This is the fun part of being a fan of the villians/team people love to hate: watching the irrational butthurt! None of that could have been because the Pats are a disciplined team, right? Quick google search says Pats were the 2nd least penalized team in the league, averaging 5.6/game. Jags were 18th, at 6.6. So right off the bat, that's one extra flag per game that the Jags usually get, so let's take one off of the top Didn't break that number down further, but sure home field and crowd noise is part of it as well. Honestly thought the refs did a decent job, had the 'let them play' mentality while still calling the obvious stuff, and not just swallowing the whistle altogether. they let smaller stuff go on BOTH SIDES, could just as easily called a couple more PIs, some borderline handfighting stuff that just didn't get calls. So, of those 6 penalties that the Patriots paid for, which ones were the bad ones? -Delay of game: Jax didn't snap the ball until well after 00 on the clock. Derp. -False start: not much to say there, they jumped. -Helmet to Helmet against Gronk: Yep, exactly what happened. I'm sure the Jags would take 15 yards to get Gronk out of the game ALL DAY. Not complaining that it was a dirty play, as I don't think it was overly intentional, but it's a penalty. (we're already down to 3-1, so it's not looking promising, but lets keep looking) -Illegal shift on Jax. Again, is there controversy on this one? Other than fans not really knowing what it is? -Down to just the two PI calls, and both were not really in doubt. The first one was a little ticky-tack, but he put both hands on cooks' shoulders, so it's so visually obvious that it will be called every time. So, where were we? Pats had one, holding on an offensive play. No real argument there. Both sides got away with some smaller stuff, but didn't feel that went one way or the other. Every play is holding, every return is a block in the back if you want to call it, no one wants to watch that game. So unless the argument is that you're upset that the refs didn't jump in and HELP the jags, not sure where this goes... The smiling ref pic? Go play the video. There was a little pushing after the play, I'm sure someone said something or protested their innocence, which is what the ref was laughing off. Optics aren't super awesome on the ref coming up the Brady at the end of the game, but he's been in the league forever and knows the refs at this point, not sure it's overly bad. Saying congrats on the superbowl/comeback I don't really think stands out, and it was a 2 second thing, not like he gave him a hug
The ref's mic picked up the whole thing. He said "Hail Satan, Dark Brother. Tonight we feast on the blood of the innocent."
Like ive said, Belichick may have sold his soul to the devil for football greatness, but he’s for damned sure getting his money’s worth.
All the penalties called against the Jags were deserved. Yeah the play being called dead on the fumble hurt a little bit. Okay maybe a lot but tough call for the refs in real time. The Jags probably deserved a flag on a ball across the middle on an important third down where Lewis got take down before the ball got there but that’s all I think the Jags cam hang there hats on. I don’t recall seeing the Pats catching a break on anything else. The Jags pucker factor turned on in the fourth quarter and they were rooting for the clock to run out. We’ve all seen that movie before. Hell, we watched Georgia do it against Bama in the fourth quarter a couple of weeks ago.
Looking at your results it shows that Pats penalties decreased to a virtually nothing and the Jags went up over 150%. Add that in 16 games the Jags defense was penalized 5 times for defensive pass interference. In one game they received 2 of those calls. And the ones that didn't get called seemed to be in favor of the Pats. Where are you getting six from? The Delay, False starts and illegal shifts are easy. Gronk hit, a good hit, and a penalty. The PI calls were not in doubt? When did it become legal for wide receivers to hand check and push off on the defenders? That was big play since it ended the game for the Jags. Since you admit there is holding on every play, amazing that the Pats only have one penalty. You didn't address Amendola head butting a Jags player.... I'm sure refs laughing and joking with one team is nothing to be worried about. The pushing was between Pats players. The ref wasn't in the middle of scrum. He might as well have given him more than that if the cameras had not been there...
I would have been as happy as anyone to have seen the Jags pull an upset, but really, why would the NFL care who plays in the Super Bowl? The SB will get monster ratings regardless of which teams play. In fact, the league has done all it can to ensure that every team has a good chance to get to the SB. That's what parity has been about. Sometimes teams that play with a lot of poise during the regular season, as they get deeper into the playoffs, succumb to the pressure and lose their poise. They then might do things they don't normally do, like picking up pass interference penalties.
It's the old adage that Jordan got all the calls. Before that Bird/Magic got all the calls. Now Labron gets all the calls. That is possible that nerves played a part in the game.
Can we please, please, please stop using the term "game changer?" Have you noticed how EVERYTHING these days is a game changer?
I really don't care who wins this Super Bowl... the Patriots most likely will, and that's fine. I've resigned myself to waiting until the dynasty breaks up. Matt Patricia is going to go coach the Lions, Brady will eventually age out (maybe two or three more seasons) BB will eventually retire, etc. The train will stop at some point, and then it will be some other team's turn. The Jaguars look good, and I think that with a few tweaks here and there they will be regular contenders.
There were the rumors not too long ago that Belichick fell out of favor with Kraft and might make a run for the Giants. If true, I'll have a whole new reason to hate them!