Seattle Finally Gets Called Out

[J. David Wannyheimer]

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303754404579310500005285822

Quietly, the Seahawks have achieved a 13-3 record and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs by exploiting a loophole: NFL referees are reluctant to throw endless flags for pass interference and defensive holding, even if defenses deserve them.

"They look at it and say, 'We may get called for one but not 10,'" said Mike Pereira, a former NFL vice president of officiating who is now a Fox analyst.

The Seahawks are routinely committing pass interference and holding penalties because they know officials don't like to call it unless it's against the Patriots? You don't say.

 

[utahphinsfan]

Seattle is the most penalized team. So, it balances out?

Personally, I'd rather Seattle get a few breaks as opposed to who usually gets them; stealers, cheatriots, donkeys.

 

[Sons Of Shula]

I do not mind anything that defenses can get away with in today's NFL to be more physical.

 

[Awsi Dooger]

There's nothing more grotesque than wimpy pass offenses that take advantage of modern rules and interpretations. An entire generation of fans has been brought up to expect nothing but prancing touchdowns with defenses increasingly handicapped and legislated away. Dolphin fans are among the most incompetent of all, the ones who savored the Marino era and actually thought that was good football.

I applaud any team that prioritizes defense. Seattle is spectacular to watch. Today they faced an immense challenge. New Orleans was the most underrated team in the postseason, with a +1.6 Yards Per Pass Attempt Differential. That was tied with Denver for second best, behind Seattle, of all the teams remaining in the playoffs. The Saints played terrific pass defense under Rob Ryan this year and were a legitimate threat to go all the way if they had gotten past today's game. The one thing they couldn't afford was a slow start and Ingram's fumble contributed to the deep hole. I really believe if they had played close to even in the first half that Brees would have pulled that game out. New Orleans pounced on all the cute bootleg plays that Seattle thrives on, and that Russell Wilson has used wherever he's played.

The sportsbooks had to hate that game. There were -7.5 all over the place during the week but today it was bet as high as -9.5. Bettors collected on either side. My YPPA Differential system went 2-0 for 4-1 total. I had Seahawks -7.5 and Patriots -7. As I've mentioned, it's a simple system of taking any team with at least a half yard edge over its opponent. The Colts were ultimate frauds with a -.6 net. Somebody had to win that incompetent game last week, with the -.6 Chiefs facing an equally flawed team. The Dolphins and their -.6 would have met a similar fate.

The playoffs are the most legitimate football of the season with few penalties and high volume rushing attempts. Great job by Lynch and Blount today. We might pay attention.

 

[j-off-her-doll]

It's set up to be a historic playoffs. The greatest QB rivalry in the AFC and the greatest current rivalry in the NFC.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

I do not mind anything that defenses can get away with in today's NFL to be more physical.

Then change the rules. When the former head of NFL officiating comes out and says that the team is essentially getting away with rulebreaking because the officials don't want to call it constantly, that's either a problem with a rule, or a problem with the officiating. I don't blame the Seahawks for getting away with it. I blame the NFL for not enforcing the rules it has created.

 

[DuderinoN703]

Seattle would be my team if I could do it all over again. I like everything about them right now. The stadium, the fans, even their uniforms (definitely the logo).