marty -> RE: The Packers (11/18/2011 2:29:48 PM)
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Danimal I agree the Packers could have easily covered 13, the refs just made sure it was likely to happen. I don't think the refs were trying to make sure the Pack won by 30, just that they got an early lead and past the 13, and then some help when they were ahead 17 so they would get up by 24 and they'd be comfortable the Pack would cover the spread. Had the Vikes started making some noise when the Pack was up by 24, I think the refs would have again gotten involved to help it get comfortably past 20, with biased calls and non-calls. The Packers beat the Vikes AT HOME in 2010 by 28 points without much help from the officials, but this last game, I think there was a determination that the Pack would be likely to cover the spread. The Packers easily could have covered it without all the officials help, but we'll never know. I agree it's unlikely the Vikes would have covered 13 had the refs not been biased, but you never know. The Vikes may have scored after the 1st obvious Packer PI on 3rd down, then gotten an early turnover on defense with the momentum, and gone up by 14. Then they might have started to take over the game with a power run game, the Packers abandon their run game, Jared Allen goes sack crazy, and the Vikes weak 2ndary gets some picks playing more aggressively with the lead. There are several NFL games every year where a giant underdog beats a strong favorite. Maybe the Packers still would have came back to make it close, but the Vikes still hang onto the lead with Peterson running out the clock. Or the Packers might have come back and won in a close game, but they likely would NOT have covered the spread. The obvious Packer PI non-call on 3rd down helped facilitate early momentum, making it likely the Packers got up early in the game.
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