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by Digger

NFL refs were at it again this past weekend. All too often in 2008, NFL referee's calls on the field have cost teams potential victories. San Diego fell victim during their 39-38 loss in Denver when refs blew it. San Diego was back in the spotlight once again in week 11 at Pittsburgh.

On the games final play SD trailed Pittsburgh 11-10. They tried a desparation pass then multiple laterals hoping to miraculously score the winning touchdown with no time remaining. The trick play didn't work when Steelers Strong Safety Troy Polamalu batted the ball down, picked it up, and returned it for an apparent touchdown for what would have been at least a 17-10 Pittsburgh victory.

(view play here)

Pittsburgh had been favored to beat San Diego by 4 to 5 points in Vegas sports books. The seven point victory would have netted Pittsburgh betters over $10M in Nevada. Tens of millions more probably would have been won around the country through illegal bookies or other gaming establishments.

Game officials were slow to huddle after Polamalu scored. The play went to review.. the touchdown was overturned reverting the score back to Pittsburgh 11, San Diego 10. Game Over. Luckily, the denied touchdown did not effect the games' outcome. After the game, referee Scott Green said the officials realized afterward the touchdown should have counted, though it wouldn't have affected the result.

Not quite, the result affected betting fans over $10M in winnings!

Yellow flags went againt Pittsburgh all game long. San Diego was flagged twice (once on the blown call), while the Steelers were nailed 13 times. Many were left scratching their heads as to how SD only managed one penalty before the final play. Those who dig conspiracy theories have already been blogging away on team sites. NFL promises to investigate further and possibly amend replays next season.

It's been an interesting season for NFL officials. It would be tough to say games are being thrown. Games I've watched this year has left me feeling there are more non-calls than blown calls. It's the non-calls I sometimes call into question... especially when there's a ref in the vicinity of plays. It would be hard for anyone to suspect many fouls being invented while no calls have left some wondering what's going on.

The NBA survived the ref point shaving scandal as only one ref was found guilty. As for the NFL? No need for anyone to worry just yet. However, with all of the mis-steps in 2008 from refs apologizing after games to players and coaches comments, the NFL needs to do something. What exactly can be done is anyone's guess? Tougher guidelines and oversight would be a good starting point and perhaps some sort of game by game point ranking system designed to insure only the best of the best are allowed to officiate professional football games.

No matter if it's football, baseball, hockey, basketball or soccer... refs will never be perfect. Let's just hope they're always on the up and up. Games like this past weekend, in the wake of NBA's recent ref scandal, only creates doubts.

Notes: 11-10 final score was an NFL first after 12,837 games. Chargers remain winless in Pittsburgh, 0-13.