NFL

NFL Refs Blow Another Call, Cost Falcons a Chance at Win

In the continuing story of how NFL referees are completely blowing teams chances at winning by missing simple calls, the Atlanta Falcons were victims to one of the worst calls of the season today.

After holding the Eagles with just over two minutes to play, down by six, the Falcons let a punt bounce, recovered and downed by the Eagles. Only the referees ruled that it was a muffed punt, giving the Eagles the ball. They went on to punch in a garbage touchdown to seal the game (and cover the spread).

Replays clearly indicated that the ball didn’t even come close to touching the Falcons punt returner, but being out of timeouts, the Falcons couldn’t challenge the call.

Not only was this terrible refereeing on the field, but the NFL’s atrocious challenge rules kept them from getting it right. Certain plays in the NFL have to be allowed to be reviewed by the booth, with or without timeouts or challenges.

I’ve lost count, but this is now a lot of calls that have been completely blown by NFL referees this season.

Additionally, the Falcons were hit with the newest terrible rule in football, the “hitting a defenseless player” rule. A pass was thrown over the middle and tipped, the receiver was dropped with what was clearly a shoulder to chest hit (perfectly legal), but the refs ruled that since he didn’t have time to brace himself, it’s a 15-yard penalty.

Troy Polamalu was right, but he was too nice about it.

If this is the new NFL, I want no part of it. Pussy rules with shitty refereeing. Yeah, that’ll get you ratings. Good luck, Goodell.

If you know what these buttons do, feel free to click on one.