Do You Fully Trust NFL Outcomes ?

[Bob Sheed]

This actually is all tangential to why I mostly don't watch the Reds anymore, outside of Opening Day and checking box scores. Knowing they aren't trying and aren't likely to try anytime soon feels similar to how I imagine it would feel if I thought things were fixed.

Yep, same here. The Reds might be a bad example.

I see what you're saying though, and I agree. If I thought the NFL was like pro wrestling, I wouldn't watch. I don't think it's scripted.

I do think that there are people in positions of influence that alter the integrity of the game from time to time.

One example I used was a WR dropping the first pass thrown to him on purpose, and then 2 days later he has 3 million magically deposited in an offshore account.

I have little doubt that stuff like that happens.

I also think the NFL steers things toward narratives. That's a good thing for the Bengals these days, except for this Sunday.

Too much money is involved for it to be 100 % authentic.

[Ky Fried Redleg]

Fair enough, but I don't know why you'd watch sports if you believe these kinds of things. Can't be enjoyable.

Honestly, I think this is the kind of thing a lot of people say they believe, but don't really, because they continue to watch. If I thought sports weren't mostly on the level I'd drop watching and never look back.

This was the question I was going to ask next. If you has strong feelings that things weren't completely on the level, would it kill your interest in watching?

[Ky Fried Redleg]

Yep, same here. The Reds might be a bad example.

I see what you're saying though, and I agree. If I thought the NFL was like pro wrestling, I wouldn't watch. I don't think it's scripted.

I do think that there are people in positions of influence that alter the integrity of the game from time to time.

One example I used was a WR dropping the first pass thrown to him on purpose, and then 2 days later he has 3 million magically deposited in an offshore account.

I have little doubt that stuff like that happens.

I also think the NFL steers things toward narratives. That's a good thing for the Bengals these days, except for this Sunday.

Too much money is involved for it to be 100 % authentic.

Yep. The league wants it's storylines. It knows the public loves a good soap opera. . "Guiding Light" began on radio in 1937 and continued on CBS television in 1952 until 2009.

[Ky Fried Redleg]

Anyone surprised that Cheffers & crew are calling the game? The Bills have won 8 in a row and are 15 of 18 overall when Chef does Bills' games. Oh, and I know what you're thinking. Here's the answer. Bengals are 4-10-2 with Cheffers crew. Goodell is already massively erect thinking about that game in Atlanta.

[WVRed]

Anyone surprised that Cheffers & crew are calling the game? The Bills have won 8 in a row and are 15 of 18 overall when Chef does Bills' games. Oh, and I know what you're thinking. Here's the answer. Bengals are 4-10-2 with Cheffers crew. Goodell is already massively erect thinking about that game in Atlanta.

In the past this would concern me (and it still does).

But as long as we have Burrow we will always have a chance.

[Chip R]

It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to have scripted outcomes in sports. Pro wrestling can do it because it's a one on one situation and cooperation is easier that way. The closest it's ever come to that was the Black Sox in 1919. Even then one of the eight didn't play, Weaver supposedly played it straight, Jackson - depending on who you believe - also played it straight. The ones that did throw the Series didn't do it every play. The pitchers didn't throw meatballs every pitch. And, most importantly, the Reds didn't cooperate.

[Kingspoint]

China has an incredible influence on the NBA right now because of the financial monies they give directly and indirectly to the NBA. There are many online betting sites that originate in China...just sayin'.

[Kingspoint]

Influencing outcomes has more to do with an official "not" making a call than it does making a call. He can't be blamed for missing something, as opposed to calling something that never happened. Any team knows when they are getting the benefit of the doubt from an official and will be more aggressive accordingly (same reason Stars in the NBA can be more aggressive, making themselves look better than they are, because they aren't going to be called for traveling and fouling on Defense,...they can even get away with flagrant fouls where either nothing is called or a regular fould gets called, even after review, which means nothing).

[Redsfaithful]

Influencing outcomes has more to do with an official "not" making a call than it does making a call. He can't be blamed for missing something, as opposed to calling something that never happened. Any team knows when they are getting the benefit of the doubt from an official and will be more aggressive accordingly (same reason Stars in the NBA can be more aggressive, making themselves look better than they are, because they aren't going to be called for traveling and fouling on Defense,...they can even get away with flagrant fouls where either nothing is called or a regular fould gets called, even after review, which means nothing).

I'm more sympathetic to this for sure, and for the conspiracy theorists out there Bengals receivers were getting pretty beat up vs. the Ravens with no calls. Goodberry and Liscow both noted it on Twitter during the game if I remember right.

[Ky Fried Redleg]

Influencing outcomes has more to do with an official "not" making a call than it does making a call. He can't be blamed for missing something, as opposed to calling something that never happened. Any team knows when they are getting the benefit of the doubt from an official and will be more aggressive accordingly (same reason Stars in the NBA can be more aggressive, making themselves look better than they are, because they aren't going to be called for traveling and fouling on Defense,...they can even get away with flagrant fouls where either nothing is called or a regular fould gets called, even after review, which means nothing).

Good point, Kpoint.

[plantmanky]

Whos talking to those refs in those headsets they wear? Think about it, games are influenced.

[moewan]

I've said for the past 30 years that the games are not totally on the up and up, not with the players and the teams, but with the league and the refs. The NFL wants specific matchups, for ratings and money, and they are not above using the officiating to put a finger on the scale. The Bengals will be playing two teams this weekend, the Bills, and the officiating crew.

[westofyou]

Whos talking to those refs in those headsets they wear? Think about it, games are influenced.

[goreds2]

Five extra points missed in six quarters of the playoffs?

[Wonderful Monds]

Well if you ask Jamarr Chase the thread title question, seems like his answer is “no” lol:

https://twitter.com/CharlieG__/statu...KNgFtF_FkguVXw

Ja'Marr Chase: "We were proving people wrong. The NFL was doing stuff to get the Bills to go to the Super Bowl. They’re trying to make it seem like we’re not ready. We’re here to prove it.”