This might be a little broad, and I am not really one to think that the “NFL is scripted” type of guys, but the officiating this year across the league has been so bad. Do you think that has affected the Seahawks season tremendously?
I think the big game changing penalties which are subjective calls like DPI on 4th down extending a drive need levels of egregiousness.
Something like the Rams Saints no call DPI (ironically) should be an automatic first down spot of the foul, but something as ticky tacky as the Puka Nacua falling over should just be a small yardage penalty, replay the down.
And then the call should always default to the lesser penalty unless replays show egregious. This means all penalties err on the side of not interfering unless replays remove that benefit of the doubt. Therefore rather than calling a huge DPI on an uncatchable ball, it’s a minor penalty and then we see if that ball was catchable and then it can be upgraded.
We have had two straight games of some pretty bad officiating. I am not convinced of the whole “scripted” narrative for the same reason that I dont really believe in any big conspiracy theories: humans are really bad at keeping secrets and it would get out.
BUT i think the NFL has created such convoluted rules in an effort to improve the television product (roughing the passer, PI,etc) that it leaves a lot up to interpretation to be enforced, and refs are different each game, so it means they get enforced differently each game. As someone that watches 6-7 games a weekend, it is IMMENSELY frustrating to see pat mahomes get hit the same way as geno and the golden boy gets the flag, or whatever. unfortunately another thing that i cant control to get upset about
Refs have been all around terrible, but we’ve been bad. We’ve got so many other issues that blaming refs would be a cop out and disingenuous.