***Divisional Round Game Thread*** Baltimore at Pittsburgh (1 Viewer)

[Mustang Man]

OK 1000 post and the game has been over for over two days. I mean come on it was not even a well played game. Both teams played careless football.

 

[Chaz McNulty]

I'm about as neutral as you can get in that game...

Over the years, I've become cynical to officiating. Fixed NBA games... head scratching college and pro football calls. Receivers doing that stupid "throw the flag" gesture and sometimes selling it to the referee. I actually saw a guy do that in one of the bowl games and on replay, it was shown there was no contact (none at all). You know, we've almost become conditioned to certain things. After that punt return, I KNEW it was coming back. I didn't see anything... just knew it.

Was THAT holding? I don't think so... I understand he grasped the jersey and by strict definition that is a hold - but that isn't the way the call is usually made. If it were, you would have holding on every play. The receiver was in good position; squared up with the defender and, once engaged, ran over him. My first - and honest - reaction on the replay was FIFA worthy "flop". And then defensive holding on a running play in the key series of the game? What?

I'm not saying the Steelers wouldn't have won the game. and I don't think the Ravens deserved a thing. They were inept in many facets of the game. Arguably inept in all facets in the second half. But I do hate trying to watch a game for the sheer enjoyment and having flags fly on key plays for marginal (at best) infractions. There is a point where you have to let them play.

The part that I don't get is that you seem to be admitting that the call on the punt return was by definition a hold. Then you say it shouldn't have been called? Is that because it benefit the steelers? What if it benefit the ravens? Would you honestly be saying the same thing. That call to me looked pretty obvious. The defensive holding against the ravens on the other hand was a bad call in my opinion. Of course that could have impacted the game and we will never really know. The part that frustrates steelers fans is that there were several missed calls and bad calls against both teams but people will ignore the ones favoring the ravens. I get that this is a result is sb 40(which I admit definitely favored the steelers). I consider myself pretty objective as well and truly believe that the steelers/ravens game was horribly officiated but in both directions. On the other hand, I have no problem admitting that the steelers got the majority of calls in sb 40. That doesn't mean that I believe there was a fix.

I knew I'd eventually find one of you. But don't mention that to the other Steeler faithful in this thread. That's blasphemous.In all seriousness, I thought Sunday's game was evenly called for three quarters. The hold was by definition a hold. But by definition there are 5 guys holding on every single play. That play shouldn't have been called and I would say seldom does get called. I have no idea why it was called on that play and most agree it shouldn't have been called.

The defensive linemen holding was bizare. I don't know where that came from and it seemed a pretty weird spot to be calling that one.

I've never believed in the conspiracy theories. It would be impossible to keep something like that under raps. I just called it like I see it. I've seen Indy get lucky breaks (when Troy intercepted Manning one year and it was called incomplete) and I have no problem saying bad call.

 

[Choke]

But by definition there are 5 guys holding on every single play. That play shouldn't have been called and I would say seldom does get called. I have no idea why it was called on that play and most agree it shouldn't have been called.

Well, now you changed your excuse/explanation/reason/stance on that hold, when the facts/pictures/video are in direct conflict of your previous position. Pretty convenient.

 

[Steelfan7]

I'm about as neutral as you can get in that game...

Over the years, I've become cynical to officiating. Fixed NBA games... head scratching college and pro football calls. Receivers doing that stupid "throw the flag" gesture and sometimes selling it to the referee. I actually saw a guy do that in one of the bowl games and on replay, it was shown there was no contact (none at all). You know, we've almost become conditioned to certain things. After that punt return, I KNEW it was coming back. I didn't see anything... just knew it.

Was THAT holding? I don't think so... I understand he grasped the jersey and by strict definition that is a hold - but that isn't the way the call is usually made. If it were, you would have holding on every play. The receiver was in good position; squared up with the defender and, once engaged, ran over him. My first - and honest - reaction on the replay was FIFA worthy "flop". And then defensive holding on a running play in the key series of the game? What?

I'm not saying the Steelers wouldn't have won the game. and I don't think the Ravens deserved a thing. They were inept in many facets of the game. Arguably inept in all facets in the second half. But I do hate trying to watch a game for the sheer enjoyment and having flags fly on key plays for marginal (at best) infractions. There is a point where you have to let them play.

The part that I don't get is that you seem to be admitting that the call on the punt return was by definition a hold. Then you say it shouldn't have been called? Is that because it benefit the steelers? What if it benefit the ravens? Would you honestly be saying the same thing. That call to me looked pretty obvious. The defensive holding against the ravens on the other hand was a bad call in my opinion. Of course that could have impacted the game and we will never really know. The part that frustrates steelers fans is that there were several missed calls and bad calls against both teams but people will ignore the ones favoring the ravens. I get that this is a result is sb 40(which I admit definitely favored the steelers). I consider myself pretty objective as well and truly believe that the steelers/ravens game was horribly officiated but in both directions. On the other hand, I have no problem admitting that the steelers got the majority of calls in sb 40. That doesn't mean that I believe there was a fix.

I knew I'd eventually find one of you. But don't mention that to the other Steeler faithful in this thread. That's blasphemous.In all seriousness, I thought Sunday's game was evenly called for three quarters. The hold was by definition a hold. But by definition there are 5 guys holding on every single play. That play shouldn't have been called and I would say seldom does get called. I have no idea why it was called on that play and most agree it shouldn't have been called.

The defensive linemen holding was bizare. I don't know where that came from and it seemed a pretty weird spot to be calling that one.

I've never believed in the conspiracy theories. It would be impossible to keep something like that under raps. I just called it like I see it. I've seen Indy get lucky breaks (when Troy intercepted Manning one year and it was called incomplete) and I have no problem saying bad call.

 

[pghrob]

OK 1000 post and the game has been over for over two days. I mean come on it was not even a well played game. Both teams played careless football.

Thank God the Refs made sure the Steelers won the game.