Either the officials get better and more consistent or instant replay is our best hope of less inexplicable or inconsistent decisions. The NFL refuses to invest in its officiating, which is the root problem. Not that perfection is going to come even then. As a result, at least a single group remotely is more likely to be consistent. With coverage already fragmented by TV, there are worse things than this, even if it’s not ideal. I don’t want seasons actually, or even legitimately arguably, decided by rank bad, correctable calls. That devalues the whole process.

Cory, for better or worse, this is the way it's going to be.

I remember when I couldn't believe all these people had to have cell phones. "Who did thy think they were impressing with their importance?"

Then my boss and all our certifying agencies decided it would be better to put all our records and reports on a computer? Can't believe how everything is screwed up now!

Tin foil hat conspiracies aside, I've always held to the belief ref's calls, like the plays they're officiating, even out over the course of a season.

Unfortunately, in a game which now embraces wagering, too much rides on pivotal plays within a 60 minute time frame to set replay aside.

If you gotta have replay, NFL, at least figure out how to invest the resources in it so you can do it on par with the quality of product you try to put on the field.

Reviews are going to stay. Instead of getting rid of it let's make it better. Get rid of the idea that the call on the field is correct until proven incorrect. Look at the replay and decide which way it should be ruled on its own merit. Make all player safety rules reviewable by NY. Incorporate more replay assist. Let a coach challenge a call until they get one wrong.

Let's review why full-time instant replay review was instituted in the NFL. Mike Holmgren served on the NFL Competition Committee. Jerry Rice fumbled in the 1999 NFC Wild Card game against the Packers. The Packers recovered. The 49ers kept the ball and won the game. The end.

There is an easy solution for instant replay. Having a ref in the booth and making sure calls are correct. They have the technology and the ability to have someone to overlook the calls in real time and make it almost seamless. They could have limitless ability.

There are calls in games that are game changers. Think about the Packers Lions game. Watson got called for OPI, when he was within legal limit to throw a block, but he was simply trying to run his route yet got called, and they had a TD taken away. Then there is the Vikings game where they got called for being offsides when they weren't. That should be easily reviewed. It would happen almost instantly and wouldn't drag on.

While some calls don't directly lead to wins or losses in a game, the timing of some of these penalty's wreck drives or gives offenses second chances. I believe it was in the Washington Detroit game (I can't remember), but a player got called for a facemask penalty. When in reality the guy grabbed his shoulder pads. That gave the offense new life when they were shut down. And think about the clear obvious missed calls. For example in the Packers Eagles game, the 3rd and 1 tush push fake play. Williams was tackled in the backfield. No call. Next play they get the first down, take 5 minutes off the clock, kick the FG and are up by 9.

One other change that I want to see is, I want to see them making sure all personal fouls are called correctly. Facemask, roughing the QB, hitting players out of bound, etc. It should be reviewed. I think about the facemask penalty that the facemask wasn't grabbed. Or in the Eagles vs Commanders game, there was the personal foul on Latimore. That should have been offsetting fouls.

They have the technology to make things better. Its time to start using it!

I'm fine with instant replay, and I think it's getting better as they are able to make some calls in New York without interrupting the flow of the game too much. It's never going to be perfect, but it's better than just going with the call on the field.

The reason the two refs spotted the ball differently on that QB sneak by Josh Allen was because they had completely different views of the play. They correctly went with the call of the official who could actually see where the ball was. The announcers should have explained that, but I don't think they did.

"But instead of actually spotting the ball or even bringing out the chains like we’ve all seen many times, Clete Blakeman’s crew sent the play to instant replay."

It's called passing the buck. The Refs decided to let others decide what to do and answer to the League that, IMO, has sent orders that 'HISTORY' will be made this season with the crowning of a 3-peat Champion and League darling Mahomes, and all those that bring more notoriety to the viewing of the sport. A special thanks going out to Miss ().

I think you’re always going to have error, but a sensor in the ball would help clear up whether it’s a first down.

I think Buffalo got boned, twice, just minutes away from a trip to the Super Bowl. A sensor in the ball would have prevented that. Of course, if the refs are trying to bone you, they’ll find another way.

I agree with just about everything said here -- just shows the power of collective wisdom!
The competition committee will only change so much in one off-season (excluding an obvious SB disaster call/non-call.

Easy fixes: No limits on challenge flags if you get previous challenges correct.
Review all personal fouls quickly upstairs - these 15 yarders are game changers.
Ditch the 'ruling on the field stands' philosophy and just go with the right answer. (Us fans 'get' that the league is just patronizing officials by standing with officials. Overturned calls doesn't diminish referee credibility - we all get that 100 angles on replay in slo-mo is going to be more accurate than a ref's insta-call on the field -- this doesn't negate the value of officials.

Upstairs, overturn refs who don't rule a close play a turnover - which is automatically reviewable and gets the call correct. When a turnover isn't ruled (but actually was a turnover) that screws the team that recovered the ball.

Our favorite topic: what's a catch? Yes -- we can never escape this topic! "how many plays were confusing this season because nobody knew it was a catch"

Here's my new one to add that I've seen multiple times this year:

WR goes to the ground in the process of making a catch. DB falls over the WR (touching him). WR THEN completes the catch (after fumbling/wrestling with it). WR is ruled 'down by contact'. Here's my question: if a DB ONLY touches the WR BEFORE the WR completes the catch, why is the WR 'down by contact'? He wasn't 'tackled' after he (finally) made the catch. I think that the WR SHOULD be allowed to get up and run with the ball...as he wasn't touched (on the ground) AFTER he had actually 'caught' the ball. Make sense?

Instant replay is fine .... two red flags per half , and automatic review in last 2 minutes. But the refs have to make the call on the field you can tell in many cases a reluctancy to make a call. Also reviewers only get 30 seconds to make the call ... ( baseball has this right ) fans and teams standing around waiting 5-10 minutes for the review is ridiculous its why people complain. Look at the replay call it in its not that difficult.... As far as the NFL being RIGGED didn't we just finally get out of that horror show or are we just a Nation of beer drinking, carb eating conspirators.....peace

I’ve had much to say about this topic in the past—many have disagreed with me.
The integrity of the NFL’s officiating is in a serious spotlight—rightfully so. Asking what the hell is happening is a legitimate question.
The Chief’s games especially, have been highly suspect. Check the Falcons, Bengals, and Falcons games if you believe I’m over reacting. The Chiefs/Texans playoff game was particularly questionable.
The Nixon fumble vs the Egeles was clearly recovered by Nixon—not to mention the helmet to helmet collision. It was a critical call that “may” have altered the game.
I was originally against video replay, until the Jerry Rice fumble vs Packers—it was an obvious fumble to all, except the official, who was standing right next to play. But now, I don’t know, the officials appear to frequently ignore what was obvious via replay—wth?
This year’s officiating has me wondering about the influence of Lamar Hunt, Robert Kraft…and now, the Waltons (Walmart), own the Broncos. Is Jeff Lurie rich enough? Are the Packers rich enough?
NFL gambling—With a gazillion dollars at stake each week, is corruption lurking behind the curtain.
Jalen Hurts preparing to perform another tush-push, screaming his cadence at a super animated defensive alignment. Shawn Hoculi, self-appointed ruler of the NFL, advises he will award the Egeles a score if he chooses to.
Hoculi, the son of former NFL official Ed Hoculi. Gee, nepotism—nah…
The perception by many, including me—the NFL has a glaring problem.
What’s the answer?
I’m not ot watching this year’s SB—haven’t missed one since the packers beat the raiders.
Go Packers!!!