Throughout the history of the National Football League (NFL), there have been several moments that fans and analysts alike have deemed “rigged” or unjustly officiated. These controversial instances often spark intense debate about the integrity of the game. One of the most infamous moments came during the 1978 “Immaculate Reception” game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders.
In this AFC Divisional playoff game, a deflected pass caught by Steelers’ Franco Harris, which led to a touchdown, was heavily scrutinized. Many believed that Harris’s catch was illegal due to the ball touching the ground and that the officials ignored the rules to favor the Steelers, who went on to win the Super Bowl that year.
Another notable example is the “Tuck Rule” game from the 2001 AFC Divisional playoff between the Oakland Raiders and the New England Patriots. With the Patriots trailing by three points late in the fourth quarter, a crucial play involved quarterback Tom Brady’s fumble being ruled an incomplete pass due to the rarely used “tuck rule.” This controversial decision allowed the Patriots to extend their drive, tie the game, and eventually win in overtime. Critics argue that this call was a pivotal moment that shifted the game’s outcome in favor of the Patriots, who would go on to win the Super Bowl.
In addition, the 2018 NFC Championship Game between the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams featured a glaring missed pass interference call by the referees. The Saints were leading and driving for a potential game-winning touchdown when Rams’ cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman blatantly interfered with Saints’ receiver Tommylee Lewis without a penalty being called. This oversight led to a significant outcry from fans and players, as the missed call was seen as a direct cause of the Saints’ failure to advance to the Super Bowl.
These moments highlight how subjective officiating can be in the NFL, often leading to accusations of favoritism or rigged outcomes. While the NFL has since implemented more review processes to address such issues, these incidents remain vivid examples of how officiating controversies can shape the narrative of the league’s history.
