Over the past couple of years, I have seen multiple questionable moments in the NFL that left me wondering whether the entire system is set up. I'm not saying that I think the league is rigged, but the thought has definitely crossed my mind.
The Haurbaugh Bowl
Super Bowl 47, the first time in NFL history two head coaches in the Super Bowl were brothers, twin brothers to be exact. That's just one of the wild factors that make me think this matchup was rigged. Additionally, Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis announced he was going to retire that season. With Baltimore being the 4th seed in the playoff the odds of them winning out all the way to the Super Bowl, and winning the Super Bowl, was very slim, yet they somehow managed to do it. This was the matchup everyone wanted, but the actual odds of it occurring was so unlikely it's bizarre how it played out.
The 25 Point Come Back
Super Bowl 51 pinned the Atlanta Falcons against the New England Patriots and resulted in one of the greatest comebacks in super bowl history. The Falcons were up 28-3 halfway through the 3rd quarter, no one could imagine the tear Tom Brady was about to go on. He managed to force the game into overtime and lead the game-winning drive while throwing for 466 yards the entire time. That gave Brady his 5th ring and for most cemented him as the greatest player, the NFL has ever seen. It seems to perfect to be true, and that's why I don't think it is. One of the leagues greatest players performing an unreal accomplishment would result in the great buzz surrounding the league.
Super Bowl XLII
The 18-0 Patriots were about to cap off an undefeated season. They were heavily favorited against the Giants and no one expected one of the greatest offenses in the NFL to slow down under the bright lights. Surprisingly though, the Giants managed to hold the Patriots to only 14 points and pull off a miraculous upset.
Super Bowl XL
This ones simple, bad refs. Refs can be the ultimate tool the NFL uses to sway games. The refs after the game admitted themselves that they missed multiple calls that altered the outcome of the game. Yep, you read that right, the refs ultimately decided the outcome of this game by missing calls that led to the Steelers winning the game.
NFC Championship Game, 2019
I personally have never believed that a football game can come down to one pay, but this is close. With only 2 minutes left in the game Saints receiver, Tommy Lee Lewis was hit on an obvious pass interference call, but no flag was thrown. This resulted in a Saints field goal and allowed the Rams to take the game into over time. If the refs make the call there the saints run out the clock and kick a short field goal to send themselves to the Super Bowl. However, they didn't, two refs only a few feet from the play did not throw their flags, but why would they? Not throwing the flag allowed for the Rams to have a chance to keep this game alive. Throwing the flag would wrap the game up there, which would not be as exciting and enticing of a game to watch.
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