[R.P. McMurphy]

Yeah Nasher psychological impact always a given. Some guys bounce back better than others but especially in a team sport hard to get everyone regrouped and focused. Saw it in my Raiders vs Pats in infamous tuck gm. Not saying we got screwed it WAS a legit rule. A very dumb one that nobody it seemed had ever heard of or seen back then but a rule nonetheless. After taking it to Pats for 58 min, beating them playing their style, in their house, and in their weather they thought the win was sealed after Woodsons big strip. After that call you could just tell they weren't same team rest of way. The shock was set in they were pissed , confused , and felt robbed. Glad they changed that bogus rule to bad it came to late and at my teams expense.

[opie1988]

Yeah Munny this is all business and marketing strategy 101. Funny how guys like us never use the word conspiracy we merely suggest the league rather blatantly tips their hand at times and helps "nudge" or give certain teams a little extra help in crucial situations late in tight games.

Don't think most of us with this disposition are ignorant enough to believe the Girls could not have still won gm without that flag being picked up but it most certainly helped and had a big impact on outcome in a VERY crucial moment. It's everyone else mentioning conspiracy as if some of us who think this is a possibly are dumb enough to think Goodell and a bunch of cronies are all sitting at a boardroom table Friday before playoffs start twisting their moustaches while drawing up their master plan.

Another thing never mentioned is the "shell shock factor". People say hey Lions didn't step up and close out. Well thing is if you get fukked by a bogus flag or missed call early in gm not as big a deal we got time right? Toward end of gm tho and you been in control pretty much whole way then refs kick you in balls with no explanation given. You are pissed, confused, and disoriented to some degree beyond belief. Then reality sets in....oh yeah those guys have a Star on their helmut and I got a fukkin Lion on mine.

Please. Get the fukk out.

I think the Lions were "shell shocked" that they were actually in the lead during the 4th quarter of a playoff game. Again, not like they were playing from behind here. THEY HAD THE FUKKIN LEAD. How hard could it possibly be to stop Tony Romo in the 4th quarter?

What key moment "shell shocked" the Lions during all the other games of Stafford's historic 0-18 run of losing to teams with a winning record?

Delusional Lions fans

[the_situation]

After all that.... Lions had the ball at the end to win.

With the odds stacked against them. The NFL manipulates games and usually gets their way

[the_situation]

Please. Get the fukk out.

I think the Lions were "shell shocked" that they were actually in the lead during the 4th quarter of a playoff game. Again, not like they were playing from behind here. THEY HAD THE FUKKIN LEAD. How hard could it possibly be to stop Tony Romo in the 4th quarter?

What key moment "shell shocked" the Lions during all the other games of Stafford's historic 0-18 run of losing to teams with a winning record?

Delusional Lions fans

"NFL admitted to Lions today that officials missed a hold on Ndamukong Suh on the 4th-down conversion from Tony Romo to Jason Witten with 6 minutes left in the game (after the controversial Brandob Pettigrew play and before the Dallas TD). Had holding been called, it would have put Cowboys in 4th and 16 on Detroit side of the field. Dallas would have punted and Detroit still would have the lead. One person said that this is "even worse than the PI call/no call."

You're the delusional one buddy. Take those tinted goggles off.

[the_situation]

Games are not won and lost off one play or one call. The Lions didn't get the PI call but there were a lot of other plays the Lions can point to as a reason for losing. How about the fact they only scored 3 points in the 2nd half.

Yes, of course they can be won or lost on one play. That's a stupid statement.

[opie1988]

"NFL admitted to Lions today that officials missed a hold on Ndamukong Suh on the 4th-down conversion from Tony Romo to Jason Witten with 6 minutes left in the game (after the controversial Brandob Pettigrew play and before the Dallas TD). Had holding been called, it would have put Cowboys in 4th and 16 on Detroit side of the field. Dallas would have punted and Detroit still would have the lead. One person said that this is "even worse than the PI call/no call."

You're the delusional one buddy. Take those tinted goggles off.

Do you realize that holding could be called on every single play, every single weekend?

Is this really where this argument has deteriorated too now? A missed fukkin holding call?

Here's another way the Lions could've won....score more than 3 fukkin points in the 2nd half.

[R.P. McMurphy]

Opie did you eat a brain tumor for dinner? I'm not a Lions fan and could care less who won this gm. My point has clearly gone over your head and what does Staffords 0-18 record have anything to do with this gm?? Yeah cause Romo's postseason record is sparkling compared to Mattys.

Anyway bout to call it a night and focus in on Minny/Buckeyes gm. To close tho there is a simple solution to all this a VERY simple one like Ol Bill Beli has mentioned. Make EVERY call or play reviewable!!!! League wants no part of that I believe because they lose more leverage and ability to maneuver behind shady calls and sell the explanation later.

