re: For those that honestly believe this is a conspiracy

quote:

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Up to that point in that play, why wasn't the narrative talking about how bad the refs were against the Saints?

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Because up until that point, outside of a very timely 1st and only holding call of the game, everything was explained by "playoff officiating" and "letting them play".

And the game was a 3 point contest going into the 4th. Or, more to the point, a 1 score game. Striking distance for any calls that need to be made, and means the Rams are not out of it in any sense. 4th quarter is when you get the officials starting to stretch the way they are calling the game. Saints drive to the ~40 and the 2nd blatant dPI by #23 goes ignored on 3rd and 7. Punt. Saints get the ball back around the 45, close to scoring range, immediate holding call on first down after ignoring the lines all game. Rams fail on 3rd down again, but oh wait, nevermind, they "called timeout" and then go down and tie the game. Saints hit the big play to Ginn, will end the game with a first down, so you get the no call everyone is talking about now.

All of that is done to keep it a one score game for the Rams and give them the opportunity. They couldn't stop the Rams from giving up the bomb to Ginn, but they could make sure they got the ball back only down 3 at worst with over a minute on the clock. And they did. Same with how they couldn't make sure Z made the kick, and I think if he misses it that would have been it, no made up penalty after the fact. But they made damn sure they had the opportunity to tie or win the game in regulation by ensuring the Saints didn't put it away.