Football fans are teeing off on the NFL refs for a horrible game-changing call in the Detroit Lions-Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon.
Late in the second quarter of the Lions-Cardinals games, Detroit quarterback Jared Goff seemingly threw a game-changing pick-six after he was getting hit. However, the NFL refs blew the play dead and determined that the two-minute warning stoppage had hit before the play:
So instead of a pick-six that could have put Arizona up (an extra point pending), the Lions got another chance to convert. Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 14 yards on 3rd-and-12, setting up an eventual TD for the second-year running back.
Arizona could have potentially taken a one-point lead into halftime, but the Lions were instead gifted seven points thanks to the awful call by the NFL refs. Matt Prater kicked a late field goal for the Cardinals, making it 20-10 going into the half.
NFL wasted no time ripping the officials, with some even accusing them of “rigging” it in Detroit’s favor:
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This wasn’t the only awful call by the NFL refs during Sunday’s games. Los Angeles Chargers star Khalil Mack was called for roughing the passer on Justin Fields in the team’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers:
There have been plenty of calls for the NFL to make all of its officials full-time employees, as the majority of them have busy careers outside of football.
More Mistakes By NFL Refs, No Solutions In Sight
It’s unfair assign all of the blame to the NFL officials whenever they make a mistake, no matter how severe it is. They are humans, not perfectly-programmed robots, and the refs can do their jobs lightyears better than most of us.
But the NFL can go greater lengths to improve its officiating system. Full-time officials would work, but so would an expanded replay system or the implementation of a sky judge.