They claim it would belittle referees or undermine them by looking at judgement calls and trying to overturn them. Pleeeese if you can pass off a zebras bonehead judgement as "human error" after a gm then why not during one?

[Eddy Munny]

Do you realize that holding could be called on every single play, every single weekend?

Is this really where this argument has deteriorated too now? A missed fukkin holding call?

Here's another way the Lions could've won....score more than 3 fukkin points in the 2nd half.

Fine, but how often does the NFL come out and admit wrongdoing on a holding penalty that wasn't called?

That alone, speaks volumes. And for them to further insinuate that it was even more egregious than the PI flag that was picked up, further illustrates my point.

Stafford's record against good teams is immaterial. The Lions only scoring three second half points is immaterial. Caldwell's decision to punt on 4th and one is immaterial. Nobody is saying the Lions couldn't have put themselves in a better position to win.

But the bottom line is this... despite all the Lions' imperfections, and Stafford's futile history against good teams, they were very much in the game. There is no disputing that, correct? So given that, then yes, the officials very well could have tipped the scales towards the Cowboys to create the 8-0 vs. 8-0 (Dallas road record & G.B. home record) matchup that undoubtedly trumps the alternative of a Carolina @ G.B. rematch, and a lackluster Detroit @ Seattle game.

Basically I think the league is a lot more subtle in it's influence of games than the average "rigger" would have you believe, and happens less frequently than they espouse. It's not some great, big artificial landscape like the WWE. But I also believe, in certain situations, that the league is a bit more calculated and direct in it's influence of games, than the average person, who thinks professional sports are ran by choir boys, would have you believe.

[R.P. McMurphy]

Opie had nothing and it was obvious with that limp wrist hail Mary attempt at taking a poke on Stafford. Guys not even smart enough to think that one thru and know his own teams characteristics. To Matt's credit he played a real good solid gm and whole team did without the famous dumb fukkups they are famous for. Cowboys been a mirror image of Detroit and Cincy for years. Lotta talent but qbs/coaches for most part who usually find a way to screw things up. Yet Opie comes in boasting like Romo has some Brady/Montana type credentials himself.

[ilovelady]

penetrate just saw the last drive for the cowboys. There was holding in all 3rd downs

[opie1988]

R.P. - when some illiterate moron who calls themselves "ilovelady" is giving you points for a post....it may be time to reevaluate your posting career.

Again, sorry all you fellas were dumb enough to think the Lions were actually going to win this game. Be sure to pound them on the road next year.

Certainly he can't go 0-19, right?

[Big Bear]

Cowboys = America's team

99% of construction workers are Cowboys fans. They are the blue collar redneck team.

did anybody see Romo wink at the camera during the beat down of the Colts a few weeks ago?

Romo is like a movie star type... he loves the bright lights and he is the media's darling

[chico2663]

sort of like tuck rule in pats vs oakland. cowboys win it all this yr.

[ilovelady]

R.P. - when some illiterate moron who calls themselves "ilovelady" is giving you points for a post....it may be time to reevaluate your posting career.

Again, sorry all you fellas were dumb enough to think the Lions were actually going to win this game. Be sure to pound them on the road next year.

Certainly he can't go 0-19, right?

some of us have a sense of humor you miserable penetrate

[mcdonae101]

Games are not won and lost off one play or one call. The Lions didn't get the PI call but there were a lot of other plays the Lions can point to as a reason for losing. How about the fact they only scored 3 points in the 2nd half.

lol at saying games r not won or lost on one play. look at rams vs. 49rs game this year when kap "fumbled" going into end zone.

[thezzzone]

hilarious vid// lol

[stevenash]

"NFL admitted to Lions today that officials missed a hold on Ndamukong Suh on the 4th-down conversion from Tony Romo to Jason Witten with 6 minutes left in the game (after the controversial Brandob Pettigrew play and before the Dallas TD). Had holding been called, it would have put Cowboys in 4th and 16 on Detroit side of the field. Dallas would have punted and Detroit still would have the lead. One person said that this is "even worse than the PI call/no call."

You're the delusional one buddy. Take those tinted goggles off.

That Cowboy game had the same blueprint as the Seahawks/Steelers SB.
If those two games were not rigged, those two games sure hold the record for plays that make you say, 'hmmmm'

[pavyracer]

It was rigged. Everyone saw it. NFL allows this to happen because the Lions fans are pussies and won't go down to NY and burn the NFL offices down. This is the only way to change corrupt NFL.

[stevenash]

It was rigged. Everyone saw it. NFL allows this to happen because the Lions fans are pussies and won't go down to NY and burn the NFL offices down. This is the only way to change corrupt NFL.

