Report: NFL Execs Believe Officiating Prevented the Lions from Making the Playoffs

It's common for fans to blame the referees when their favorite team doesn't win a big game, but sometimes the blame is warranted. Now, a handful of NFL executives, reportedly, are saying the Lions got screwed out of a playoff run. My eyes popped out when I saw this news, because it's rare when the NFL comments on something like this.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, those NFL execs believe the officiating in Seattle's Week 18 win over the Los Angeles Rams was a big part of why the Lions didn't go all the way. If you were watching that game, you likely recall several controversial officiating calls that helped the Seahawks.

Schefter says, "Multiple sources told ESPN that the Rams were upset by the officiating, the Lions were bothered by it and the competition committee was frustrated by it. The calls benefited the Seahawks, hurt the Rams and ultimately impacted the Lions, who needed Seattle to lose in order to have a chance to claim the NFC's final wild-card spot."

He writes, "'The Lions should be livid,' one source told ESPN. 'It was an awful way for them to end their season.'" Wow. He also writes that, "Even the NFL's competition committee is aware of what one source described to ESPN 'as the worst officiated game of the year.'" What do you think? Reach out to me on Facebook and let me know.