I didn’t see the game, but winning by that large of a margin can hardly be blamed on the referees.
Maybe not.
But it was an obvious attempt to maximize the Pats’ chances.
Classic fix - make the dubious call at a critical juncture in the first half, so you can’t be accused on overt cheating.
Do you realize in was 4th and 4, and the refs called illegal motion on the field? Then, after a video review (I had no idea this was reviewible - never seen it before!) the CHANGED THE CALL to encroachment. Who ever heard of that?
Whereupon, the Pats drive the length of the field to effectively put the game away in the first half. Created a turnover out of thin air - the video did not indicate encroachment.
Full disclosure - I hate the F-ing Patriots.
Well said. Some of the people in their fandom look for things not there. No two calls can change a game. If the titans can score every time they get the ball, and their defense stops the Patriots every time, it’s a route.
I watched the pass interference call a few times in full motion, and Decker slapped the defender more than 10 yards downfield with his left arm as he made his cut. I don’t know if it made the helmet but it did hit the shoulder and pads. Can’t do that. Caught.
The encrochment penalty is defined in the rule book as an infraction in which a football player, on defense, gets into or crosses the neutral zone before the snap, causing an offensive player to false start. I agree with the bad cal on the encroachment. But it may be for the wrong reason. I don’t think the line had gone set as the center was still moving possible calling out blocking schemes. So if there was no contact, and the ball had not been snapped, no call.
But that missed call didn’t make the game dishonest. And I defy anyone to go out there and make every call perfect. I called as high as NCAA, umpire. and it isn’t as easy as it looks. It’s that way because the officials make it look that way.
rwood