Study on referee bias

[theogt]

This article gives some pretty damning evidence of one type of referee bias. While I guess the evidence presented here should be expected to some extent, the degree to which the bias is obvious as presented is alarming.

So just remember this next time you think someone is being a crazy conspiracy theorist when complaining about the refs after a game.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/feature...ecause-it-freakin-works/?ex_cid=story-twitter

 

[phildadon86]

Can I like this more than once?

 

[DallasEast]

For three common penalties, the direction of the play — that is, whether it’s run toward the offensive or defensive team’s sideline — makes a significant difference. In other words, refs make more defensive pass interference calls on the offensive team’s sideline but more offensive holding calls on the defensive team’s sideline. What’s more, these differences aren’t uniform across the field — the effect only shows up on plays run, roughly, between the 32-yard lines, the same space where coaches and players are allowed to stand during play.

whoa. I bet this coincides with every level of football. There have been a number of high school and college games that I've attended where there seemed to me a slight uptick in the amount of flags being thrown when plays happen in that region of the field.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Meh. As the article itself suggests, this is a reflection on human nature more than an indictment of NFL refereeing.

In any case, it's the sort of thing smart (and educated) OCs can compensate for by running more crucial plays toward their own sideline.

 

[Lutonio]

I like the section on crowd noise. Home field advantage is the real deal, and it's huge Green Bay has to come to Dallas this weekend.

 

[Doomsay]

Great article.

It's interesting that the effective yelling / hat throwing coach example that they reference (Dallas - Detroit playoff game) seemingly had less to do with the coach and more with the engaged players. I've always felt that Jason was far too passive on the sidelines to garner fear/respect from the refs and I think it hurts the team.

 

[theogt]

this is a reflection on human nature more than an indictment of NFL refereeing.

Well, yeah, the point of the article is that human nature results in bias in officiating. It's nice to assume people can be impartial, but it's essentially not possible. At a minimum, this is hugely persuasive that penalties should be reviewable.

 

[mahoneybill]

May be unpopular but I for one support coaches being able to challenge these calls with the loss of TO still a factor.....

 

[SultanOfSix]

Of course there is bias, but it's hilarious that the two prime video examples given were against the Patriots, protagonists of Spygate, and because they do the same thing and receive the same treatment, probably more than any other team.

 

[jazzcat22]

How about an article on the biased NFL front office......

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Well, yeah, the point of the article is that human nature results in bias in officiating. It's nice to assume people can be impartial, but it's essentially not possible. At a minimum, this is hugely persuasive that penalties should be reviewable.

For sure.

 

[Little Jr]

I figure if we have the biggest fan base and most of the players in the nfl grew up cowboy fans, probably goes with the refs too. Just like the nfl is out to get us conspiracy theories, the refs being against us is just as silly. Nfl wanting to hurt us makes no sense and statically speaking there are probably more refs who are cowboy fans than any other team.

 

[tyke1doe]

Well, yeah, the point of the article is that human nature results in bias in officiating. It's nice to assume people can be impartial, but it's essentially not possible. At a minimum, this is hugely persuasive that penalties should be reviewable.

There's a difference between bias and intentionality.
Many posters here think the refs have it out for the Cowboys. I disagree.
But bias isn't necessarily intentional and is often subjective. Some people's bias come from knowing the rules, other's from not knowing the rules.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Interesting article but it's apples-to-oranges in terms of what folks claim on here every Sunday in terms of agenda driven refereeing and corroborating conspiracy to do-in the Cowboys.

 

[Doomsay]

It would be interesting to see the raw data, to see which teams' sideline presence has the greatest influence on calls. I would think that we would be at the bottom of the list, but maybe not.

 

[gimmesix]

I figure if we have the biggest fan base and most of the players in the nfl grew up cowboy fans, probably goes with the refs too. Just like the nfl is out to get us conspiracy theories, the refs being against us is just as silly. Nfl wanting to hurt us makes no sense and statically speaking there are probably more refs who are cowboy fans than any other team.

I don't think they are against us, but I do think there are games where we end up with more bad calls against us than the other team. Now, I think that's simply bad officiating that ends up hurting us in crucial situations.

However, this year there also were several games where we could have been hurt by a good call, such as defensive holding, and it did not come. So it balances out to some extent, although we tend to remember the games where the officiating hurts us more than those where it helps us.

 

[jchap]

So all outside run plays and deep sideline shots should go towards our sideline.

 

[Nightman]

So run all deep throws and runs between the 30s towards our bench

And JG has to argue a lot more

I have also noted that the replay operator has to be really quick, especially against GB.....teams wait around to see if they should challenge and get caught with 12 men on the field or not in position......the HFA can also influence challenges by the refs...... they hear the boos

 

[tyke1doe]

So run all deep throws and runs between the 30s towards our bench

And JG has to argue a lot more

I have also noted that the replay operator has to be really quick, especially against GB.....teams wait around to see if they should challenge and get caught with 12 men on the field or not in position......the HFA can also influence challenges by the refs...... they hear the boos

I do believe home teams get the benefit of the doubt. I wouldn't say this is intentional, but environment plays a part in our decision-making, and I believe subtle biases manifest themselves in this area.

 

[Nightman]

I do believe home teams get the benefit of the doubt. I wouldn't say this is intentional, but environment plays a part in our decision-making, and I believe subtle biases manifest themselves in this area.

There were 3 close calls with DET @ SEA last week and all 3 went against DET....in Seattle

I saw the same thing Week 17 with ARI @ SEA ....they won 3 or 4 straight challenges....just one or two can change the whole game