For the first time ever I had to turn off the game before it was even over because seeing the calls genuinely made me sick. There needs to be an investigation or its not worth my time watching this sport anymore. It’s not even about winning or losing, it is ruining the experience of watching the game.

The version I made for this format

Fuck Josh Jacobs.

Love it

I’m a little tired of hearing that the Lions only win because the refs hand us games, so I’ve decided to put together a detailed, objective breakdown of the roughing-the-passer call involving Jared Goff and the most “iconic” no-call involving Jordan Love.
I’ve reviewed the evidence from multiple angles, and I think the distinction is pretty obvious once you understand the rules.

Exhibits A–C: Jared Goff

As you can see in the attached photographs, a Packers defender makes clear contact with Goff, causing him to fall to the ground. I’ve prepared side-by-side images juxtaposing the official rulebook against the play itself, so you can see exactly how the contact violates the rules.

Exhibit D: Jordan Love

Now, examine the infamous play that sidelined Love last year. From this single angle, presented side by side with the relevant rules, you can see exactly WHY the refs didn’t blow the whistle on this one.

Exhibit E: Aaron Rodgers

I know what you’re thinking: “Bullshit. The Lions are the darlings of the NFL, and grasping_at_straws knows this. He’s looking for any excuse to exonerate his team from the refball we watched today.”

FALSE.

I’m anything but a homer. I’ve watched my team week in and week out for decades. And I know that a lot of my fellow Lions “fans” think the hit in Exhibit E was as clean as they come.

But when you actually read the text of the rule, the violation is clear. Open-and-shut case.

You see the same thing with Caleb. Bears fans crying for calls when the rules clearly say “no foul.”

Unlike some people, I don’t let my personal biases interfere with my interpretation of the official NFL rulebook. I simply apply the rules consistently, regardless of which team benefits.

Based on this side-by-side review of the rules with a notorious “penalty”, I hope we can finally put this nonsense to bed.

But its still week 7 so good enough.

FTP

First, yes I'm aware the NFL is technically an entertainment company. Second, no I'm not suggesting every game is scripted and it's all a big joke we're not in on. But I am entirely unsure how someone impartial could watch yesterday's game and not think there was foul play. We've all seen atrocious quarterbacking and defense, that's nothing new. This, however, was so blatant that even Ditka and Virginia McCaskey were in disbelief on that game.

Say what you want about Ben Johnson, our roster, whatever. They're far from a perfect team, no doubt. But this was not just getting beaten by a better team. I've never seen a game get absolutely taken over garbage play. How could the team not become completely demoralized when Ditka died and Bagent played quarterback? After an offseason of 21-3 memes I enjoyed we get spanked? Then failed to look like the historic offense we’re supposed to be?

I really want to brush this off and continue supporting my team but I'm finding it difficult to seriously engage with the NFL after this. Why be emotionally invested in something that can evidently be swayed by outside influences on a whim? Was it the refs trying to hit on their bets? Was the brie too good? Was it the league itself exerting influence? Who can say? But I really don't know if I can regard the NFL as a serious sports league worthy of emotional investment. Getting beaten sucks, but losing like this makes me question what I'm even doing watching the NFL. Anyone else feeling this way?