Espn's Mike Sando has started to comment on the one sided nature of the offiiating in this game. I am not bitching, but its pretty clear someone wanted to screw the pats in that game. There where several more highly questionable calls, as well as the fact the colts where being allowed to MAUL the pats recievers while they where being very ticky tacky with the pats defensive players.
Another interference penalty hurts Pats
You don't have to be a Pats fan to appreciate complaints over a couple of pass-interference calls against New England in this game. The second penalty, called on Ellis Hobbs, did not seem warranted upon review (or even in real time). The NFL apologized for an interference call against Hobbs levied during the Colts' victory in the AFC title game last season. I'll be curious to see how officiating director Mike Pereira interprets this latest call. We've seen plays in this very game where there was far more contact, but no penalties.
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando from Indy
A few years ago, the Colts complained about the Patriots' rough tactics in pass defense. Today the Colts are getting every call down the field, including a few sure to generate debate. Officials just flagged Randy Moss for offensive interference in the end zone, but Moss' hands appeared to be in the air, awaiting the ball. Unless there was something earlier in the play, I did not see any infraction there. Another one for officiating director Mike Pereira to explain. If anyone out there saw the violation, please explain. I didn't see it.
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando from Indy
The Patriots haven't had to worry about officiating this season because they've been dominating opponents so thoroughly. Not so in this game. Tom Brady and Kevin Faulk clearly thought Colts linebacker Gary Brackett held Faulk on that third-down play here in the third quarter. I thought Brackett held with his left hand while trailing the play. We've already had a couple of questionable pass-interference penalties against New England well down the field.
The Patriots' margin for error is small against the Colts. They're still in good position, down only 13-7. But a few calls have made things tougher on them.
Mike FLorio of pft says the same. Adds in the aspect of the colts apparently pumping in crowd noise after they where warned by the NFL.
Quote:
3. Pats have every right to be upset
Though the New England Patriots got out of Indy with a win, the NFL's lone remaining unbeaten team has every right to be livid about the quality (or lack thereof) of the officiating. The worst calls involved cases of pass interference.
It started when Colts tight end Dallas Clark mauled Pats safety Rodney Harrison in the end zone on a ball Harrison might have been able to intercept. No call.
It continued when Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel was flagged for interfering with Colts receiver Anthony Gonzalez on a ball that was simply not catchable.
It happened again when New England corner Ellis Hobbs was flagged for interference after Indy wideout Reggie Wayne literally tackled him.
The worst call was made in the fourth quarter, with the Patriots driving and trailing by 10. From the Indianapolis 3, New England quarterback Tom Brady threw to Randy Moss in the end zone. When the dust settled, Moss was flagged for offensive pass interference, even though he did nothing that would remotely classify as offensive pass interference. While New England overcame the 10-yard penalty to score a touchdown, the victory was a lot more difficult than it should have been because of the questionable decisions of the officials.
So what gives? Was it sheer incompetence? Or have the Patriots become the equivalent of the Raiders in the eyes of the NFL and those who officiate its games?
4. Milli Vanilli moment in Indy?
In the past, teams that have visited the RCA Dome have questioned whether the Colts pipe in artificial crowd noise in an effort to disrupt the road team's offense. Though the Colts have denied any such chicanery (thanks, Tiki), the suspicions remain.
And the suspicions will only grow stronger after Sunday's game against the Patriots. During the first play of the fourth quarter, the noise from the crowd contained a strange effect. It almost sounded like my kid was working the "Whammy Bar" while playing Guitar Hero.
We don't know whether that noise could be heard in the stadium, but it was obvious on the television broadcast. And it invites speculation as to whether the Colts are indeed piping in phony music -- and whether there was a malfunction of some sort on Sunday that offered proof of it.
