I may be the only person who would like to return to football the way it used to be played -- the play is called by the ref and that call stands. Period!! Yes, there were mistakes made -- obviously -- BUT this is life -- Why must we over examine everything? In the end there is still a disagreement!! What have we gained by all of this? It takes away the fun and excitement of the game as it was once played!
2
Kinda sad I won't get to see Chris Christie in Jerry Jones' booth next week in Seattle. He's pretty funny looking.
2
I'm not surprised that the FOX announce crew overlooked it, but I am surprised no one else has brought this up:
The referee, Gene Steratore, made what could have been a potentially huge administrative mistake with the clock, after he ruled Bryant's reception incomplete on replay.
29 seconds ticked off the clock between the incompletion and Green Bay's challenge. Replay also calls for the clock to be adjusted, if the call on the field is overturned. In the end, it proved immaterial to the outcome because Rodgers completed his final pass for a first down on 3rd and long, and the Packers ran out the clock. But that extra time *could* have forced GB to run one more play before the two-minute warning (it was very close) if that time had been correctly put back on, and in a different situation, it could have mattered. I have seen the NFL frown on officials' administrative mistakes before. We'll see if this one even gets noted later.
The referee, Gene Steratore, made what could have been a potentially huge administrative mistake with the clock, after he ruled Bryant's reception incomplete on replay.
29 seconds ticked off the clock between the incompletion and Green Bay's challenge. Replay also calls for the clock to be adjusted, if the call on the field is overturned. In the end, it proved immaterial to the outcome because Rodgers completed his final pass for a first down on 3rd and long, and the Packers ran out the clock. But that extra time *could* have forced GB to run one more play before the two-minute warning (it was very close) if that time had been correctly put back on, and in a different situation, it could have mattered. I have seen the NFL frown on officials' administrative mistakes before. We'll see if this one even gets noted later.
1
Interesting - Fox Sports covers the game. No shots of Jerry Jones & Christie throughout the game. I (and I'm sure others) wanted to see the reaction of those two during the game. Well played entertaining game.
2
You just saw true greatness in the form of Aaron Rodgers--for two weeks, may I add--and all you can talk about is a near-catch catch overruled. Wow.
3
Under no circumstances does a governor of the state in which the Giants play go and root for Dallas, ever.
4
It was a pleasure to watch the greatest quarterback in the NFL today overcome extreme adversity and still excel. I don't think he will be as successful next week but I love watching him.
4
Well, who can blame the Cowboy coaches, players and fans for thinking that the rules don't apply to them. Last week we saw the Cowboys get away with defensive holding, pass interference and having a player run out onto the field without a helmet to protest a call, all without a flag being thrown. Now with the rules being fairly applied the Cowboys are falling over themselves, knashing their teeth and wringing their hands at the unfairness of the NFL for actually enforcing a rule that doesn't benefit Dallas.
3
For all the crybabies, the game would not have been over even if they ruled it a catch. The Pack were moving and would have only needed a score to win with plenty of time to do it. Go Pack Go!
2
be glad you had a chance to see a hall of famer to be with great class in Aaron Rodgers..
ref calls are part of the game for all.......
enjoy the excellence of leadership in this venue that our government should envy...courage and class
ref calls are part of the game for all.......
enjoy the excellence of leadership in this venue that our government should envy...courage and class
7
If it wasn't a close game no one would care about the catch?
3
Bryant made the catch and the ball never touched the ground. truly amazing that the catch was not allowed.
and equally puzzling was the interference call that was over turned last week which probably cost DET the game.
you would think that playoff games would have better officiating.
and equally puzzling was the interference call that was over turned last week which probably cost DET the game.
you would think that playoff games would have better officiating.
1
You obviously didn't see the replay of the catch. It was the right call (I'm not a packers fan).
I agree that the DET call may have cost them the game, but the only way you can believe that the Dez ball never touched the ground is if your only access to the game was the Cowboys radio network. Everyone else who had access to the pictures can see the ball touched the ground. Was it fair? Perhaps not. Did it cost the Boys the game? Perhaps. But it happened. I agree with your further comment on officiating. They should use the best ref squads from the season instead of these "all-star teams" of refs who have not worked together all year.
If playoff games had better officiating, Dallas wouldn't have been playing.
2
It seems everyone agrees that A) the ball was caught, B) the receiver took three steps, C) then reached out as he was falling, D) as the receiver hit the ground, the ball popped lose and also hit the ground for a fraction of a second before E) the receiver regained control.
If you think that A and B was a separate sequence of events that established themselves before the sequence of C, D and E occurred, then it was a completion and Dallas was robbed.
