See, part of my problem, I guess, is that I don't subscribe to the "this is the way it's usually called" train of thought. Basically, in instances like those being discussed, what that's saying is :
"I know the call is wrong, but that's the way it's always called, so you have to expect it."
No. An official who calls something correctly by the rule shouldn't be called out because it's "not usually called." In said instances, the ref making the call is correct and the ones "usually calling it" are wrong.
That's where I think the comparison to the Super Bowl last year is relevant. Particularly when reviewing the Hobbs call and the Darrell Jackson PI call.
Jackson was called for pass interference and if you read the rule on pass interference, it's clear that he was in violation. However, people complained because it was seen as "ticky-tack" and "isn't usually called." So the ref takes heat for making a good call.
In the Pats/Colts game, they call faceguarding on Hobbs, which doesn't exist. He made no contact with the receiver, it was a great (if slightly lucky) play by Hobbs, and shouldn't have been a penalty. Yet, there's no uproar because "refs always call that." They're wrong. There's no rule against faceguarding, and that should not have been pass interference. The ref gets a pass for making the incorrect call.
And Pat - I know you lend no credence to this argument, but I firmly believe that the fact that Madden disagreed with the Jackson call and Simms defended the Hobbs call had a LOT to do with the fact that people griped about the former and not the latter (in addition, the ensuing media scrutiny that stemmed from the announcer's comments added fuel to the fire.) Why were the Seahawks fans I watched the game with that couldn't hear Madden's comments mad at Jackson for that play until the next day, when their anger suddenly turned towards the officials after reading all the garbage on the internet? I think your theory that the game last week was an instant classic, whereas the Super Bowl was something of an ugly game does have something to do with it, but I also think the commentators were a primary reason.