If the NFL wanted good refereeing, it would have it

The officiating crew in the NFL’s Sunday Night game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers left fans and viewers questioning the integrity of the league. In the final drive of the game, there were multiple instances of questionable calls and missed calls that had a significant impact on the outcome.

One of the most glaring examples was a penalty called on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. While it’s understandable that the league wants to protect quarterbacks, it seemed like the refs were eager to call a penalty even when it wasn’t warranted. Mahomes took a hit while heading out of bounds, which should have been a non-issue. However, the refs threw a flag, seemingly because they were following the league’s directive to protect quarterbacks at all costs.

Another questionable call came on a pass to Packers receiver Marques Valdes-Scantling. He was clearly going backwards when going out of bounds, which should have meant that the clock continued to run. However, the refs ruled it as a completion and stopped the clock, giving the Packers more time to mount a comeback.

These instances of poor officiating raise the question of whether or not the NFL is scripted. The Chiefs-Packers game seemed to suggest that there is some sort of agenda at play. The NFL has a history of quickly addressing perceived problems, such as eliminating celebrations it didn’t like. So, it’s not far-fetched to think that the league may manipulate games to create controversy and generate buzz.

The issue goes beyond just this one game. NFL referees are not full-time employees and often have other jobs during the week. This leaves little time for them to review their performances and stay up to date with the evolving speed and complexity of the game. As players continue to get bigger and faster, it’s crucial that referees are able to keep up and make accurate calls.

While some may argue that more technology and video reviews would solve the problem, the real issue lies with the referees themselves. They need to have the confidence to make the right calls at the right time, even if it means the game pivots on it. It’s not about the tools they have, but rather their ability to use them effectively.

In the end, it’s unclear whether the NFL truly cares about the quality of officiating or if they thrive on the debate and controversy that ensues. The league has shown a willingness to make changes when necessary, but the lack of full-time referees and the questionable calls in important games raise concerns about the league’s priorities.

As fans, we can only hope that the NFL takes a closer look at its officiating and makes the necessary changes to ensure a fair and unbiased game. Until then, we may find ourselves questioning the integrity of the sport we love.