2025 NFL Thread

[Zelda Zonk]

Just another data point that supports the contention that refs decide the outcome of games much more than most want to admit.

I think we’re aware of how much they impact the game, but we have to accept that a small set of humans has limitations, and their interpretations and perspectives are always going to be flawed.

We deal with that in every game, and somehow the sport survives and thrives. I just wish they could make simple and logical fixes and clarifications to the rules, and those evolutions could simply be reactions to controversies they see during the season. After the SuperBowl, analyze all the common and uncommon ambiguities that have occurred and make evolutionary rules clarifications.

Pass Interference, for me, is the most critical issue. I prefer the old rules, where you couldn’t contact while the ball is in the air. All of this ‘hand fighting is okay’ and you can do what you want unless you ‘turn the torso’ stuff is just ludicrous and rife for bad interpretations.

That reception/interception thing is another matter. If a receiver is down by contact the very instant a defender touches him when he’s on the ground, it seems odd that he could lose possession of a ball while being down and contacted. The issue seems to be that he didn’t possess the ball long enough, but that is only true when the ball is taken away? How long did he have to be on the ground with it to enable a change of possession… while he’s down with contact? Half a second? A second? What the rule?

 

[STEVEHOLT]

This "great" Houston defense is fraudulent

Are they though ? They’ve given up all of 1 TD other than the one on a short field despite their offense continually putting them on the field

 

[ssbriefcase]

so this last play shows just how the nfl is broken.

tex guy is down but bills were not

Guy caught it, made a football move then went down. The 2 aren't the same.

 

[orange79]

I can't believe, with 4 INT's and a lost fumble, Houston is within 5 points. even with 3 Patriots TO's.

 

[STEVEHOLT]

Game set match

 

[orange79]

That catch by Boutte was one of the best I've ever seen. Weather or not.

Stingley couldn't have played it any better. Sometimes you just have to tip your cap and walk away.

 

[phreddie]

Attention Bills fans: You have your own thread. Go dump your buckets of tears over there.

 

[STEVEHOLT]

NE just held and pass interfered on the same play but it’s Ok

 

[orange79]

Attention Bills fans: You have your own thread. Go dump your buckets of tears over there.

Let them have their moment. Tough weekend.

 

[Cusefan0307]

The NFC will steamroll the Pats by at least 3 touchdowns, right?

 

[JustPherU]

I think we’re aware of how much they impact the game, but we have to accept that a small set of humans has limitations, and their interpretations and perspectives are always going to be flawed.

We deal with that in every game, and somehow the sport survives and thrives. I just wish they could make simple and logical fixes and clarifications to the rules, and those evolutions could simply be reactions to controversies they see during the season. After the SuperBowl, analyze all the common and uncommon ambiguities that have occurred and make evolutionary rules clarifications.

Pass Interference, for me, is the most critical issue. I prefer the old rules, where you couldn’t contact while the ball is in the air. All of this ‘hand fighting is okay’ and you can do what you want unless you ‘turn the torso’ stuff is just ludicrous and rife for bad interpretations.

That reception/interception thing is another matter. If a receiver is down by contact the very instant a defender touches him when he’s on the ground, it seems odd that he could lose possession of a ball while being down and contacted. The issue seems to be that he didn’t possess the ball long enough, but that is only true when the ball is taken away? How long did he have to be on the ground with it to enable a change of possession… while he’s down with contact? Half a second? A second? What the rule?

I’ll add that I think the NFL should adopt the college 15 yard penalty rule to pass interference. Throwing it up 50 yards hoping for a penalty is ridiculous.

 

[Cusefan0307]

That last punt by Houston is going to cost them 5 minutes of game clock with 1 TO left.

 

[JeremyCuse]

The NFC will steamroll the Pats by at least 3 touchdowns, right?

Whatever NFC team wins next Sunday better hold nothing but walk thru practices or their gonna be down several starters. Better not let them do anything with their luck.

