score. They told the QB to make the throws and complete them? The receivers to catch the ball and not drop it? All so the game can go as planned? The amount of shit that would have to go into a football game to fix it, is unreal. They would get exposed in a week. It's impossible. Plain and simple
And like that wouldn't be found out. Kind of like Volkswagen and their plan to set emissions in their cars while being tested. How big was the committee that sat around the table and thought (i) this is a good idea and (ii) how could anyone ever find out about it? _
thats the conspiracy nut's creed. Occum's Razor does not exist, its the total opposite. The more something is accepted the more likely its a falsehood perpetuated by sheep or something. Nothings a coincidence and everything has a secret motive behind it. Thats not to say there isn't some legitimately shady stuff going on sometimes, but the more hoops and people one has to go through to make it work, the less likely it is that this was all apart of some insanely overelaborate plan.
Fanduel and Draftkings certainly opens the possibility of it. You don't really know who has an account or who has cash on the game. Could be a player, could be a ref, you just don't know. A flag here, a missed FG there and cash is won. As long as the spectre of gambling on games exists on such a wide scale, you can't count out human greed as a factor. "The league" can't fix games, but people can certainly exert influence on a game.
I believe there is a degree of corruption in the NFL. I think we have seen officials with favoritism on the field. IMO it would be difficult to fix a game entirely. However, I think some advantages have been levied to one side, in the past; and most likely will happen again in the near future. Officials in the Dallas tour bus Goodell at Krafts for dinner before AFC championship game Above two directly compromise integrity Dallas-Detriot PI move the ball then reverse the call....looked like the call was right and they moved the ball, then change it (I don't think that has happened before) League covering up of New England stealing the first 20 or so plays from opposing teams locker room Steroid use (hard to believe a lot of players aren't using) Marijuana use (confirmed Aaron Hernandez blazed every day multiple times per lying* wife) Punishment timelines... Player punishments occurring before certain matchups Players paid under the table (Brady) Kraft and draft kings I'm sure the older fans here would have a ton more. This league is corrupt to a degree, but it would be difficult to completely orchestrate wins and losses without having a player in your back pocket (the last boy scout)... Which probably has happened before
Now you are on to something. 1 official could influence situations to favor a certain player during the course of a game. Not enough to guarantee an outcome but definitely tip the odds in the direction he wants.
Do you have a fanduel or draftkings account? If so tell me how a player or ref could fix a game to help them?
Of course--you can never control what a rogue individual would do. But it's not the NFL or the refs or a league wide conspiracy. _
