This is just dumb.
It could be rigged and not be anything like the scenarios you laid out. Refs and gambling buddies????? Really?????
The refs take their marching orders from the office of the NFL in NYC.
Why do you say the game started out legit? Do you even know the origins of the NFL? Sounds like you don't.
Pro football started with about 7 owners, rich owners, that wanted to bet on their teams as a sport. Circa late 1920's. (this (dates and numbers) is off the top of my head, been a long time since I read all this stuff). Not so legit stuff.
You said: "So before a game the refs get together and try to do all thy can to get the winner and the betting line covered, right? Make sure the Steelers cover that 5.5.....right?"
Why couldn't it just be 1 or 2 refs with instructions from NY? Just asking here. And instructions would be control the momentum of the game . . . that's all, doesn't have to include the over/under or spread. Just relaying a much different and easier to control scenario.
Dallas failed to cover the spread the first 7 games this year.
Despite your sarcasm refs fixing games is well publicized in the NBA. Obviously there is no "proof" in the NFL. Actual proof would be hard to attain short of written document drop from the NFL offices or several refs spilling the beans. But one only has to look at a grouping of games, not just the Dallas only games, and see that momentum can be managed. Sure Dallas and LV had an equal number of penalties but the Dallas penalties were much more damaging . . . all of them. I have no proof. I'm not a hysterical fan. I make no claims other than look at what I see regularly and draw my own thoughts out. I keep an open mind. But Grandpa always said "don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining"!
I will turn the tables and say to you : Can you prove there is no outside interference or even a prejudice against certain teams/owners? Are you positive the world is pure and faultless and what you see portrays that? Do you feel that over the course of a season all the refereeing equals out for each team? Can you prove it. (It's not just a numbers thing but when, how, and what scenario calls are made in.)
Now, I took the time to respond with possibilities. I don't care who considers them. Flat Earthers are everywhere even though there's tons of clues (without looking at a satellite image) to at least consider that the Earth is round.
Dumb is thinking the origins of the NFL started because of gambling, take a few minutes and bone up on what really happened . Football history buff here my man, and it goes back before the NFL.
Dude, was talking about others talking about..."their gambling buddies"....assumed that was obvious.
Stop with this...well the NBA....ok? This is the NFL with far more people involved, far bigger.
You really believe anyone actually cares about what teams do anything, really? Ah....why? So it's...get those Raiders.....get those Cowboys.....get those Patriots,...three of the most iconic franchises in the NFL.
There are no clues of any kind that anyone is fixing games, rigging games or treating any teams differently, not one name, there is nothing.
Common sense my man.....the NFL is being rigged, think about that. Do you honestly believe that could be kept a secret all this time, hell no it couldn't.
The NFL is a great game full of amazing athletes, the best in the world so I suggest ya enjoy the action, enjoy this great game and dump this silly.......all rigged,...speaking of dumb, there it is.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ rules, the NFL gets that $$$$$$$$$$$$ from the TV deals, trust me all that dries up if anyone had a reason to investigate is the game legit. Nobody is stupid enough to mess with this sport, simply too big.
