That fourth-quarter roughing-the-passer penalty on Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick Sunday night at Las Vegas was technically correct. There was helmet-to-helmet contact, however marginal.
But Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett got hit in the head twice earlier. No calls.
Like always, and in every sport, the consistency of officiating is a big problem.
But sports are enslaved by gambling – and so openly, with billions invested in sponsorship.
The demand for TV ratings is so big.
So, when a borderline call gets made that keeps the result in doubt a bit longer, it makes me wonder.
Like the roughing call on Fitzpatrick and (later) the leverage flag on DeMarvin Leal during a Las Vegas field-goal attempt. WTF is “leverage”?
I’m not accusing. I’m wondering.
Perhaps it’s nothing more sinister than refereeing the score. Giving the trailing team a break, which is as old as officiating itself.
Perhaps.
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