It wasn't Bill Leavy this time, and it wasn't the Super Bowl. But once again, the Steelers benefited from some over zealous officiating in a playoff win.
I believe ESPN columnist Gregg Easterbrook says it best:
"A ticky-tacky holding penalty wiped out a 55-yard punt return touchdown for Baltimore in the fourth quarter; the Ravens settled for a field goal. A ticky-tacky, and quite rare, holding penalty against a Baltimore defensive lineman converted a Steelers' third-and-goal at the 3 into a first-and-goal at the 1 in the final moments. Both calls were the sort that could be made against any team on any snap of any game, and both went against the visitor in the fourth quarter of a postseason contest. On the defensive holding at the goal line, to me it seemed the Steelers, not the Ravens, were the ones holding. The punt call cost the Ravens four points and the goal-line call all but awarded the Steelers four points -- had it gone against Pittsburgh, a field goal was the likely result of the possession. That's eight fourth-quarter points for the home team in a game it won by seven points."
I've said it countless times, let the players decide the outcome. Officials shouldn't be throwing flags on marginal calls that could go either way, that could be called on most plays, and that directly impact the outcome of a game.
And they sure as hell shouldn't be making such calls in the 4th quarter of a close playoff game.
4 comments:
No doubt the NFL officials sucks, but with no real alternative, its seems its doesn't matter.
The officials definitely affected the outcome of the Steelers-Ravens game. It was a great acting job that caused the flag to be thrown that negated a touchdown. Again, it does'nt matter what teams are playing, officiating is in dire need of updating. The game is getting faster and faster and the technology and the mechanics of the game are changing, but the officiating has done little to keep up with the changes of the game. As such, teams have learned work the system when it comes to questionable calls causing teams to challenge calls they may not normally challenge, creating a disruptions. Fluidity of the game is one of the biggest reasons NFL officiating has not changed, but at what point does disruption win over incompetence? True we have no alternative, but hopefully this blog will help bring to light that we need and alternative.
Did you see the calls the steelers got in the super bowl? There was the crucial third down play where the packer receiver caught the ball, took a step, then fumbled and the Packers recovered. Even after review the officials blew the call and the Steelers got the ball back.
Then there was the phantom facemask penalty against the Packers.
Thankfully, the officiating wasn't as sickeningly one-sided as SB XL, as there was a penalty called against the Steelers on the final kickoff.
Seriously, though, why do the officials help the Steelers so much? They are a good team, let them win or lose on their own!!
I also noted the phantom face mask call and also thought that "incomplete pass" was a completion...looked like the receiver took 3 steps.
I'm shocked the officials weren't more in the tank for the Steelers. Perhaps all the heat from XL has them more wary of getting involved...at least I hope!
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