Officials screw up almost costs Steelers

The Steeler's dodged a bullet at the end of regulation when Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff missed a 56-yard field goal try, but the kick likely never would have been attempted had the officials not screwed up and incorrectly spotted the ball...

NFL avoids major controversy in Ravens-Steelers game

Pereira admits mistake

Credit where credit is due, Mike Pereira, the NFL's Vice President of Officiating, acknowledges a mistake by officials in last weeks Cowboys-Eagles matchup.

It's rare for the league to publicly admit to an officiating mistake as Pereira usually prefers to sticky by his crews regardless of any visual evidence to the contrary. I'd like to believe this is the start of a new trend of an honest review of officiating, but more likely just a random break from the usual spin.

NFL VP of Officials Admits Call was Wrong in Cowboys Game

And the inconsistencies continue...

I have no problem with the league banning players promoting products on the field, as is the case following Brent Celek's "Captain Morgan" celebration, but the asinine, arbitrary excessive demonstration penalties are a joke. It's 15 yard for striking a pose, but sack dances, hog ties, Lambeau leaps, etc. are all OK?

Is there a list of acceptable celebrations or is it just the mood of the moment for NFL officials?

League shipwrecks Captain Morgan campaign

Replay Confusion

Trailing 24-16 with two minutes to play, the Raiders lined up for a 1st and 10 inside Charger territory. Raider QB JaMarcus Russell, under pressure from linebacker Shaun Phillips, fumbled the ball as his arm moved forward. Oakland recovered the fumble for a 13 yard loss, setting up a 2nd and 23. Hurried, Oakland was whistled for a false start as Russell tried to get the ensuing play off, thus creating a 2nd and 28 situation.

Then the officials got involved.

Officials called for a booth review to confirm Russell's fumble. After review, officials confirmed the ruling on the field, then spotted the Raiders with a 2nd and 28. Only one problem. According to NFL rules, a play cannot be reviewed once another play is run. As such, the league cannot replay Russell's fumble because Oakland ran another play and was called for a false start. In this case, because the officials DID review the fumble, the false start never should have counted because the play was never officially run. After the review, officials should have spotted the Raiders with a 2nd and 23, not 2nd and 28.

None the less, the officials had it both ways. They reviewed a play after a subsequent play was run, yet kept the results of the subsequent play that never should have counted. Also note, an additional two seconds were run off on the false start play, yet the two seconds were never put back on the clock. Best of all, if you check the official NFL Gamebook, there is no mention of Russell's fumble being reviewed, though it clearly was.

In the big scheme of things, it means little. Were the Raiders going to overcome a 2nd and 23 as opposed to 2nd and 28? Were two seconds going to make a difference? No way. But shouldn't the officials know the rules? And shouldn't the official gamebook accurately reflect what happened on the field?

Close enough on that measurement

Seems like some things in the NFL should be simple and straightforward, like a measurement. Unfortunately, when NFL Officials are involved, that's not the case. When a measurement comes up a full inch short and officials still signal first down, you have to ask what is really going on here. Bet you ass though, the NFL is standing by its officials. Follow the links for details and a video. Just remember, don't trust your eyes, trust the officials...

Browns-Steelers: Refs Bad Call on Fourth Down October 18

THE OFFICIATING CAN'T GET MUCH WORSE IN THE NFL

Thanks for the link Dutch!