If you think that A, B, C, D, and E were one sequence of events, then it was an incomplete pass (ground can play a role here, as no control was established before contact, whereas in a fumble, control has been established).
I believe that this was a completion and that Dallas was robbed.
However, only one thing in football involving the Dallas Cowboys gives me greater glee than watching Dallas get robbed, and that is watching them get trounced. All in all, not a good day for NY football, as we are not there ... but not a bad one either. :)
If you think that A and B was a separate sequence of events that established themselves before the sequence of C, D and E occurred, then it was a completion and Dallas was robbed.
If you think that A, B, C, D, and E were one sequence of events, then it was an incomplete pass (ground can play a role here, as no control was established before contact, whereas in a fumble, control has been established).
I believe that this was a completion and that Dallas was robbed.
However, only one thing in football involving the Dallas Cowboys gives me greater glee than watching Dallas get robbed, and that is watching them get trounced. All in all, not a good day for NY football, as we are not there ... but not a bad one either. :)
10
The officials have made it very clear that your A D C D and E are all the same play--why are you seperating them here? of course it is the same play! is it....two plays?
Cue all the self-righteous complaints from Cowboys fans, lifelong or temporary, who swear they are through with the NFL and mean it. At least until kickoff next Sunday.
4
It was a catch, contact followed, and that's why the ball was placed on the 1 foot line. But the game turned right before the half -- Cows had momentum, Romo changes a 3rd and 1 run to a pass, incomplete, field goal fails, GB kicks field goal -- game changed. Second half - Murray fumbles on a certain TD Play, Bryant's catch is ruled not a catch, Cows Defensive Coaches allow Rodgers plenty of time in 2nd half -- Cows hoisted on their own petard.
6
As a couple of commenters have noted:
Live by the sword (against Detroit), die by the sword (against Green Bay).
Anyway doesn't God hate the Cowboys?
Live by the sword (against Detroit), die by the sword (against Green Bay).
Anyway doesn't God hate the Cowboys?
8
Once again, evil is vanquished and the balance to the natural order of the universe has been restored.
29
Jerry Jones is pure evil. He should never have been allowed to breathe the same air as Tom Landry, much less ever been in a position to fire him. As someone who was born and grew up in Dallas living and breathing the Cowboys I had to give them up when Jones acquired the team. Now, my favorite team is the one that beats them. There has never been a bigger Packer fan than I was yesterday.
3
It's time for sports reporters, also sports columnists to stop sticking pins in their Tony Romo voodoo doll by writing that "he will continue to be dogged by talk of his inability to reach the Super Bowl." Okay ... so he hasn't yet, and he's not getting any younger.
But in today's exciting match between two of the greatest NFL franchises, we got to watch two athletically-gifted, smart, highly professional, and impressive professional quarterbacks and athletes in Tony Romo and Aaron Rodgers. They are two high class, five-star gentlemen and professional athletes. And so are the players on both teams. The Cowboys and the Packers on balance continually perform on the football field as play-clean, play-hard, determined, and impressive athletes.
In this old fellow's opinion, they will always be two of the finest teams in the NFL.
But in today's exciting match between two of the greatest NFL franchises, we got to watch two athletically-gifted, smart, highly professional, and impressive professional quarterbacks and athletes in Tony Romo and Aaron Rodgers. They are two high class, five-star gentlemen and professional athletes. And so are the players on both teams. The Cowboys and the Packers on balance continually perform on the football field as play-clean, play-hard, determined, and impressive athletes.
In this old fellow's opinion, they will always be two of the finest teams in the NFL.
12
Frame-by-frame you replay that and it is ABSOLUTELY CLEAR he has total possession of the ball as he controls it, makes at least two steps evading the defender and stretches his left arm (with the ball FIRMLY GRIPPED in the left hand) as he reaches for goal line practically placing the ball on the one foot line: PLAY OVER. COMPLETE PASS. Dallas ball on the one foot line. WHY does FOX & the NFL have to mutually reinforce their complete misreading & misunderstanding of the intent of the rule. And what happened to "THE RULING ON THE FIELD STANDS UNLESS THEIR IS INDISPUTABLE EVIDENCE TO OVERTURN IT." NFL SHOULD CUT ROGER GOODELL'S RIDICULOUS SALARY AND HIRE SOME PROFESSIONALS in the REPLAY BOOTH. Totally turns me off to the NFL.
3
The NFL is not sport. It is sport entertainment. It is art with a storyline that combines steroids, athletics and theatrical performance. You have to love those over the top war dances after a play. The NFL follows a script with flavor of the season teams. The on field action is breathlessly rehashed by former players and bobblehead coaches. Referees gently nudge market building teems into post season and beyond with momentum shifting penalties and rule bending calls. If watching the game is frustrating or chafing, the latest NFL innovation should interest all as we no longer need to watch as there is Fantasy Football. What an apt name.
