In Steelers-Ravens Game, Officiating Robs Fans

Thanks to questionable replay interpretation by referee Walt Coleman and probably countless other officials in his ear, yesterday's match up between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens was just a good game instead of a great game.

We the fans were robbed of an exciting ending in a great game. Even if you hate both teams as I do, you still had to admire the grit and determination of two teams gearing up for the playoffs and the implications of every win and loss on home field advantage.

We were robbed of not just any ending but a real all out, suspend your disbelief moment frozen in time, childhood dream playground pick up game ending to decide the fate of all future legendary games and all of the struggles on mankind in general. OK, I'm exaggerating about the last part, but come on! We had the dream ending of a great grid iron match up right in front of us, only to have it snagged away by an uncaring, impartial head referee delivering a dull announcement explaining the play reversal and touchdown in a tone that would make any tax code author proud.

Way to go NFL. You have succeeded in training your little replay robots and sterilizing every little nuance the game ever evolved into and taking control away from the officials on the field and giving new meaning to the title "Rise of the Machines". We fans can rest easy knowing Big Brother is watching and ready to sterilize the game on "Any Given Sunday".

For all of you who believe you were robbed of a great game, here's how the game should have ended. Upon review, referee Walt Coleman and the unseen replay officials agree there is not enough conclusive video evidence to overturn the call already made on the field. Running back onto the field a confident referee Coleman proclaims in front of the Baltimore crowd and television viewing multitude, "After further review, there is not enough evidence to over turn the play. Therefore the ruling on the field stands, forth and goal, Pittsburgh."

Confident relief ensues on the Ravens bench but then quickly turns to chaos as they will likely need to call a timeout to properly prepare a defense for a forth down game winning touchdown try or a less likely game tying field goal attempt. Meanwhile, on the Steelers bench disappointment over the ruling is argued but to no avail. Coach Tomlin, knows they have to stay focused on winning this game. The Steelers quickly agree on a play and it is apparent to the Ravens that they will go for a win only inches away. The Steelers line up in a two tight end formation with only one wide out. As Roethlisberger sets up under center one of his tight ends go in motion to the right. It appears the Steelers will run power right and try to punch it in. But, before the snap takes place, the Ravens call timeout not liking the formation they see. The network cuts to a television timeout as the aura is heightened and viewers get to increase their excitement over what will happen in this great NFL game.

The ref's whistle blows, signifying resume in play. Both teams line up against one another. This time the Steelers spread the offensive formation with four wide outs, two on each side and Roethlisberger in the shotgun. The crowd is screaming defense as the ball snaps back in slow motion...

What happens next? Nothing, thanks to an improper NFL replay call, there is no forth and goal play to relive. You'll have to leave that to your imagination.