2014 NFL Season Thread

[Rockstar Matt]

Cowboys fans are not willing to address the 800 lb elephant in the room. Picking up the flag? Dez Bryant not being penalized for coming on the field?

How about the non call on Detroit for running into our punter? How about the bogus offensive PI called on Terrence Williams in the 2nd quarter? My point is bad calls happen to both teams.

In my opinion, after that penalty where the officials picked up the flag, their punter kicking the ball ten freakin' yards did them more harm.

I didn't see anything so egregious that I thought the refs were throwing the game in any one teams direction. I just thought they were not very good today.

Don't even bother man. Everything is fixed and the Cowboys were handed this victory. :Eye Roll:

Evidently. It's not like the Cowboys earned their way back into the game or anything after being down 14-0... It's not like the Lions had the ball with 2 minutes to go with the game on the line...

[Balu the Bare]

...and the pretty blatant holding no-call on what would eventually be the game winning touchdown pass? Nobody is saying that Dallas didn't fight their way back from being down 14-0 then 20-7 to get to 20-17 and put themselves in a position to win the game. Nobody is discounting that. What -is- being said is that the picked up PI called changed the game. Instead of a fresh set of downs, it's 4th and 1. No the incredibly shanked punt didn't help matters, but to say that was more detrimental to the Lions is to deny that the PI call had any significance on the way the game was played and ignores the fact that had the call been made DETROIT WOULD NOT HAVE PUNTED IN THAT SITUATION! Add in that an additional 15 yard flag on Dez Bryant would have put the lions around the 15, if I remember right, and you have a completely different situation than 4th and 1 and out of field goal range. Do we know what the outcome of the game would have been if that call had been made? No. Dallas still could have driven down the field and scored or recovered a fumble or got a pick 6 or something, but likely not before Detroit took at least a little more time off the clock. That call changed the game. There is no doubt about that.

[Coast2CoastAM2006]

I do not dispute that the penalties all around were bad and played a hand in the Cowboys winning. There is no question it helped shift the momentum of the game. Lions fans should be pissed about that and I will not dispute it because it is a fair claim. That said the Lions did their fair share if not more to lose the game by their own merits.

HOWEVER:

• After jumping up 14-0 in the first quarter, the only managed 6 points in the next 3. 3 of those points came in the first half when they were in full control of the game. They only managed 3 points in the second half.

• Also consider, in the first half they allowed the Cowboys near the end of the half to cut the lead in half. Even though they did manage a field goal near the end of the quarter.

• They turn the ball over early in the 3rd quarter, which nearly leads the Cowboys missing what would have cut the lead to 17-10.

• After getting up 20-7 at one point in the 3rd, they were held scoreless the rest of the game and they allowed the Cowboys to come back and cut the lead to 20-14. Then tack on another 10 in the fourth.

• I get that the penaties helped but the Lions shot themselves in the foot by A) not putting up touchdowns in the second half and only being regulated to field goals after going up 14-0 and only 1 fg in the second half and b)allowing the Cowboys to outscore them 17-3 in the second half. That's not even including the botched punt that led to the game winning touchdown.

• With all of that said, the Lions still had 2:30 minutes to drive down the field and put up points and put together a game winning drive. Instead Stafford gets sacked, turns the ball over.

[NJTank]

1st and 10 at the Dallas 30 up 3. The Lions would have to really screw he pooch to not take at least two minutes off the clock and score a Field Goal

[DarkJourney]

Jerry & Stephen Jones were both seen partying it up with the head of NFL officiating back in August if I'm not mistaken.

[infrared41]

Let's not forget the human factor in the Lions - Cowboys game. I have to think that getting screwed on that PI call was pretty deflating to the Lions. Add in Detroit's lack of playoff success, their QBs record against good teams, etc. and it doesn't take much get the "here we go again" avalanche started.

I'm with BBTV, I don't think games are literally fixed, but you'll never convince me that the officials don't sometimes call games to favor of one team over another.

[Sport]

It was a pretty rotten call that really swung momentum in Dallas' favor. You can't deny that.

To my feline brothers in playoff futility, I'm here for you.

[OnWis97]

Let's not forget the human factor in the Lions - Cowboys game. I have to think that getting screwed on that PI call was pretty deflating to the Lions. Add in Detroit's lack of playoff success, their QBs record against good teams, etc. and it doesn't take much get the "here we go again" avalanche started.

I'm with BBTV, I don't think games are literally fixed, but you'll never convince me that the officials don't sometimes call games to favor of one team over another.