3
1) N. Suh From the Lions should be suspended from football for one season for deliberately stepping on Aaron Rodgers' calf.
Twice.
After the whistle.
The effect of that action had a huge impact on the Packers-Cowboys game.
2) Five bucks says Rodgers took a needle at halftime.
Twice.
After the whistle.
The effect of that action had a huge impact on the Packers-Cowboys game.
2) Five bucks says Rodgers took a needle at halftime.
6
At least it will not be Romo against Brady in the S bowl. As an eagles fan, I concur it was indeed a good day
7
Lucky we have painfully annoying instant replant review for the refs.
1
Green Bay vs Seahawks is the right matchup - the two best teams in the NFC. Tt is unfortunate that Aaron Rodgers will not be able to play at full strength. It will be difficult for any team to overcome the juggernaut that is the Seattle team. But a less than 100% Rodgers will make it extremely difficult.
I understand that injuries are a part of football and good teams should have enough depth to deal with injuries. But the Cardinals playing with a 3 string quarterback against the Seahawks and now Green Bay playing with a gimpy Aaron Rodgers really makes the games less interesting.
Moree than likely we will see the Patriots against the Seahawks - another ho hum Super Bowl.
I understand that injuries are a part of football and good teams should have enough depth to deal with injuries. But the Cardinals playing with a 3 string quarterback against the Seahawks and now Green Bay playing with a gimpy Aaron Rodgers really makes the games less interesting.
Moree than likely we will see the Patriots against the Seahawks - another ho hum Super Bowl.
1
Mercurial? Dez Bryant? So last season. Two words: contract year.
What a gutsy game from Rogers. Congratulations Packers.
22
He had all day in the 2nd half -- wouldn't call it gutsy, but fortunate that Cows Defensive Coaches changed strategy. Now Romo ... he was gutsy. Hounded and hit all day.
He caught the ball, moved toward the goal line with the ball in his possession, and it wasn't a catch? Who do you believe, what you're bring told or your lying eyes?
4
Packers are in with a little help from Jay Cutler.
1
Guess all the hub bub over Christie and his sweater being a good luck charm were all lies .... lies I tells ya. Sit down and shut up .... and suffer.
12
Well, Christie has 6 days to make Robert Kraft his BFF and a free ride to Boston.
12
Governor Bridgegate now might have to stay in Jersey, buy his own nachos, and worry that Jerry Jones doesn't need him anymore. Then, he'll have to start acting as though he just loves the Giants, Jets, or Eagles.
11
Word is out he's already called Kraft and offered his unconditional love for the Pats.
Kraft refused to take the call!
Kraft refused to take the call!
8
Christie is twice a looser: Cowboys loose and many Wisconsin voters will remember.......Packer allegiance is thicker than politics.
2
We have the technological means to monitor every player during every moment of the game. We also, obviously, have the manpower. So why not do it? Why not keep track of EVERY infraction of the rules? (The New NFL/NSA.)
I'm in favor of scaling back the video reviews and the challenges. Let them play. Let the calls stand unless they can be overruled in real-time replays -- never slow them down to nano-seconds. This isn't how life is lived. It shouldn't be how the game is played.
Of course it was a catch. It was the stuff of greatness. And fool could see that, even this one (and I'm not a Cowboys fan).
I'm in favor of scaling back the video reviews and the challenges. Let them play. Let the calls stand unless they can be overruled in real-time replays -- never slow them down to nano-seconds. This isn't how life is lived. It shouldn't be how the game is played.
Of course it was a catch. It was the stuff of greatness. And fool could see that, even this one (and I'm not a Cowboys fan).
6
It is always fun to see how people write up a game you saw. Belson had three storylines: Aaron Rodgers playing hurt and rising to victory. Yes, but if you were watching, Rodgers made an amazing play for a touchdown because of his mobility. Romo failed again. I didn't see that. I saw him play a good game but his team lose. It was fitting that the refs played a role in the Dallas loss after the blown call by the refs against Detroit. The refs and replay almost always play a role in close games anymore, and there is a difference between losing because of a correct call and losing any chance of winning because of a blown call.
14
Good thing Chris Christie was there to console his new Best Bud, Jerry Jones, with another man-sized hug!
But what will he (ie Christie have to do now? Actually come back to NJ to do the job that taxpayers are paying him for?
But what will he (ie Christie have to do now? Actually come back to NJ to do the job that taxpayers are paying him for?
27
The best outcome is that Christie can now focus on governing in New Jersey (instead of continuing to travel to Cowboys games!)
