Patrick76777
12-29-2004, 03:33 PM
Listen, I’m not one of those old curmudgeons who believe every conspiracy theory out there. And I don’t think that there is some guy in a dark coat that exerts his control over everything. But part of me believes that the NFL is indeed fixed.
Now don’t jump all over me here. Please let me explain. I’ll do my best.
I emphatically do not think the league controls all aspects of the game or that they determine the results before the game even starts.
I also do not whatsoever believe that gambling plays a role in how the NFL fixes games. That’s not to say that players at some point may or may not have done something along those lines. I just DO NOT believe that the NFL would ever get involved in something like that. The hardcore gamblers who just lost their rent checks will probably disagree with this one.
I guess I can’t even go so far as to actually use the word “Fix” to accurately describe my theory. Because like I stated above, I do not believe the league goes so far as to pre-determine the outcome of games. My theory is that the NFL may at times tilt the scales one-way in order to favor their desired outcome
Let me get to my point. The NFL is a league that loves stories. Thrives on stories. Every year there’s some big story that gets us all excited about the games. So is it possible that when the NFL sees a story on the horizon that they would do anything in their power to perpetuate said story? It could be done fairly easily. Simply by instructing the refs to flag the other team a few more times. Give any and all close calls to the team (Bledsoes almost fumble in both the Miami and San Fran games). Maybe be a little more lenient on holding and Pass interference. Nothing blatantly obvious mind you. Just small things that may keep drives alive or even kill drives for the other team. Like a holding penalty that negates a big run.
It just seems to me that the Bills can’t make a mistake anymore. Early in the season when every flag was against us and every call was in favor of the other team it seemed like this team would never get it right. Now all of a sudden, we can do no wrong. Same with the Panthers in the NFC!
What about earlier in the season when New England had the chance to set the NFL records for wins at home against Miami. They only needed to get past Buffalo to do so. The Bills played a great game that day and gave New England all they could handle. But it seemed like each time the Bills got something going something would blow up in their face. An example in that game was Rashad Baker’s offsides penalty on a 4th quarter New England field goal attempt. Had Baker not jumped offsides, the Patriots would have taken a 20-17 lead on the play and on 4th down with 3 minutes left, the Bills would have tried a 34 yard chip shot field goal to tie the game up. Instead, Baker goes offsides, the drive continues, the Patriots get the TD and go up by 7 and on 4th and 3 at New England’s 17 were forced to go for it and Bledsoe tries a QB Bootleg and fumbles the ball which is returned 83 yards for the touchdown.
Convenient. I read later that Baker claims he lined up where he always lines up. He didn’t believe he was offsides.
And it wasn’t difficult for the ref to pull off. The play can’t be challenged. It seems harmless enough. But it keeps the drive alive and gives New England another chance.
So, is it possible that the NFL saw these two teams string a couple of wins together and now since both are such big stories is helping both teams along?
Would the NFL rather have Denver and NY limp into the playoffs and leave the team who has the attention of the nation at home? A few well-timed penalties on Denver and NY next Sunday could really help the chances surging Bills and create a huge playoff story. The NFL could easily get it done and I think they will!
NOTE: I don’t know if I even necessarily believe this. But is seems like it could be pulled off easily enough. And the only ones that would need to know would be the Refs and the Top level NFL execs. So who knows.
Now don’t jump all over me here. Please let me explain. I’ll do my best.
I emphatically do not think the league controls all aspects of the game or that they determine the results before the game even starts.
I also do not whatsoever believe that gambling plays a role in how the NFL fixes games. That’s not to say that players at some point may or may not have done something along those lines. I just DO NOT believe that the NFL would ever get involved in something like that. The hardcore gamblers who just lost their rent checks will probably disagree with this one.
I guess I can’t even go so far as to actually use the word “Fix” to accurately describe my theory. Because like I stated above, I do not believe the league goes so far as to pre-determine the outcome of games. My theory is that the NFL may at times tilt the scales one-way in order to favor their desired outcome
Let me get to my point. The NFL is a league that loves stories. Thrives on stories. Every year there’s some big story that gets us all excited about the games. So is it possible that when the NFL sees a story on the horizon that they would do anything in their power to perpetuate said story? It could be done fairly easily. Simply by instructing the refs to flag the other team a few more times. Give any and all close calls to the team (Bledsoes almost fumble in both the Miami and San Fran games). Maybe be a little more lenient on holding and Pass interference. Nothing blatantly obvious mind you. Just small things that may keep drives alive or even kill drives for the other team. Like a holding penalty that negates a big run.
It just seems to me that the Bills can’t make a mistake anymore. Early in the season when every flag was against us and every call was in favor of the other team it seemed like this team would never get it right. Now all of a sudden, we can do no wrong. Same with the Panthers in the NFC!
What about earlier in the season when New England had the chance to set the NFL records for wins at home against Miami. They only needed to get past Buffalo to do so. The Bills played a great game that day and gave New England all they could handle. But it seemed like each time the Bills got something going something would blow up in their face. An example in that game was Rashad Baker’s offsides penalty on a 4th quarter New England field goal attempt. Had Baker not jumped offsides, the Patriots would have taken a 20-17 lead on the play and on 4th down with 3 minutes left, the Bills would have tried a 34 yard chip shot field goal to tie the game up. Instead, Baker goes offsides, the drive continues, the Patriots get the TD and go up by 7 and on 4th and 3 at New England’s 17 were forced to go for it and Bledsoe tries a QB Bootleg and fumbles the ball which is returned 83 yards for the touchdown.
Convenient. I read later that Baker claims he lined up where he always lines up. He didn’t believe he was offsides.
And it wasn’t difficult for the ref to pull off. The play can’t be challenged. It seems harmless enough. But it keeps the drive alive and gives New England another chance.
So, is it possible that the NFL saw these two teams string a couple of wins together and now since both are such big stories is helping both teams along?
Would the NFL rather have Denver and NY limp into the playoffs and leave the team who has the attention of the nation at home? A few well-timed penalties on Denver and NY next Sunday could really help the chances surging Bills and create a huge playoff story. The NFL could easily get it done and I think they will!
NOTE: I don’t know if I even necessarily believe this. But is seems like it could be pulled off easily enough. And the only ones that would need to know would be the Refs and the Top level NFL execs. So who knows.