That's right, Detroit citizens would never resort to violence, or tom foolery, or arson, or shennagans.

Detroit ain't Newark NJ

Those Detroit citizens are good folks.

[BriGuy]

What I am saying is that the Cowboys were a pretty big story throughout the entire 2014 football season, and it was in the best interest of the league for that saga to continue.

The Cowboys are the Cowboys. They are a big story every year no matter what they do.

Like I said, the NFL loves the Cowboys so much that they had them lose to Minnesota, Carolina, Arizona, Minnesota, Carolina and Seattle.

[Eddy Munny]

The Cowboys are the Cowboys. They are a big story every year no matter what they do.

Like I said, the NFL loves the Cowboys so much that they had them lose to Minnesota, Carolina, Arizona, Minnesota, Carolina and Seattle.

There are a host of factors that determine why and when the NFL might provide "assistance" for a team to move past another. I've already touched this to a degree, but you'd rather not be bothered by anyone's view that runs counter to yours.

You're now just oversimplifying a supposition I've put forth pertaining to a particular game, and trying to paint a scene with one great, big, broad brush. It doesn't work that way. No one ever said that as long as the Cowboys punch their ticket into the playoffs, that the league would handle the rest. If it's more comfortable for you to have your head in the sand, then by all means, keep it buried.

When you have even mainstream sports media discussing a possible fix, then you know there's more to it than just a bunch of SBRers with crackpot theories. ESPN normally won't touch said topic with a hundred foot pole, and yet, it's been thrown out there on every roundtable show of theirs. The NFL doesn't care because they basically have carte blanche on their operations and all will be forgotten as soon as this weekend's card kicks off.

But yeah, you're right..... since the Cowboys haven't won the Super Bowl every year of the franchise's existence, then I guess that means nothing is afoul.

[MoneyLineDawg]

Wouldn't have cut it that close if it was fixed or whatever....Dallas doesn't convert that 4th and 6 they lose as well

Why would they even throw the flag and announce the penalty to begin with?

Really cannot believe how much press and attention this shit has gotten.....The play wasn't even do or die, Lions could have went for the damn 1st down the very next play on 4th and inches....Even so they could have stopped Dallas and then had a chance themselves to win the game at the end

Detroit and Caldwell failed themselves more than some non-call on 3rd and one did and it's not really close

[TwoWays]

you guys still harping on the refs after all this time. give it a rest. move on. the head of officiating apologized already.

[Eddy Munny]

Wouldn't have cut it that close if it was fixed or whatever....Dallas doesn't convert that 4th and 6 they lose as well

Why would they even throw the flag and announce the penalty to begin with?

Really cannot believe how much press and attention this shit has gotten.....The play wasn't even do or die, Lions could have went for the damn 1st down the very next play on 4th and inches....Even so they could have stopped Dallas and then had a chance themselves to win the game at the end

Detroit and Caldwell failed themselves more than some non-call on 3rd and one did and it's not really close

That's the play Suh got mugged and the officials swallowed their whistle.

Then the Lions defense get flagged a couple times on the same drive, including a 3rd down incompletion.

[Eddy Munny]

you guys still harping on the refs after all this time. give it a rest. move on. the head of officiating apologized already.

Well, what exactly did you expect us to be harping about when you clicked on this thread?

You figured by page 5, we'd all just be swapping lasagna recipes?

[face]

they just apologize and say yes we missed that one
they will exploit the human error angle and allow themselves one emergency call if a lot of tv money is at stake
yes we made a mistake, we apologize. result however will stand

[MoneyLineDawg]

That's the play Suh got mugged and the officials swallowed their whistle.

Then the Lions defense get flagged a couple times on the same drive, including a 3rd down incompletion.

All of those penalties were pretty clear and Suh got mugged as Romo was throwing the ball....So many missed holding calls on both sides if you wanna analyze every single play

If it was rigged there would have been no call or flag on that 3rd down PI from the start...why would the NFL draw up the script like this?

What does the NFL do if Stafford sneaks on 4th and 1 for the first down?

Lions sucked more balls and choked the game away......Refs were poor but thats nothing new in the NFL

Home teams get the benefit of the doubt more often than not, just nature of the game

[Eddy Munny]

There is no "script." The officials have to appear scrupulous, for the most part, and the teams are allowed to play, for the most part. The is no guarantee that the Cowboys are going to win as a part of some script that supersedes everything that transpires on the field... but the league does have a rooting interest. This isn't the case in every game, but it does manifest in some games. When the game was tight, late in the fourth quarter, the officials did the league's bidding by helping the Cowboys close the game out. Sure, the Lions had their chances, but that doesn't absolve the officials, or the league, of biased officiating.

