An NFL-is-rigged Super Bowl prediction

[Vader]

Exhibit A:
From 2008 to 2010 James Harrison would get tackled and horsecollared right in front of the refs time after time and couldn't draw a flag for holding. If they DID throw a flag every time he was held, the Steelers never would have lost a game. I refuse to believe that Rog didn't call the refs and say "You absolutely can NOT turn this guy loose on quarterbacks. See that it doesn't happen." Along with his bullshit fines for being a big meany and tackling people too hard.

So when did Roger tell the refs this? Harrison only had 8.5 sacks in 2007. Did they stop calling the penalty in 2007 before Roger told them? Why would he have MORE sacks in 2008 AFTER Roger told them to stop calling it? Why stop in 2010? Did he know Harrison was going to have a down year in 2011? Wow this Roger guy is modern day Nostradamus.

 

[steel pirate]

A better story line in 2005 would have been Peyton Manning (NFL's biggest star) wins his first Super Bowl...

Got to agree with you there. We did beat them in the playoffs but I seem to remember a certain call that was slightly questionable. Probably just a coincidence.

 

[Troglodyte]

Some Story Lines are just too good or coincidental. Just some that comes to mind

1. 2001 Patriots winning the superbowl after 9/11
2. 2005 Steelers winning the Superbowl after the Bus announces retirement...and it's in Detroit? Bonus!!
3. 2008 Steelers winning the Superbowl after the Patriots were caught in Spygate. It's like the NFL was like "we screwed you over in so many AFCC's, so here is a consolation"
4. 2012 Ravens win the Superbowl after Ray Lewis announces retirement. He's God's linebacker dont you know?

Now, I'm not saying I beleive that these are the case but it does make you question the validity of the games. It's not out of the rhealm of possibility given the NFL's lack of integrity.

Wouldn't it make a better conspiracy if the Giants or Jets won the Super Bowl? Or if one of the teams the Patriots beat in a Super Bowl won in 2008?
Conspiracy theories are great until you think critically about them. But critical thinking is mostly dead anymore so we get lots of conspiracy theories.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

So when did Roger tell the refs this? Harrison only had 8.5 sacks in 2007.

In 2008.

Did they stop calling the penalty in 2007 before Roger told them? Why would he have MORE sacks in 2008 AFTER Roger told them to stop calling it?

Because James became an every-down player.

Why stop in 2010? Did he know Harrison was going to have a down year in 2011?

By 2011 they changed the tackling rules and were fining James left and right for doing what he always did in order to take his game away.

Wow this Roger guy is modern day Nostradamus.

No, he was just doing what he could to keep one team not named the Pats* from being too dominant.

You have a better explanation for how 92 could be blatantly held all the time and the refs not calling it?

This:

Yeah that was clear on Harrison. That guy would have the single season sack record easily if not for that bs. That kinda stuff has to come from the top. You just can't explain it any other way.

 

[Punxsutawney]

All the game's best pass rushers are held constantly. The fact Harrison was constantly held without penalty is amplified in the mind of Steelers fans because the Steelers are what on which they're most focused.

It's pretty apparent that the league has been instructing officials to be more lenient on offensive holding in the passing game, to the extent they've instructed them to be increasingly more strict on defensive holding and contact downfield.

It's another attempt to open up offense in the league.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Why did our SB-winning QB get suspended for four games for no crime and no charges when players from other teams who were tried and convicted of more egregious things were suspended for less games or no games?
Why did The Rogmeister penalize Belicheat and the Pats* for cheating but destroy the evidence?
The evidence that Rog plays favorites and tries to influence the outcome of games is circumstantial for sure, but it's an awfully strong circumstantial.

 

[Troglodyte]

I suspect they destroyed the Patriots tapes because it showed they did indeed gain a competitive advantage from them or gave that impression. However that's different than conspiring to help them win prior to the fact.

They suspended Ben because he came off looking like a supreme douche bag and it's within their rights to do so. No player was convicted of rape and failed to get suspended.

 

[Zack_of_Steel]

I suspect they destroyed the Patriots tapes because it showed they did indeed gain a competitive advantage from them or gave that impression. However that's different than conspiring to help them win prior to the fact.

They suspended Ben because he came off looking like a supreme douche bag and it's within their rights to do so. No player was convicted of rape and failed to get suspended.