It's really funny because the NFL is the one league that does not need to do it. People will watch Tennessee vs. Buffalo in the playoffs. In the NBA where certain stars get all of the calls, it makes some sense. But with the NFL, the gains of having Dallas advance (to Green Bay, which draws and audience regardless) seem minimal vs. the risk of alienating fans who perceive preferential treatment.

Maybe it's not about hedging their bets on who advances (as it seems to be in the NBA). Maybe it's about a pattern of "respecting" certain players or teams...particularly those teams with a national following.

The league should have been embarrassed about the Pittsburgh Super Bowls vs. Arizona and Seattle...again, there was no "who will advance?" issue so it was not about that. But for some reason one team (the team with a national following) seemed to be treated special. Then they ended up in the Super Bowl against another national team (Green Bay) and that treatment went away.

Regarding yesterday's flag pick-up...I would have had no problem with a "no-call." But when the flag was picked up, I could not help but think about whether that would have been done for about 28 other teams, or whether that would have been done had the situation (Det/Dal) been reversed and frankly, I have a hard time believing it.

I do wish there was more dialog (and less acceptance) about this in general. Every time something fishy happens in the NBA, sports pundits (Mike & Mike for example) say "there is no way they are fixed; too many people would know and someone would leak it." No crap...but there is no critical thinking. It's not fixed, but that does not make it equitable. Most fans seem to accept that players (and, to a lesser extent, teams) that have earned reputations get the benefit of the doubt. So until there is a large negative response, the NBA should just keep doing what it's doing. But the NFL is under such a microscope that I don't think something like yesterday serves them well. But for the most part (unless an then-unheralded Seattle team gets beneficial replacement ref treatment over Green Bay), fans just say "well they had plenty of opportunities anyway." I wonder if that's what we'd say if the "more important" team was just as likely as the "less important" team to get the call.

There is, of course, another annoying factor; we tend to focus on one call. For example the controversial OSU vs. Miami call in 2003 (correct?)...I am pretty sure a Miami drive was kept alive on a very bad 3rd and 10 call that gave 'em a first down (or maybe it was an OSU drive that was killed on a bad call; it was a long time ago). But we really only look at that "last" call. Looking at all calls, OSU should have had that game wrapped up by then. Similarly, the Seahawks beat the Packers with a terrible end-of-game call. But that game was absolutely destroyed by bad calls. It was an evenly played game with bad calls seemingly screwing both teams...with good officials, Seattle may win that game anyway. But ultimately it was only one call that got the real officials back; the "last" call.

Anyway...if there is a continuum between "fixed" and "totally fair" most sports are closer to "fair" but not all the way there; and in certain games, the needle moves to the middle.

Sorry, carry on.

[BBTV]

Don't get me wrong - when I say that some games are intentionally "weighted" but not fixed, the only reason I'm saying they aren't "fixed" is because they simply can't be - at some point, a team needs to complete passes and still be able to put forth a strong enough effort so that it's not too obvious (I think SBXL was about as close to obvious as we'll ever see, and at least you could argue a little bit against it.)

As for what is the benefit when people will watch anyway - are you sure about that? I went to the orchestra yesterday (cirque de la symphonie - highly recommended if it comes to your area) and only saw the fumble at the end. If a team I had interest in was playing, I certainly would have watched. While I'm only one person, I can't believe that there aren't millions like me. Those ratings have to mean something, right? Even if TV contracts are already in place, I'm sure the networks benefit from increased ad revenues and in other ways.

The NFL is trying to sell you a story. In XL, it was the story of Jerome Bettis coming home to win one before he retires. There's no way you can convince me that short of the Steelers literally not showing up at the stadium that day, the league wasn't going to do everything possible to give them the best chance to win.

Next week we get Dallas at Green Bay. Possible stories - "Ice Bowl Part 2(or whatever)". "Can Tony Romo shed his image of a late-season choker and propel the team that nobody thought could contend to yet another upset?" These teams have such huge national followings, I'm sure Fox would do anything it could to get at least one game that tons of people will be interested in vs two games that nobody outside of the teams involved cares about (sorry, but GB-CAR and SEA-DET simply aren't hot matchups.)

Now... Tony Romo going back to Seattle to avenge his botched hold and lead the underdog Cowboys to an improbable SB berth? That's a story!

[Sport]

Let's not forget the human factor in the Lions - Cowboys game. I have to think that getting screwed on that PI call was pretty deflating to the Lions. Add in Detroit's lack of playoff success, their QBs record against good teams, etc. and it doesn't take much get the "here we go again" avalanche started.

I'm with BBTV, I don't think games are literally fixed, but you'll never convince me that the officials don't sometimes call games to favor of one team over another.

