It would help greatly if the announcers would start criticizing the refs, as is done in the MLB. Lots of times, I hear the announcers question the umpires bad calls, but you hardly - if ever - hear the announcers in NFL games question the refs call. The NFL announcers are a bunch of cowardly yes-men.
I’m pointing out the truth. Often times the ref isn’t looking at the players involved. There’s 22 players on the field and 8 refs. This is especially true for post whistle problem, when the refs no longer have zones of responsibility. Some player starts some crap, which a ref catches out of the corner of their eye, the refs turns their head and sees the retaliation.
Funny that you hold up the MLB, where officiating is so awful that coming out on the field to argue with the refs is a tradition of the sport. Meanwhile NFL refs get criticized by the announcers all the time. You just don’t pay attention.
Interesting take. I am always amazed at how observant the announcers are, often calling things as soon as the flag goes down, usually before the refs call the call. I would get a headache trying to learn the endless rules, old and new. And the networks have walking, talking encyclopedia type observers who review the calls and voice their professional judgement. By and large, really good work, IMHO.