Where the **** was I when Ben was convicted of rape?

 

[steel pirate]

I suspect they destroyed the Patriots tapes because it showed they did indeed gain a competitive advantage from them or gave that impression.

It wasn't really that big of a deal, all the teams were doing it. Pats were just unfortunate to have been caught. The average fan was furious but I applaud the owners for keeping a level head about it.

 

[Wingman]

I suspect they destroyed the Patriots tapes because it showed they did indeed gain a competitive advantage from them or gave that impression. However that's different than conspiring to help them win prior to the fact.

They suspended Ben because he came off looking like a supreme douche bag and it's within their rights to do so. No player was convicted of rape and failed to get suspended.

How about killing someone. think back to the pedestrian in florida run over by a drunk player for another team, guy was dead.

 

[Wingman]

It wasn't really that big of a deal, all the teams were doing it. Pats were just unfortunate to have been caught. The average fan was furious but I applaud the owners for keeping a level head about it.

I am guessing sarcasm is in vogue

 

[Troglodyte]

Where the **** was I when Ben was convicted of rape?

He wasn't, neither was any player who wasn't suspended for it.

 

[steel pirate]

I am guessing sarcasm is in vogue

I dunno. I think that's what they said. If they were really the only ones cheating I think the other team owners would be furious. I guess they did get like a half million dollar fine or something. I don't know, it probably would have been bad for business to make a big deal of it.

 

[Troglodyte]

How about killing someone. think back to the pedestrian in florida run over by a drunk player for another team, guy was dead.

Just because someone else should have been suspended, has nothing to do whether Ben should have been suspended. It used to be legal for a man to beat his wife with a stick so long as it wasn't wider than his thumb. That's not a defense for Ray Rice.
Vehicular manslaughter is not murder.

 

[Vader]

In 2008.

When in 2008? Before the season? How did he know Harrison was going to be unblockable in 2008 before the season even started?

Because James became an every-down player.

So you think Roger knew he was going to break out because he became an every down player? How would he know that when the head coach didn't even know it. Timmons was drafted to play ROLB.

By 2011 they changed the tackling rules and were fining James left and right for doing what he always did in order to take his game away.

Bologna. That has nothing to do with being held on sacks. It was a league wide rule and I saw it called a ton of times on non-Harrison players. Fines didn't stop Harrison. You just made an arbitrary date that coincided with his down year. Again no evidence just speculation and black and gold glasses.

No, he was just doing what he could to keep one team not named the Pats* from being too dominant.

But why? The pats* never lost to the Steelers during that time period except for Ben's rookie year. Why would Goodall risk EVERYTHING so his team could do what they were already doing. This is why these conspiracy theories are so ignorant. They make no sense when they are evaluated by common sense. Also if he can control who wins then why did the pats* lose the SB to the Giants twice. He could have had the perfect team when they went 18-1. Just ONE call and the pats* are perfect. But either they aren't Goodall's team OR he doesn't have control... which is it? Regardless you'll make an excuse that always proves the conspiracy even if it doesn't make sense.

You have a better explanation for how 92 could be blatantly held all the time and the refs not calling it?

Yes, because I watch a lot of football and see it all the time. They aren't calling holding on every play. NO team is getting 3 holding calls in a row. I saw Damarcus Ware get his shirt ripped off when he was in Dallas with no call. It happens all the time. But when you wear black and gold glasses it isn't as noticeable. Ask a Dallas fan about it. They feel the same way. So I guess Goodall is conspiring against the entire NFL.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

He didn't. I'm saying that stuff started gradually and ratcheted up as Harrison became better and better. Again, I'm not saying Rog fixes the games (maybe others are). I'm saying he orders little tweaks and favors here and there. As far as the Pats*, it wasn't a matter of seeing to it that they beat the Steelers. The Belicheat/Brady passing game is kryptonite enough to the Steeler style of defense without any help (other than Belicheat's cheating). Just a matter that for whatever reason the Pats* are Rog's favorite team and he likes to see them do well.

Again no evidence just speculation and black and gold glasses.

I agree but like I said, the circumstantial evidence is strong. In my opinion the NFL isn't fixed like the WWE is, it's fixed more subtley like NASCAR.

 

[Badcat]

Wouldn't it make a better conspiracy if the Giants or Jets won the Super Bowl? Or if one of the teams the Patriots beat in a Super Bowl won in 2008?
Conspiracy theories are great until you think critically about them. But critical thinking is mostly dead anymore so we get lots of conspiracy theories.

