WOW!!!

Shocking ending to last night's Seattle/Green Bay game.  It was a tough battle throughout with Seattle's defense dominating the game in the first half sacking Rodgers 8 times!  The Packers clearly have some O line issues that unless resolved will most likely be their downfall this season. 

Still, in the second half the Packers realized their line was overmatched and began running the ball and adding more TEs to the line and running short passes that proved effective.  They ended up taking a 12-7 lead late into the fourth quarter and that is where the real drama began.

There were a few very bad calls in the final minutes that included:

1. On a first and like 30, Wilson threw a deep ball down the left sideline and it looked like clear pass interference on the WR yet the GB corner was called for the pass interference.  Terrible call but this sometimes happens so as bad as it was you sometimes have to live with that type of call.  The tough part was that it was a first and 30 and the call made it an automatic first down.  The call ultimately didn't hurt the Puckers as Seattle's drive stalled deep in GB territory and they turned it over on downs. 

2. The other call that everyone is talking about today was the final play of the game.  It was a fourth down with a few seconds remaining and Russel Wilson threw a hail mary into the end zone.  First, Golden Tate clearly shoved the GB DB out of the way to clear space.  This is not so egregious as it is common for players on both sides (but particularly offensive players) to do that on hail marys.  However, it seemed obvious that another GB DB came down with the ball.  The GB corner seemed to have it and fall with back on top of Golden Tate and Tate seemed to have at least one hand through the GB corner's arm on the ball and inexplicably it was ruled a TD. 

When I was watching live it seemed like an obvious INT so I was surprised by the ruling on the field.  Still, the play went to review and I figured it would be overturned.  Even more confounding was that after review the play was confirmed as a TD.  SHOCKING!!!

The call has led to number of people voicing their disgust on Twitter and other social media outlets.  It is all anyone is talking about on sports radio.  The replacement refs have been bad in most games throughout this season as they have misunderstood the rulebook, misunderstood penalties, lost control of games, and often times just look confused.  However, the height of the replacement ref issue was highlighted last night on MNF national tv on a last second play on a call that ultimately decided the outcome of a game.  I am not sure I have ever seen a more obvious play that was so critical called incorrectly.

I get that these refs are unqualified and are doing their best.  I don't believe for a second they have any bad intentions but honestly this is an embarrassment for the NFL and for Roger Goodell.  From my understanding, what the refs are asking for is not substantial so this almost seems like a battle of egos.  The dispute has to get resolved and last night's outcome/debacle only makes this more obvious.  If anything, last night's ruling only strengthens the case for the real refs so just get them back already.

Will be interesting to see what the fallout of last night's call will be in the coming days and in next week's games.