Let me stipulate ahead of time that I simply do not believe that the NFL fixes games. That said, it isn't necessary to go to all this trouble depending on what you're trying to do. If you want to assure that every play is scripted with 100% certainty of outcome, then yes you need a very large conspiracy like what you're describing Falco. OTOH, if you just want to tilt the game it is easy enough to just get the officials and let the teams play ball. From there you just need to make sure you call holding penalties at the right times, ignore it other times, and basically tilt the field in whichever direction has written you the juiciest check. I don't think any players would have to be involved in this case, although you'd get some bitching front the players. If you were careful this wouldn't stand out because players piss and moan about calls all of the time and so do we. But as I said, I don't think this happens and the NFL is a completely clean organization.... now excuse me, I have to go deposit some checks.
I do believe a Rex Ryan led team does get more calls against them. He antagonizes the refs with his antics and his teams are less disciplined. It seems like we get less penalties this year, oh wait ....Colon is out, my bad. Seriously, the refs influence games, but it is not NFL mandated. The NBA however is nothing but a fix from the draft lottery on.
I understand what you're saying but my theory is based on fan reactions. They react as if the game is scripted and it was planned all along. Either way, the claim is ridiculous.
I believe some star players get preferential treatment in the NFL, but I think that's with every sport. I wouldn't call that being g fix tho
There's no outright fixing of games, you can't really do it in football, but there may be an inherent bias for and against certain teams and players which btw happens in the NBA plenty.
Its definitely not WWE and I don't think there is a big conspiracy like some stupid fans will suggest but you have a game that is based on a great deal of arbitrary calls that can easily flip the game in either direction. On top of that its a game rooted in big money. So the potential is certainly there. Just for example, I don't think Goodell's scripting who will win the Jets / Giants game from his evil lair on 5th avenue but I imagine a scenario could be possible where a high ranking NFL official, with an agenda (personal or otherwise), might say to the referees assigned to the game- "hey, watch for holding on the Jets offensive line" : fast forward to the game and the Jets are down by 4 midway through the third quarter. Fitzpatrick throws a screen to Ivory that goes the distance.... but wait. a flag "holding" on the Jets of course. and the TD is nullified -the Jets punt, eventually they lose by 7. Now- of course the Jets could've thrown a bomb TD the very next play or any number of things could happen subsequently but you see how just one little suggestion from the league office could sway the whole thing in a very subtle manner. things like: pass interference holding taunting some other personal fouls like unsportsmanlike conduct/unnecessary roughness.. honestly they could be called nearly every single series (sometimes play) if the officials saw to it that they wanted to because they are so vague. that offers scary potential for "fixing" This doesn't even get into things like catch vs. no catch: "football move", "maintain possession"... etc. very arbitrary and masking potential for fixing... Consider the Giants Super Bowl win against Buffalo. Buffalo's fast paced offense with small receivers was shutdown by the Giants defense that day even though nobody had shut them down all year. Their receivers were mauled in that game and Belichick as Giants defensive coordinator is rumored to have told his DBs that the NFL doesn't want to call pass interference on every play.... that's how games are rigged. so bottom line, I think its certainly possible. Whether it is happening or not, Idk, but its easily possible, more than any other sport (basketball being the closest)
Example, official joe is calling the saints v patriots. He also has nep kicker in a big jackpot game on dk and fanduel. 3rd and g Brady throws a td. But wait, official joe calls holding back them up 10 yarsd and just increased the likelihood that his kicker is coming out for a fg. You can call holding on almost any play so why not.
To me it's unbelievable to see fans of 10-1 team cry soooo much about a loss, like shit, how many other fans wish their teams were in that position? if we were 10 and 0 and lost our first game of the season in OT I would be like, oh well, just waiting for the playoffs honestly. I swear Pats fans remind me of Yankees fans, they really can't take a loss. Also, the calls they are complaining are the same types of calls made in every game, it wasn't like a ridiculous fail mary blown call situation, they were close, somewhat questionable calls that always happen.
The NBA had fixed games based on crooked refs. It's definitely possible but I think it would take a ref crew working together to do it and so I think it is unlikely. I worry more about the official who is a secret fan making sure his team gets a crucial call at some point during a game.
The outcomes arent fixed. But I do believe that if the refs are able to , they will keep a game competitive for as long as possible. And they also will try to keep it as close to the point spread as possible as well.
And the same type of calls that have been going the Pats way for over a decade. i don't think it's fixed but i do agree that bias towards certain teams is almost undeniable. The Pats were on the receiving end of this favoritism for years and now that it's flipping they can't handle it.
