More Monday Night Football Shenanigans

Did anyone catch the ending of the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers game two weeks ago? I had no action other than my confidence pool but I was watching this game with a friend who did take the Patriots on the spread and think he got screwed along with everyone else who took the Patriots.

With just 3 seconds left in the game from the 18 yard line, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady fired one last shot to tight end Rob Gronkowski. The pass was intercepted but the official at the back of the end zone threw a flag for pass interference on Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly who clearly was impeding Gronkowski from turning to make the catch. After officials gathered for a moment they waived off the penalty and called the game over.

The part that makes it even more interesting is that the Panthers were 3 point favorites with more action on the Patriots. Final result, Panthers 24 - Patriots 20. Once again right down to the last play and the side with more action loses. Doesn't anyone notice this happen over and over and over again? Obviously they can't have every game come that close for suspicion but the high number of games that do is completely impossible unless manipulated.

Once again the NFL, ESPN and Vegas clean house.

NFL and the Replacements

If you follow American football then you know the first three weeks of the NFL season have been marred by horrible officiating by replacement referees. The most controversial call would have to be this past Monday nights touchdown by the Seattle Seahawks to end the game victorious 14-12 over the Green Bay Packers. Just to note, the Packers were a three point chalk and according to one website had 70% of bettors on their side. Time and time again when bettors are that lopsided funny things tend to happen come game time. One sports book estimated that $250 Million worldwide flipped from one side to the other on this play. Look closely at the offensive pass interference, which player has control of the ball, the two referee's different calls and you be the judge. Was is fixed?

Alonso Accuses Hamilton in Race-fix Storm

Controversy struck at last weekends F1 European Grand Prix when driver Fernando Alonso accused the sport's governing body of fixing the race to assist 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton.  After Mark Webber's insane crash the safety car was deployed which is not to be passed.  Alonso slowed but Hamilton directly in front of him roared on.  Hamilton claimed the safety car was not out of the pits at the time and therefore he did not have to wait.  Difference of opinion or fact?  This helped Hamilton to finish second even with a 20-second drive-through penalty and keep the series lead while Alonso settled for ninth.  Alonso is ready to fight his way back into the lead positions after last weekend so stay tuned for the next F1 race.