[TheMoneyShot]

It was rigged. Everyone saw it. NFL allows this to happen because the Lions fans are pussies and won't go down to NY and burn the NFL offices down. This is the only way to change corrupt NFL.

This post reminded me of something. Not sure a lot of posters remember when the Red Wings took on the Devils in 1995 for the Stanley Cup? During that series... Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch actually went down to the ice level when the referee was exiting the ice during the intermission.... He was going crazy on one official. Absolutely nuts! When do you ever hear of an owner of a hockey team do that? Every single call was going against the Red Wings. Where the hell is Bill Ford JR for the Lions? Why didn't he come down and set an official straight??? Where's the passion to win??? Maybe Bill Ford gets it??? Maybe he's like... this league is fixed as fukk.... I'm not wasting my time ruining my reputation. Again, the league is ALL BUSINESS. FORD GETS IT.

Wouldn't have cut it that close if it was fixed or whatever....Dallas doesn't convert that 4th and 6 they lose as well

Why would they even throw the flag and announce the penalty to begin with?

Really cannot believe how much press and attention this shit has gotten.....The play wasn't even do or die, Lions could have went for the damn 1st down the very next play on 4th and inches....Even so they could have stopped Dallas and then had a chance themselves to win the game at the end

Detroit and Caldwell failed themselves more than some non-call on 3rd and one did and it's not really close

MLD - Right when the 4th qtr started you felt things tilting for the Lions. Caldwell called a typical caldwell game... Stafford played well. It's hard enough when you have to face a Dallas Cowboys team... and the officials. About that 3rd down PI... it was rigged.... one official knew what to do... because the other official didn't. Just like in the NBA on a charge or a block... always some dumb a$$ ref overruling another ref.... and we know why.

And you're saying well the Lions had a chance to win it in the end??? Who's to say we wouldn't of seen a offensive hold, offensive PI on a deep completed pass? The refs would of made sure Detroit was backed up. What people aren't seeing.... the officials had an opportunity to balance the lopsided penalties out... but they chose not to! You can always balance anything out! Not one call went Detroit's way in the 4th qtr. Yes, it was a script. Yes, Detroit was tired. Yes, momentum shifted Dallas's way... it gives you that EXTRA BURST when calls go your way... and Dallas said thank you.

[BriGuy]

All of those penalties were pretty clear and Suh got mugged as Romo was throwing the ball....So many missed holding calls on both sides if you wanna analyze every single play

If it was rigged there would have been no call or flag on that 3rd down PI from the start...why would the NFL draw up the script like this?

Exactly. If it was rigged, it would have never gotten to the point where a controversial, close call in the 4th quarter had a major impact on the game.

I find it hilarious how when crazy things happen at the end of the 4th quarter, people point to that as evidence as the league rigging the game. If they were ever going to rig a game, it would be over at halftime.

[Dr.Gonzo]

There's a difference between an outright rigged game and a side being favored by the officials, giving them the benefit of the doubt on the close calls.

[TwoWays]

get over it, especially you non pros. i had detroit +6.5 and you don't see me still complaining. refs collectively through a spokesman said sorry. so what left is there? the world is right again. move on.

[Eddy Munny]

get over it, especially you non pros. i had detroit +6.5 and you don't see me still complaining. refs collectively through a spokesman said sorry. so what left is there? the world is right again. move on.

I think you're the one having trouble getting over it... getting over the fact that people are discussing a poorly officiated NFL game in an NFL forum, under an appropriately titled thread. Again, what were you expecting? And who ordained you the authority on when a topic has reached it's conclusion? If people want to continue, they can... get over it.

Let me guess, you're the idiot that goes to see a Quentin Tarantino film and then bitches about the foul language. You have options, exercise them... don't click on a topic that doesn't interest you.

[MoneyLineDawg]

Look I get Lions fans being pissed but the whole conspiracy thing is garbage

We have seen teams like New England and Indy and Pittsburgh get the calls to go their way in big spots....Is it really a huge surprise when it happens with Dallas at home against Detroit?

It was a bad call but it's how it goes in all sports...nothing crazy here

[BriGuy]

There's a difference between an outright rigged game and a side being favored by the officials, giving them the benefit of the doubt on the close calls.

I don't think anyone is arguing against certain teams and players getting the benefit of the doubt. Home teams get benefit of the doubt. Superstars get benefit of the doubt. Dirty players often times won't get any benefit of the doubt. And teams with winning histories will get the benefit of the doubt over teams with losing histories. There are any number of factors that could be going through a referee's subconscious.

My problem is with the people saying the game (i.e. the league) is rigged. There are plenty of people in here making that claim.