It wasn’t that the Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Arizona Cardinals. It wasn’t watching the team’s playoff aspirations all but twirl down the toilet. It was how.
The human element is the most compelling aspect of sports. Error, or at least the threat of it, is the main ingredient of drama.
However, none of that applies to officiating. Or rather, it shouldn’t.
Every time a team loses, a slab of its fanbase is bound to blame the referees. Justified or not, it’s inevitable.
But while yellow flags will garner most of this week’s headlines, last Sunday also raised its share of red ones.
Statistics provided by Pro Football Focus (subscription required).