Perhaps you missed the part where I say thT I don't necessary
It believe in the theories, but it should make you think that perhaps something is up.

 

[steel pirate]

In my opinion the NFL isn't fixed like the WWE is, it's fixed more subtley like NASCAR.

Right, if you played high school football you know that it couldn't be choreographed like that. You would also probably have experienced "home cooking." Sometimes you have to beat the guys on the field and the refs.

 

[Drink IRON City]

ADD in the massive amount of money to the mix, I'm sure some things are narrowed and not just left to chance. NOT all games, but some, are influenced. The degree of influence is the only QUESTION mark, left to answer.



Salute the nation

 

[Ron Burgundy]

ADD in the massive amount of money to the mix, I'm sure some things are narrowed and not just left to chance. NOT all games, but some, are influenced. The degree of influence is the only QUESTION mark, left to answer.

Besides their regular cheating, a while ago I saw some ridiculous stat on the Pats*, something like they covered the spread on every home game for about three years straight. I realize the other three teams in their division usually suck but that's just not normal. That ain't right.

 

[Omar10213245]

Besides their regular cheating, a while ago I saw some ridiculous stat on the Pats*, something like they covered the spread on every home game for about three years straight. I realize the other three teams in their division usually suck but that's just not normal. That ain't right.

So what do you surmise? Explain the chain of events that make you think its "not right"

 

[Ron Burgundy]

So what do you surmise? Explain the chain of events that make you think its "not right"

I just did.
10 char

 

[Omar10213245]

I just did.
10 char

I mean, what has transpired, to ensure that the pats have been able to cover the spread at home for so long? did the commissioner call the owner? the general manager? the coach? was it someone other than the commissioner sanctioning such influence over patriot home games? was there a conference call with all players on the team? And beyond that, what exactly was said between the conspiring parties? What directives were given out? who was put on notice that it's their *** if the pats don't cover the spread? Give some details.

 

[Wingman]

How about this Omar.

Hypothetical situation. If I was going to try and manipulate a game I would not involve coaches and players and owners etc. The best model for manipulation of anything is the one that involves the fewest number of people. The easiest way would be to get one official or two in on the fix, only one or two say the head guy and one other. If a few bad calls are made during the game that a kill a drive or two for an opponent they will likely loose in a close game if they are good, blowout if bad. Same thing with a bad call or two that keeps a drive alive for the cheats. It would not take that many to affect the outcome of a game and at times it would be ineffective. If it hit 75 percent of the time there would still be doubt about it and folks would say it is not fixed.

It would also be very cost effective you only need to have a small number of guys on the take. Organized crime did something similar to this once they got more sophisticated, instead of paying off cops it was easier to pay off judges lots less of them.

 

[Omar10213245]

How about this Omar.

Hypothetical situation. If I was going to try and manipulate a game I would not involve coaches and players and owners etc. The best model for manipulation of anything is the one that involves the fewest number of people. The easiest way would be to get one official or two in on the fix, only one or two say the head guy and one other. If a few bad calls are made during the game that a kill a drive or two for an opponent they will likely loose in a close game if they are good, blowout if bad. Same thing with a bad call or two that keeps a drive alive for the cheats. It would not take that many to affect the outcome of a game and at times it would be ineffective. If it hit 75 percent of the time there would still be doubt about it and folks would say it is not fixed.

It would also be very cost effective you only need to have a small number of guys on the take. Organized crime did something similar to this once they got more sophisticated, instead of paying off cops it was easier to pay off judges lots less of them.

Sorry wingman, I just don't buy it.

To a certain extent, I think these fantastic ideas on the league's underbelly come from our own human desire to feel like we have some sort of control of what we see before our eyes, so we try to do so through explanation. If we're able to figure out a way to explain a pattern that may or may not be there, it gives us peace of mind, because people always feel a certain amt of anxiety about what they DON'T know, or aren't 100% sure of. As I've said before, I've considered nothing put before me to be "impossible", but absolutely VERRRRRRY implausible (with regards to these ideas). Especially considering the level that sports journalism and to a larger extent, investigative journalism, has risen to, I seriously doubt such undertakings and misgivings could happen without SOMEONE of reputable record to blow the whistle.