 

[Toga]

I think we’re aware of how much they impact the game, but we have to accept that a small set of humans has limitations, and their interpretations and perspectives are always going to be flawed.

We deal with that in every game, and somehow the sport survives and thrives. I just wish they could make simple and logical fixes and clarifications to the rules, and those evolutions could simply be reactions to controversies they see during the season. After the SuperBowl, analyze all the common and uncommon ambiguities that have occurred and make evolutionary rules clarifications.

Pass Interference, for me, is the most critical issue. I prefer the old rules, where you couldn’t contact while the ball is in the air. All of this ‘hand fighting is okay’ and you can do what you want unless you ‘turn the torso’ stuff is just ludicrous and rife for bad interpretations.

That reception/interception thing is another matter. If a receiver is down by contact the very instant a defender touches him when he’s on the ground, it seems odd that he could lose possession of a ball while being down and contacted. The issue seems to be that he didn’t possess the ball long enough, but that is only true when the ball is taken away? How long did he have to be on the ground with it to enable a change of possession… while he’s down with contact? Half a second? A second? What the rule?

Here's a thought. Using AI the NFL could design 30 or whatever # of scenarios as to what constitutes a catch - develop a consensus and then train the officials.

 

[Cusefan0307]

The last two punts by Ryan are fireable offenses.

 

[ssbriefcase]

Man, can't believe it's back to Broncos v Pats again already. This will be my 2nd time going to that matchup for the AFC title. Hopefully turns out the same as last time. Early weather report is 50 deg and sunny

 

[JeremyCuse]

Man, can't believe it's back to Broncos v Pats again already. This will be my 2nd time going to that matchup for the AFC title. Hopefully turns out the same as last time. Early weather report is 50 deg and sunny

Id prepare myself for the opposite of yesterday with the officials. NFL will do anything necessary to keep Jarret Stidhiam out as a starting QB in the super bowl

 

[bpo57]

The NFC will steamroll the Pats by at least 3 touchdowns, right?

Up until last night the NFC rep was favored by 2.5. Been hammerin' that for a week. Last night it moved to -3 and now it's -4. Still too low. Should be 6-7 as long as SEA or LAR rep the NFC.

 

[Guinness]

Stroud was awful.

 

[JustPherU]

Stroud was awful.

In back to back weeks

 

[ssbriefcase]

Id prepare myself for the opposite of yesterday with the officials. NFL will do anything necessary to keep Jarret Stidhiam out as a starting QB in the super bowl

I know you guys don't see it this way, but I would've thought for sure they would've done everything to get Josh there. Denver wasn't and isn't in their desire to do anything, that much I'm certain. We'll see what happens next week. I can easily see them loving the Patriots. It's like it's back to their original golden child before KC came along

 

[STEVEHOLT]

Stroud was awful.

The Stroud of Turnover (see what I did there ?)

 

[JeremyCuse]

I know you guys don't see it this way, but I would've thought for sure they would've done everything to get Josh there. Denver wasn't and isn't in their desire to do anything, that much I'm certain. We'll see what happens next week. I can easily see them loving the Patriots. It's like it's back to their original golden child before KC came along

In theory yes but is there any better story then the Bills continuing to agonizingly come up short year after year? I agree that with the Pats they can get that same Chiefs angle even with Mahomes out. Only solice I take in yesterday is that it saves me from watching god knows what shenanigans that were in store for the Bills at Foxboro had they won yesterday.

 

[Cusefan0307]

I know you guys don't see it this way, but I would've thought for sure they would've done everything to get Josh there. Denver wasn't and isn't in their desire to do anything, that much I'm certain. We'll see what happens next week. I can easily see them loving the Patriots. It's like it's back to their original golden child before KC came along

I’ll say if there’s one coach that can gameplan a win with a backup QB in limited time you have him.

 

[Guinness]

Refs off to a great start in the late game. How do you miss a clear blow to the QBs head? Absolute incompetence.