Bad Officiating Can Change NFL Game Outcomes
During the 1st round playoff game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco was leading 23-17, but the Cowboys managed to get the ball back with 32 seconds left. Cowboys QB Dak Prescott proceeded to march his offense to the 49ers’ 41-yard line with 14 seconds to go. Dallas ran a QB draw play, where Prescott scampered to the 24-yard line and slid with nine seconds remaining.
The offense lined up to spike the ball, but umpire Ramon George had to spot it and maneuver around the Cowboys’ offensive line. This ate up almost all of the clock, and when center Tyler Biadasz touched the football, there was only one second left and not enough time to execute the play.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy blamed the officials for costing Dallas the game, even though it was a risky proposition at best to run that play given the time remaining.
Fans love nothing more than to blame the refs when their team loses, especially in the playoffs. However, there’s no denying that bad calls can swing a game. The same weekend as the Cowboys-49ers matchup, the Las Vegas Raiders played against the Cincinnati Bengals. Just before halftime, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Tyler Boyd. Boyd caught the ball after viewers and fans heard the refs blow the whistle.
Burrow’s release came very close to the sideline, but was never in any danger of actually stepping out. After huddling up, the refs ruled it a touchdown, handing Cincinnati a 20-6 lead. Vegas went on to lose the game and was eliminated from the playoffs. The NFL defended the decision, but only hours later barred game ref Jerome Boger from any more assignments this postseason.
On Jan. 4, 2020, the Buffalo Bills were playing the Houston Texans in an AFC Wild Card game. The game went to overtime, and on 3rd and 9, the refs penalized Bills right tackle Cody Ford for an illegal blindside block. If the officials hadn’t penalized Ford, Buffalo could have made a 56-yard field goal attempt. Instead, the Bills had to punt, and the Texans won the game on the next possession. 15 months later, NFL Senior VP of Officiating and Training Walt Anderson admitted Ford wasn’t blindside blocking and should not have been flagged.
During the 2018 NFC Championship Game between the New Orleans Saints and L.A. Rams, the Saints were 3rd and 10 at the Rams’ 13-yard line. Saints QB Drew Brees threw a pass to WR Tommylee Lewis, but Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman ran over and shoved Lewis out of the ball’s path. The Rams won and went to the Super Bowl. New Orleans Coach Sean Payton protested the no pass interference decision, and after a public outcry, the NFL agreed to automatically review future P.I. calls.
It’s no secret that NFL officials can determine game outcomes, especially in the playoffs. So when it comes to a multi-billion dollar industry like the NFL, why aren’t officials full time employees, subject to review, training, and media availability? With so much on the line, league referees need to ensure they’re there to keep the game fair, not decide who wins.
-Jeff Dahlberg
Twitter: @JeffDahlberg3