There is, of course, another annoying factor; we tend to focus on one call. For example the controversial OSU vs. Miami call in 2003 (correct?)...I am pretty sure a Miami drive was kept alive on a very bad 3rd and 10 call that gave 'em a first down (or maybe it was an OSU drive that was killed on a bad call; it was a long time ago). But we really only look at that "last" call. Looking at all calls, OSU should have had that game wrapped up by then.

Correct. With under two minutes left in regulation on third down Chris Gamble was obviously held on a pass that resulted in an incompletion to him because he was ruled out of bounds. Replays showed he actually came down inbounds. So there were actually two officiating failures on the same play. If either instance is called correctly then Ohio State has a first down and doesn't punt the ball to Roscoe Parrish that resulted in Miami tying the game with a field goal. Ohio State would've won the game in regulation.

About the call in overtime - what the closeup replay never shows (and was surgically edited out of The U Part 2) is the actual reason he threw the flag. Seconds before the bump that people think is the reason for the penalty he grabs and holds Chris Gamble. That's the reason for the flag. Also, this is entirely anecdotal, but my dad was sitting in that corner of the endzone and swears on his life that the official was furiously trying to get the flag out of his pocket and missed grabbing it a couple times, hence the delay in throwing the penalty marker. My dad is about as objective an OSU fan as there is. His objectivity borders on irritating at times.

The selective memory of Miami fans regarding that game is annoying. The game never should've gotten to overtime and the correct team won the game. End of story.

[Unocal]

Somehow, CAR/SEA actually seems more compelling than DET/SEA.

[OnWis97]

Somehow, CAR/SEA actually seems more compelling than DET/SEA.

Carolina is the hotter team. They could (not saying "will" but "could") give Seattle problems if they can run the ball and Newton can make enough throws. So I tend to agree with you. Had Detroit won, I think GB/SEA would pretty much be a done deal.

[JayMac]

Somehow, CAR/SEA actually seems more compelling than DET/SEA.

Carolina is the hotter team. They could (not saying "will" but "could") give Seattle problems if they can run the ball and Newton can make enough throws. So I tend to agree with you. Had Detroit won, I think GB/SEA would pretty much be a done deal.

I will be the first to tell you if I am wrong, but this is the most confidence I have ever had in the Seahawks in any playoff game in their history. That includes last year. I just cannot see Carolina leaving CenturyLink with a win.

[FiddySicks]

The most telling thing to me about that call yesterday is that the ONLY people really trying to weakly defend it with quips like "Wrll, there were bad calls both way!" Are Cowboys fans. Go figure

I was actually rooting for Dallas before yesterday. Not any more.

[Needschat]

If the call was allowed to stand, there should have been an additional penalty. Dez Byrant came onto the field, removed his helmet, and argued. That's a 15-yard penalty, which should have been assessed despite the picked up flag.

To say that Dallas doesn't receive "NBA star like treatment" is like saying Michael Jordan didn't push off and was never called for it.

[DG_ThenNowForever]

I know the team plays many Sunday nights and they have a national following, but up to this year, what have this crop of Dallas Cowboys even accomplished? They had that weird playoff game against Seattle and then went 8-8 a bunch of times. Why do they get any special treatment at all? The Dez Bryant non-call is especially bad.

[Lee Noire]

The most telling thing to me about that call yesterday is that the ONLY people really trying to weakly defend it with quips like "Wrll, there were bad calls both way!" Are Cowboys fans. Go figure

I was actually rooting for Dallas before yesterday. Not any more.

Then you haven't been paying attention. The Cowboys fans here acknowledged that call multiple times. I'll say it again, there was clearly a minimum of 2 instances where a flag should've been thrown. Not sure why it got picked up, but it did. That's a bad break for Detroit, no question.

What our argument has been is the idea that the picked up flag is the sole reason Dallas won. That's BS. The Lions had their shots and they missed. Period. That call happened with over 8 minutes left in the game, so let's not act like this happened with 20 seconds left on the clock.

[OnWis97]

I know the team plays many Sunday nights and they have a national following, but up to this year, what have this crop of Dallas Cowboys even accomplished? They had that weird playoff game against Seattle and then went 8-8 a bunch of times. Why do they get any special treatment at all? The Dez Bryant non-call is especially bad.

Because they are the Cowboys...they are the one team that, regardless of record, is always on the radar; always matter.

[Dalcowboyfan92]

Dallas versus Green Bay. Dallas returns to their House of Horrors against Green Bay in Lambeau. Only the second ever playoff matchup between the two there.

Dallas cannot afford the same slow start like they had against Detroit, otherwise they will not stand a chance.

[tigerslionspistonshabs]

I hope the Packers absolutely annihilate them.