It has been my observation that the networks (CBS, FOX, NBC) have been noticeably hesitant to criticize these substitute NFL refs. I think these substitute refs have made some pretty questionable calls that would normally be scrutinized by the TV announcers.

Instead, I've seen Joe Flacco called out for saying that these temp refs are affecting the integrity of the game. And NBC put Flacco in a bad light for saying this.

So am I imagining that the NFL has a mafia-like stronghold on the networks right now?

BobbyGBear;841952085 said:

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It has been my observation that the networks (CBS, FOX, NBC) have been noticeably hesitant to criticize these substitute NFL refs. I think these substitute refs have made some pretty questionable calls that would normally be scrutinized by the TV announcers.

Instead, I've seen Joe Flacco called out for saying that these temp refs are affecting the integrity of the game. And NBC put Flacco in a bad light for saying this.

So am I imagining that the NFL has a mafia-like stronghold on the networks right now?

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Troy Aikman was going after them during the 49ers-Packers game.

I've seen other instances. Plus, Mike Pereira, the former head of NFL refs who now works for Fox, has been bitching non-stop about the reffing on his Twitter account.

https://twitter.com/MikePereira

The Flacco thing is different, though, because everybody hates him, especially in the media, after saying he was awesome during the offseason and failing to come up short today (thanks to Mychal Kendricks). So by criticizing refs, he comes across as whiny.

Here's the Fox video on bad reffering.