35
I thought New Jerseyans might rather have viewed it as a blessing that Christie was AWOL and therefore unable to do any more damage to the homeland.
9
Look at the bright side. When he is out of state the incidents of one lane bridge traffic decline. To bad the Cowboys don't play all year.
1
Considering how badly he's governed NJ, you should hope that he moves to Dallas permanently.
1
Our desire for absolute perfection is ruining the games we love and taking the focus away from the players and placing on officials and unseen viewers of replays. On any planet in the universe Dez Bryant made a catch...he possessed the ball, came down with the ball and at no time did it touch the ground. How on earth can he "make a football move" in mid air? He's not Michael Jordan. The NFL with it's bizarre interpretations is parsing language/action to a point where no play is final, no call is safe and in effect, replay has made the officials worse rather than better. Get it out of the game.
16
Excuse me, but the only way the call could have been reversed is if the ball had hit the ground at some point. In this play, Bryant clearly had control of the ball until he tried to stretch his left hand, and the ball, toward the goal line. At that point, the ball hit the turf and bounced in the air.
Thus, no catch. Rules is rules.
Thus, no catch. Rules is rules.
8
I don't know if I agree with that particular situation, but I do agree more generally with the observation about the NFL's officials interpretations and standards as often being bizarre. This shows up for me most often in their interpretations of defensive pass interference, in which, to quote the biblical phrase, they strain gnat and swallow a camel. The most astounding and flagrant things are commonly allowed.
1
Yeah, I can't get over all this Dallas-fan-crybaby-rationalizing. If a receiver is *going to the ground* in the process of making a catch, and the ground jars the ball loose, it's an incomplete pass. Period. That is the rule, and it happens every weekend in every game in the league. Why do Dallas fans feel the rule should have been changed for Bryant?
9
At the risk of sounding puerile, I have to say that Aaron Rodgers is the best looking quarterback playing today!!
4
Agreed, because watching Peyton Manning right now, he looks positively ordinary or worse.
2
Bryant's catch was stolen from him by the officials; too bad the Cowboys had the game taken from them by bad officiating rather than actual football play. Not that it matters other than to me, but I am now done with Green Bay; they should be done with their season at this moment and I hope that they will be soundly beaten in their next game.
3
The officials giveth, the officials taketh away.
I'll bet you weren't whining about the officiating last week!
I'll bet you weren't whining about the officiating last week!
6
On the other hand, Dallas shouldn't even have been in the game at all, but for a bad call last week.
15
That really depends on whether the NFL and the networks want to see Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers in the Super Bowl.
1
After seeing the Patriots use a hole in the rules to deny the Ravens the basic right to know who the eligible receivers are in time to get lined up, to the rule that says "down by contact" can't cause a fumble but can cause an incompletion, I've had enough. It is impossible to be emotionally invested in an NFL game, only to have deception or a very bad rule ruin the competition between the men on the field.
One of the great clutch plays of this or any post-season is erased because a very bad rule says so.
Outright deception - a normally eligible player declaring himself ineligible at the last second - what's the matter, Pats. can't beat 'em straight up?
I'm as disgusted as I've ever been with the state of the NFL, and I am beginning to wonder why I continue to care at all.
One of the great clutch plays of this or any post-season is erased because a very bad rule says so.
Outright deception - a normally eligible player declaring himself ineligible at the last second - what's the matter, Pats. can't beat 'em straight up?
I'm as disgusted as I've ever been with the state of the NFL, and I am beginning to wonder why I continue to care at all.
13
If the Baltimore defense can't read offensive setups, that's their own fault, not "a hole in the rules."
12
Dont you get it? There was NO WAY the NFL was going to allow the Baltimore Ravens get to the Super Bowl, lest they might win it and embarrass the league.
2
Some people are so desperate to believe that the universe is a logical place, where every effect has a direct cause, that they endorse ridiculous conspiracy theories, rather than accept the unfortunate truth: the universe is messy, people under pressure make faulty decisions, different people with different interests will interpret incomplete data in different ways, etc.
8
I wonder if gov Soprano have another private jet freebie hauling him to Green Bay? JJ must be in tears now....but gov Soprano will sure give him a big hug to comfort him!
15
The refs helped Dallas aginst Detroit, then made a crucial call against the Cowboys today. Somehow it seems to equalize.
34
Even IF they had called it a catch, this hardly would have decided this game--as Rodgers and the Packers offense were hot in this final quarter--and could easily have marched down the field for a FG--(29-28--or if the Cowbys had went for 2 and gotten it 29-29) and won anyway.
So to assume this play decided the game is wrong and makes a fine playoff game (one of the best ever) into an unneccessary controversy. This was no catch.