Getty Image
With the New England Patriots mounting a tremendous comeback to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 24 to 20 to win the AFC Championship for the 10th time, the conspiracy theories have been flowing fast and furious. Apparently going to the Super Bowl for the third in four years will do that. That, and you know, being the Patriots.
Anyway, just like Saints fans after their losses to the Vikings and Falcons, people all over the internet are espousing numerous conspiracy theories that the NFL is rigged to help the Patriots make their 10th Super Bowl appearance since 1985.
Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack is one among the many that believe he got hosed on a forced fumble not being called that should have resulted in a Jags touchdown, among other things, during the AFC title game.
After the game, Jack “liked” a tweet by Oakland Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin posted where he was joking (I think) about the referees working for New England.
First guy to congratulate Brady? Number 34. What a teammate! pic.twitter.com/azXq3qgN43
— CSU Rams Basketball Szn (@OurStateCSU) January 21, 2018
That’s that meet me in the locker room for the payment tap 😂😂😂😂🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/6mjTzm8QJS
— Bruce Irvin (@BIrvin_WVU11) January 21, 2018
lol pic.twitter.com/MwPelQLrdg
— Hanson Wang (@hansondwang) January 22, 2018
After the game, when told of the penalty discrepancy between Jacksonville and New England Jack just said, “Interesting. My thoughts on that is … yeah, that’s kind of self-explanatory. I didn’t know that.”
The Patriots were called for 1 penalty against the Jaguars
It is the fewest penalties called on one team in a playoff game since the 2011 AFC Championship… when the Patriots were called for 1 penalty in a win over the Ravens
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) January 21, 2018
Jack and Irvin were just the tip of the NFL conspiracy iceberg though, because, like I said… Patriots.
Patriots down by 2 scores at halftime? Refs will fix you up don’t worry
— Cole (@ColeDaddy9) January 21, 2018
This coverage was so dominant that they basically threw a pity flag for Cooks. Crushed off the field pic.twitter.com/SC3PbW3hco
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) January 21, 2018
LMAO! @NFL doesn't even TRY to hide that shit! pic.twitter.com/fUHnYURpOu
— Respecting Decisions Bandwagon (@Sharkonwheels) January 21, 2018
Did the refs really just call like 50 yards of penalties on the #Jaguars to give the #Patriots a touchdown to close out the first half? And you wonder why people are suspicious…
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) January 21, 2018
Ok, let's do the math on penalties:
Last five Patriots games:
Patriots: 2-4, 2-10, 4-49, 4-37, 1-10
Opponents: 6-63, 4-83, 9-84, 10-62, 6-989-110 (12.2 per flag)
29-390 (13.4 per flag)NE once in last 5 games held less than a 2-1 penalty yd advantage. Nearly 3-1 in yds
— Neal Coolong (@NealCoolong) January 21, 2018
NFL Referees be like
Penalty on the Jaguars for being too many points in front of the Patriots before halftime pic.twitter.com/sojhWYl7wq
— William Butcher (@WillyJButcher) January 21, 2018
Zero penalties on the Patriots offense and defense today, by the way.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) January 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/BasedChasen/status/955188417637199872
Congrats to the @Patriots and the referees on their #AFCChampionship win over the @Jaguars It was a closer on than expected. #GoRefs
— Toby Flenderson (@ToFlenderson) January 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/RealJonBeech/status/955214287412256769
The Patriots and Tom Brady are amazing, but when you get 88 more yards than your opponent in penalties, and the refs take away a touchdown from your opponents by incorrectly calling a player down after they recovered a fumble, it is REALLY tough to lose. #JAXvsNE #AFCChampionship
— John Ziegler (@Zigmanfreud) January 21, 2018
NFL Referees watching the game and seeing their colleagues making calls for the Patriots pic.twitter.com/3sZMI5K2M4
— Shai Gilgreatness-Alexander (@Jhickness9) January 21, 2018
Dear @Patriots and their fans, I have a fun game for us to play. How many penalties can you spot in this single pic? pic.twitter.com/FLSX4kWj7Q
— Jonny Holmes Jr. (@Jaytheshootr) January 21, 2018
I'm drafting the Patriots referees in the first round of my fantasy draft next year. Unstoppable
— Sean (@sean__sanders) January 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/PatriotsRefs/status/955244656593440768
“Bill Belichick speaking to his Star Defensive Back”#JAXvsNE #AFCChampionship #JaguarsvsPatriots #Jaguars #PatriotsNation pic.twitter.com/QSKuDQWBbr
— Sterling Bennett (@49ers_Access) January 21, 2018
Love it.