The NFL's Waterloo

So, who's ready for some football? How about some well officiated football? Well, if you answered the latter question, I guess you're out of luck.

It hasn't been a great three weeks of games in terms of officiating, but Monday night's debacle was certainly a new low, one that could effect the playoff scenario in December and January. While that might sound a bit extreme given the number of weeks left in the season, stranger things have happened.

The first week went OK, but by the second week calls were really being questioned. That led to some antics on the sidelines — which included John Fox and Jack Del Rio earning fines for berating officials during a Monday night game in Atlanta. All that, however, was a prelude to week three.

During the day I watched a number of games and was appalled by some of the calls. One of the worst areas is the rules governing pass interference, which can never seem to be judged correctly. On many plays rampant contact is allowed to go unchecked. Then, in crucial moments after a progressively aggressive game, the officials clamp down. It makes no sense and radically impacts games.

Perhaps the nadir of the whole experience, to this point, was the two prime time games to wrap up the week. New England-Baltimore is a game that has serious playoff implications. It was also a game that, in part, saw its outcome effected by judgement calls. First, to keep a key drive alive, the Ravens benefitted from what seemed to be a phantom pass interference call. What makes that even more ironic is that a questionable pass interference call caused the team to fall short in Philadelphia the week before.

Then, to close the game, there were several dubious calls. Not to mention, it's hard to say with any certainty that the field goal that handed Baltimore the win actually was good. Most angles available suggest it was over the upright at best. The fact it wasn't reviewed seems nearly criminal.

That only set the stage for Monday night. The referees literally decided the end of the game by awarding a simultaneous possession touchdown to Seahawks' receiver Golden Tate. While the simultaneous possession rule does exist, and it clearly favors the offense, it's hard to see how the officials got there Monday night.

First, Tate clearly committed offensive pass interference — something even the league itself admitted on Tuesday. Second, clearly Jennings goes up and possesses the ball coming to the turf, which should be an interception and the end of the game. A hand fight ensued on the field and the officials split their decision. One signaled touchdown, the other signaled interception. The touchdown call was accepted and since the play was murky, by the standards of video review, the officials were forced to go with the call on the field.

Now it's week three, so the logical question might be does this matter? Yes, it very well might. Both the Seahawks and Packers play in stacked NFC divisions. If they end up tied by record fighting for a Wild Card playoff spot, that judgement call in week three will decide which team goes to the postseason.

Worse yet, it doesn't seem like a deal is coming, so we may see more of these adverse effects as the season continues. And that's a shame for the players, coaches, teams and, most of all, for the fans.