The NFL beat the Baltimore Ravens, not the Falcons

After last Thursday's loss to the Falcons, the Baltimore Ravens have a lot to be upset about. Its been the same old tune for the Baltimore Ravens for the past 5 years. Close games decided by one or two questionable calls by the officials. Usually it costs the Ravens a win.

This game was no exception.

But Thursday night was probably the icing on the cake. Fans of Baltimore have every right to be upset. The first questionable call was one that could have went either way. Suggs face mask was clearly being grabbed. But in defense of the officials, Suggs was also grabbing a face mask as well. You hope that the officials can catch that, but mistakes happen.

But with less than a minute left to go in the game, when the Atlanta Falcons were setting themselves up for what would appear to be a last second field goal attempt, the unthinkable happened. Matt Ryan faded to the left and delivered a floating pass right into the hands of a seemingly open Roddy White for the game winning touchdown. Josh Wilson, the cornerback on assignment, was visibly irate over the catch and even more upset that no flag was thrown on the play.

Why?

After looking at the replay, you can clearly see Roddy White lay a vicious stiff arm on Josh Wilson way beyond the five yard limit and knock Wilson on the ground. What makes it even worst is the presence of an official no less than a few yards away from contact.

This is INEXCUSABLE.

Media, especially in the city of Baltimore, tend to get a bad reputation when it comes to siding with the league when it comes to things concerning the Baltimore Ravens. And this journalist will be the first to admit that a good percentage of the fans in Baltimore, more so the vocal ones, express to the media that the Ravens aren't treated fairly. They seem to think the league is out to get the Ravens for whatever reason. The opinion of the fan warrants the attention of the media, because the role of both are intertwined. But the notion that the league wants one team to win over the other is more conspiracy than fact. Although one can admit that the Ravens have received more questionable two minute drive penalties than any team in the leaugue over the past 5 years. This has more to do with the style of play the ravens adhere themselves to, than the officials themselves. The Ravens, especially in years past, relied on the defense to close the game out in the final minutes. While this formula usually works well for the team, it also forces the outcome of the game in the hands of the officials. Teams like the Patriots and Colts usually don't have to worry about calls like this because their offense usually have the games won for them before the 2-minute warning.

But make no mistake about it....

The Ravens style of play should not in any way shape or form change because the officials are unable to do their jobs. This should be clear.

Which brings us back to the original problem.

The NFL has to fix this.

The solution is quite simple. Give officials the ability to review fouls in the final 2 minutes of each half. The reason why ideas like this have been thrown away is because the league wants the officials to officiate. Most ideas stem around the idea that penalties should be able to be challenged. The notion that the official, within the final 2 minutes of the game, has the ability to review a given play to decide whether or not the game is being played within the rules of the NFL is not far fetched. Nor should it be. The fans, players, and coaches want to see a fair game played on Sundays.

Why does it seem like the league doesn't?